Caffeine-Free Pepsi
Encyclopedia
Caffeine-Free Pepsi-Cola was introduced, under the brand name Pepsi Free, in 1982 by PepsiCo
as the first major-brand caffeine
-free cola
in years. (The Canada Dry Company had marketed "Sport Cola," which was also caffeine-free, in the 1960s, but that brand of cola was not a success.) A sugar
-free variant, then known as Diet Pepsi Free, was also introduced. The Pepsi Free name itself was phased out in 1987, two years after the brand name became the punchline of one of the jokes in Back to the Future
, and today these colas are known simply as Caffeine-Free Pepsi and Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi. The term "Free" had been reintroduced by Pepsico
on their Sierra Mist
line in response to Coca-Cola's successful introduction of their Zero line (although the "Free" refers to a lack of sugar rather than caffeine, since Sierra Mist is already caffeine-free), though in 2008 that drink had reverted to its previous name of Diet Sierra Mist.
. Upon entering a café in 1955, Marty McFly
(Michael J. Fox
) asks for a TaB
(Coca-Cola
's first version of a sugar-free soft drink, which was not available until 1963) and is told that he cannot have a "tab
", meaning an account where goods are sold on the basis of credit and not paid for immediately, unless he orders something. He then asks for a Pepsi Free and is told, "If you want a Pepsi, pal, you're gonna pay for it!" ("Free" is here being mistaken for gratis
.) Finally, he asks for "something without any sugar in it," and is served black coffee
. This scene was one of the factors that led to Pepsico re-branding the cola .
A can of Diet Pepsi Free can be seen beside Marty's alarm clock towards the beginning of the movie when Doc
(Christopher Lloyd
) calls him to remind him to meet him at the mall. The can is also seen toward the end of the movie when Marty wakes up the morning after Doc drops him off at his house in 1985.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
as the first major-brand caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
-free cola
Cola
Cola is a carbonated beverage that was typically flavored by the kola nut as well as vanilla and other flavorings, however, some colas are now flavored artificially. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886...
in years. (The Canada Dry Company had marketed "Sport Cola," which was also caffeine-free, in the 1960s, but that brand of cola was not a success.) A sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
-free variant, then known as Diet Pepsi Free, was also introduced. The Pepsi Free name itself was phased out in 1987, two years after the brand name became the punchline of one of the jokes in Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
, and today these colas are known simply as Caffeine-Free Pepsi and Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi. The term "Free" had been reintroduced by Pepsico
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
on their Sierra Mist
Sierra Mist
Sierra Mist is a lemon-lime flavored caffeine-free soft drink, introduced by PepsiCo in 2000 and rolled out nationally in the United States in 2003. PepsiCo owns the rights to the similar 7 Up brand outside the U.S...
line in response to Coca-Cola's successful introduction of their Zero line (although the "Free" refers to a lack of sugar rather than caffeine, since Sierra Mist is already caffeine-free), though in 2008 that drink had reverted to its previous name of Diet Sierra Mist.
Background
When first introduced, Pepsi Caffeine Free background was originally red, then changed to gold in 1987. As part of Pepsi's redesigning their background in 1998 with the blue ocean background, Pepsi Caffeine Free joined right in. In 2008, the caffeine free version has reverted to its gold background.In popular culture
Pepsi Free was the subject of a scene in the classic 1985 film Back to the FutureBack to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
. Upon entering a café in 1955, Marty McFly
Marty McFly
Martin Seamus "Marty" McFly, Sr. is the protagonist in the Back to the Future film trilogy, and is portrayed by actor Michael J. Fox. Marty was also the protagonist in the animated series where he was voiced by David Kaufman...
(Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox, OC is a Canadian American actor, author, producer, activist and voice-over artist. With a film and television career spanning from the late 1970s, Fox's roles have included Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy ; Alex P...
) asks for a TaB
Tab (soft drink)
Tab, stylized as TaB, is a diet cola soft drink produced by the Coca-Cola Company, first introduced in 1963. The soda was created by Coca Cola after the successful sales and marketing of Diet Rite cola, owned by The Royal Crown Company; previously, Diet Rite had been the only sugarless soda on the...
(Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer, retailer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. The company is best known for its flagship product Coca-Cola, invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia...
's first version of a sugar-free soft drink, which was not available until 1963) and is told that he cannot have a "tab
Bill (payment)
A bill or invoice is a document requesting payment for an order previously supplied. Presentation of a bill is common practice on the part of credit card companies, utilities, and other service providers...
", meaning an account where goods are sold on the basis of credit and not paid for immediately, unless he orders something. He then asks for a Pepsi Free and is told, "If you want a Pepsi, pal, you're gonna pay for it!" ("Free" is here being mistaken for gratis
Gratis
Gratis is the process of providing goods or services without compensation. It is often referred to in English as "free of charge" or "complimentary"...
.) Finally, he asks for "something without any sugar in it," and is served black coffee
Black Coffee
Black coffee may refer to:* Coffee, served as a beverage without cream or milk-Music:* "Black Coffee" , written by Sonny Burke, the lyrics by Paul Francis Webster* Black Coffee , 1956...
. This scene was one of the factors that led to Pepsico re-branding the cola .
A can of Diet Pepsi Free can be seen beside Marty's alarm clock towards the beginning of the movie when Doc
Emmett Brown
Doctor Emmett Lathrop "Doc" Brown, Ph.D. is a fictional character and one of the lead characters in the Back to the Future film trilogy, in which he is the inventor of the first time machine, which he builds out of a DeLorean sports car...
(Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor. He is best known for playing Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, and Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He played Reverend Jim Ignatowski in the television series Taxi and more...
) calls him to remind him to meet him at the mall. The can is also seen toward the end of the movie when Marty wakes up the morning after Doc drops him off at his house in 1985.
See also
- PepsiPepsiPepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
- List of Pepsi variations
- Pepsi StuffPepsi StuffPepsi Stuff was a major loyalty program launched by PepsiCo, first in North America on March 28, 1996 and then around the world, featuring premiums — such as T-shirts, hats, denim and leather jackets, bags and mountain bikes — that could be purchased with Pepsi Points through the Pepsi Stuff...
- Like ColaLike ColaLike Cola was an unsuccessful cola soft drink, introduced by the 7 Up company , that appeared on the American market in 1982. Its slogan was "Made From The Cola Nut." Like Cola was one of the first attempts at a cola without caffeine. It was packaged in a red and blue can...
- Soft drinkSoft drinkA soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...