Honestly, if you walked into a gas station three years ago and asked for a Starry, the clerk would’ve probably thought you were looking for a new flavor of Orbit gum. Fast forward to now, and it’s basically everywhere. PepsiCo finally pulled the plug on Sierra Mist in early 2023—RIP to a real one—and went all-in on this bright, neon-green newcomer.
But here’s the thing: Starry isn't just a lone wolf. It’s part of a massive, bubbling ecosystem of lemon-lime heavyweights and niche challengers. When we talk about starry drink related brands, we’re looking at a war for your taste buds that’s been going on since your grandparents were kids. It’s a fight for "crispness," whatever that actually means in a lab.
The Big Three: Starry, Sprite, and the 7 Up Factor
You can’t talk about Starry without mentioning the giant green shadow it lives in: Sprite. Owned by Coca-Cola, Sprite is the king. It has been since the 60s. For decades, Pepsi tried to beat Sprite with Sierra Mist, but it just didn't have that "bite." Starry was engineered specifically to be "sharper" and "more citrus-forward."
Then there’s 7 Up. It’s the weird middle child of the soda world. In the U.S., it’s handled by Keurig Dr Pepper, but internationally, Pepsi actually distributes it. This creates a bizarre situation where Pepsi is technically competing against itself in different parts of the world.
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Why the name change actually happened
Social media loves a good conspiracy. There was a rumor floating around TikTok that Pepsi lost a lawsuit to an influencer named Cierra Mistt and had to change the name. Total fiction.
The real reason? Sierra Mist was dying. By 2022, it had a measly 0.1% market share. Sprite was sitting pretty at around 7%. Pepsi didn't lose a court case; they were just losing money. They needed something that didn't sound like a retirement community in the mountains. They needed "Starry."
The "Healthier" Challengers and Niche Brands
If you're not into the high-fructose corn syrup life, the starry drink related brands list gets a lot more interesting.
- Zevia Lemon Lime Twist: This is the one for people who want zero calories but hate aspartame. It uses stevia. Honestly? It’s an acquired taste. Some people love it; others think it tastes like a wet leaf.
- Olipop and Poppi: These are the "prebiotic" sodas you see all over Instagram. They have a lemon-lime version that tries to bridge the gap between "healthy tonic" and "guilty pleasure."
- Bubble Up: A total throwback. It’s been around since 1919. You usually only find it in specialty shops or Cracker Barrels, but it’s the OG lemon-lime soda.
What’s actually inside the can?
The recipe for Starry is a bit of a departure from Sierra Mist. Sierra Mist’s whole identity was "Real Sugar." It was a point of pride.
Starry ditched the cane sugar for high-fructose corn syrup. Why? Because HFCS gives that specific mouthfeel and "syrupy" sweetness that matches Sprite more closely. Pepsi realized that while "real sugar" sounds better on a label, people who buy lemon-lime soda actually want that sharp, stinging sweetness that cuts through a heavy meal.
It’s also caffeine-free. That’s a huge part of why these brands are so popular for kids—or for that 11:00 PM taco run when you don't want to be awake until Tuesday.
The Global "Alt" Scene
If you travel, the starry drink related brands you run into get pretty wild.
In India, you’ve got Limca. It’s cloudy, way more tart, and honestly more refreshing than anything we have in the States. In Japan, there’s Mitsuya Cider, which isn't apple cider at all—it’s a crystal-clear, refreshing lemon-lime drink that’s been around for over 130 years.
Is Starry actually winning?
Early data suggests Starry is doing way better than Sierra Mist ever did. It managed to grab about 5.3% of the market in its first year. That’s huge. But it’s still playing catch-up. Sprite recently overtook Pepsi (the cola) to become the #3 soda in America. People are moving away from dark colas and toward clear, citrusy stuff.
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Whether you think Starry "hits different" or just tastes like a carbonated lemon drop, it’s clear that PepsiCo finally found a brand that people actually remember.
Your Next Steps
If you're looking to branch out from the standard Starry or Sprite, try a blind taste test. Grab a Starry, a Sprite, a 7 Up, and maybe a store brand like Great Value Twist Up. You’d be surprised how much your brain relies on the logo rather than the liquid. Most people can't actually tell the difference once the cans are hidden, but the ones who can usually swear by the "crispness" of Starry.
Also, if you're watching your sugar, compare Starry Zero Sugar to Sprite Zero. Starry's version is widely considered to have a smoother finish without that weird lingering chemical aftertaste that some diet sodas have.