For decades, soda lovers have enjoyed citrus-flavored beverages, with Sprite leading the pack in popularity. PepsiCo’s attempt to compete was Sierra Mist, introduced in 1999. However, the brand was discontinued in 2023 and replaced with Starry, sparking numerous rumors online. Among the most persistent claims is that Sierra Mist was discontinued because PepsiCo lost its trademark rights. This article dives deep into the Sierra Mist trademark, the reasons for the soda’s discontinuation, and its legacy.
Did Sierra Mist Really Lose Its Trademark?
Contrary to viral claims, PepsiCo never lost its Sierra Mist trademark. The company still holds valid registrations, meaning the brand name is legally protected. Trademarks don’t expire simply because a product is taken off the shelves. Instead, they remain active as long as the brand owner maintains them.
The confusion likely stemmed from a viral rumor involving an online influencer named “Cierra Mist,” leading many to speculate PepsiCo had been forced to drop the name. In reality, there has been no legal battle, lawsuit, or court order requiring Pepsi to abandon Sierra Mist. The decision to discontinue the soda was purely strategic.
Why Did They Change Sierra Mist to Starry?
PepsiCo rebranded Sierra Mist as Starry in 2023 to better compete with Coca-Cola’s Sprite. After years of underperformance in the lemon-lime soda market, Pepsi recognized Sierra Mist had lost traction and brand identity.
The new name, Starry, was chosen to resonate more with Gen Z consumers, emphasizing freshness, bold branding, and crisp taste. Rather than “renaming” Sierra Mist, Pepsi opted for a complete replacement and a new marketing approach.
What Brand Owns Sierra Mist?
PepsiCo owns Sierra Mist. The soda was launched in 1999, positioning itself as the company’s flagship lemon-lime beverage. Over its lifetime, it underwent several rebrands, formula changes, and marketing experiments before its discontinuation.
Why Was Sierra Mist Soda Discontinued?
Sierra Mist was discontinued because it failed to capture a significant share of the lemon-lime soda market. Sprite dominated the category, while Sierra Mist consistently underperformed despite multiple reformulations.
PepsiCo concluded that starting fresh with Starry was a better business strategy than trying to fix a brand that had already struggled for more than two decades.
Did Pepsi Really Sue the “Cierra Mist”?
One of the strangest rumors to emerge was that Pepsi sued an influencer named Cierra Mist, and this trademark conflict forced the company to discontinue Sierra Mist. This claim, however, is false. No court records or trademark filings support the story.
Instead, Pepsi’s decision was rooted in sales performance and branding strategy—not a lawsuit.
Why Did Sierra Mist Fail?
Sierra Mist failed for several reasons:
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Lack of Brand Identity – Sprite’s branding as crisp, refreshing, and tied to hip-hop culture gave it a unique edge. Sierra Mist never developed a strong cultural identity.
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Frequent Formula Changes – Switching from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar, experimenting with stevia, and temporary rebranding as Mist Twst confused consumers.
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Weak Marketing – PepsiCo never fully committed to making Sierra Mist the household name Sprite had become.
Ultimately, these factors combined to prevent Sierra Mist from gaining lasting success.
Is Sierra Mist Starry Now?
Not exactly. Sierra Mist wasn’t renamed—it was replaced. Starry is a completely new soda brand that fills PepsiCo’s lemon-lime category. While consumers may see Starry as Sierra Mist’s successor, the two are distinct products.
Can You Still Buy Sierra Mist?
No. Sierra Mist has been discontinued since January 2023. While old stock may occasionally appear online or in niche retailers, PepsiCo no longer manufactures or distributes it.
Did Sierra Mist Have Real Sugar?
Yes, but only in later years. Originally, Sierra Mist was sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). In 2010, PepsiCo reformulated it with cane sugar, branding it as more natural. Later, the brand experimented with stevia in a low-calorie version, which was unpopular. Eventually, it returned to cane sugar before being discontinued.
What Did Pepsi Have Before Sierra Mist?
Before Sierra Mist, PepsiCo’s lemon-lime sodas included:
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Slice (1984–1999) – A fruit-flavored soda line that included a lemon-lime version.
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Storm (mid-1990s) – A short-lived lemon-lime soda that failed to compete with Sprite.
Sierra Mist officially replaced both, becoming PepsiCo’s flagship citrus soda until 2023.
Is Sierra Mist Gone Forever?
Yes. While Pepsi still owns the trademark, the brand has been retired indefinitely. There are no public plans to bring it back. Instead, Starry is PepsiCo’s focus moving forward.
Why Did Sierra Mist Stop Selling?
The soda was pulled from shelves because it simply didn’t sell well enough. PepsiCo acknowledged that despite two decades of effort, Sierra Mist couldn’t break Sprite’s dominance. Launching Starry was a way to refresh consumer interest.
What Does Sierra Mist Taste Like?
Sierra Mist was known for its light, crisp, and sweet citrus flavor. Some versions leaned more sugary, while later cane sugar versions offered a cleaner taste. The stevia edition was criticized for being overly artificial.
By contrast, Starry is more citrus-forward, sharper, and designed to taste closer to Sprite.
What Was Sierra Mist Called Before 1999?
Sierra Mist did not exist before 1999. PepsiCo’s lemon-lime sodas before then were Slice and Storm. Sierra Mist was a completely new brand launched at the end of the decade.
Why Did They Rename Sierra Mist Starry?
This is a misconception. Pepsi didn’t rename Sierra Mist—it discontinued it. Starry is a new product with a distinct formula and branding.
Is Sierra Mist Banned?
No. Sierra Mist wasn’t banned. It was voluntarily discontinued by PepsiCo due to low sales and lack of consumer connection.
Conclusion
The Sierra Mist trademark remains safely in PepsiCo’s hands, despite false claims that the company lost it. The soda was discontinued in 2023 not because of lawsuits or bans, but because it failed to compete with Sprite. In its place, Pepsi introduced Starry, a crisp, lemon-lime soda aimed at capturing younger consumers.
Though Sierra Mist is gone, it remains part of soda history—a reminder of how even giant corporations struggle to dethrone cultural icons. Whether Starry succeeds where Sierra Mist failed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sierra Mist will always hold nostalgic value for fans who loved its refreshing citrus taste.
In the end, PepsiCo’s decision shows the importance of branding, market identity, and consumer loyalty in the soda industry.
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