Pepsi Throwback

You may have noticed the recent Pepsi commercials where they're now selling the "Throwback" version, made with "natural sugar," and with the older (original?) Pepsi formula.

So, what's the big deal? Well, for years now, Pepsi (along with many other major soft drink brands) have been sweetening their drinks with high fructose corn syrup, instead of regular sugar. It is the belief of many that drinks made with sugar, instead of high fructose corn syrup, taste better.

As you can see, the current version of Pepsi is made with:

• Carbonated water
• High fructose corn syrup
• Caramel Color
• Sugar
• Phosphoric acid
• Caffeine
• Citric acid
• Natural flavor

It actually does still have regular sugar in it, but obviously not as much as high fructose corn syrup.

Since it's been ages since I've had Pepsi that's not made with high fructose corn syrup, I don't remember what the "original" Pepsi tastes like, and I'm certainly curious to see if I'd like the "original" better.

Pepsi Throwback is made with:

• Carbonated water
• Sugar
• Caramel color
• Phosphoric acid
• Caffeine
• Natural flavor

Now, when they say "natural sugar" in the commercial, they mean beet and cane sugar. So aside from using all sugar instead of any high fructose corn syrup, Pepsi Throwback is also missing citric acid.


So, how is it? Well, it has a "cleaner" taste... there's no after taste. I sort of miss the subtle lemony flavor of the citric acid, but the other subtle taste that's there in its place is not bad, either. Overall, I like it, although it doesn't seem to be definitively better. I'll continue to buy Pepsi Throwback instead of regular Pepsi while it's available.