What’s So ‘Baja’ About Baja Blast? (2024)

Praise the Lord and pass the boogie board: MTN DEW Baja Blast is back on store shelves as of this week. Like the rest of the world, The Takeout is obsessed with this flavor, which originated as an exclusive MTN DEW/Taco Bell partnership and spawned an ever-growing line of other exclusive partnerships, like the newly-launched MTN DEW Purple Thunder. But good relationships are built on curiosity, and our staff’s curiosity led us to a MTN DEW quagmire this morning: What is a “Baja” flavor, exactly?

Watch

Does This Dr. Pepper Really Taste Like Bourbon?November 10, 2022
The Takeout Tries Truly Vodka Seltzer for the First TimeDecember 19, 2022

What makes a flavor “Baja?”

Per a press release sent to The Takeout, MTN DEW has declared 2022 “the Summer of Baja.” The brand is bringing Baja Blast to most major retailers, in addition to Baja Blast Zero Sugar, a Baja Blast energy drink, and two more “Baja-inspired” flavors: MTN DEW Baja Mango Gem and MTN DEW Baja Gold, the later of which features “a bright island pineapple flavor.” (Baja California is more of a peninsula, but okay.)

Advertisement

All of these drinks sound delicious—but what characterizes a “baja” flavor beyond a vague suggestion of peninsular vibes? Rather than frantically Google “WHAT MEANS BAJA,” I started at the source: a MTN DEW spokesperson. They told me the following via email:

“Baja Mango Gem, Baja Deep Dive and Baja Gold lean into the tropical nature of the original Baja flavor, while giving back to DEW Nation’s love of trying new ones.”

Advertisement

Well. Alright. Unfortunately, that doesn’t tell me much about the innate Baja-ness of Baja Blast. I get it, I get it; MTN DEW can’t reveal its flavor secrets. Alas, that leaves us to speculate.

Let’s start with the origins of Baja Blast. Baja Blast was first released in early August 2004 as an exclusive partnership with U.S. Taco Bell locations. Per a CNN article published at the time of the beverage’s release, the drink’s “Mexican-inspired tropical lime flavor” was formulated specifically to pair with Taco Bell’s menu.

Advertisement

But why “Baja?” I understand the appeal of product alliteration—but how Baja is this Blast, anyway?

How Baja Blast compares with actual Baja flavors

Baja Blast is named for Baja California, a Mexican state off the southern coast of California. (Baja Blast is not to be confused with Baha Men, a Bahamian band that formed in New Providence, Bahamas, though both Baja Blast and Baha Men continue to delight.) But does the soda’s tropical lime flavor actually connect to Baja California’s rich culinary delights?

Advertisement

Eh, no. Not really. For one thing, limes didn’t originate in Mexico. You may have heard of the Mexican lime, which is a real thing—but it’s actually believed to have originated in the Indo-Malayan region. Perdue University’s horticultural department cites a 1987 paper explaining that the lime was “unknown in Europe before the Crusades,” though it was cultivated in parts of Europe by the mid-13th Century. The author adds that the lime was “undoubtedly introduced into the Caribbean islands and Mexico by the Spaniards, for it was reportedly commonly grown in Haiti in 1520.” Since then, it’s become naturalized in parts of the West Indies and Mexico.

But the drink is called Baja Blast, not Indo-Malayan Blast. So are there other elements of Baja California’s flavors incorporated into the beloved soda? To find out, I took a quick spin through the culinary internet to acquaint myself with the region’s favorite flavors.

Advertisement

There’s savory machaca, a traditionally dried meat that incorporates beef, pork—even stingray. Speaking of seafood: Baja California has plenty, offering up pan-fried lobster as a popular choice. (Puerto Nuevo, a seaside village just south of San Diego, is famous for being the “Lobster Capital of Baja.”) The region also has a rich culinary connection to sea turtles, as outlined in this article by anthropologist and marine biologist Michelle María Early Capistrán. Finally, Baja California has peppers aplenty, with bountiful crops that include the ubiquitous Anaheim and jalapeño peppers. And while Baja Blast does have a bit of a kick to it, it’s certainly not that kind of kick.

So, is there anything truly Baja about Baja Blast? Other than the product’s vague association with Mexican food, I’d say no. There is, however, a whole world of Baja Californian cuisine out there, drawing you in with the promise of buttery pan-fried lobster and zingy machaca. If you live in Southern California, you’re only a short drive away. Feel free to chug a Baja Blast en route.

Advertisement

What’s So ‘Baja’ About Baja Blast? (2024)

FAQs

What is special about Baja Blast? ›

Some sources say Baja Blast is regular Mountain Dew spiked with lime. The official word comes from PepsiCo, which says it is a "cult favorite" with a "legendary Tropical Lime flavor," which would explain the tropical-beach-ideation-producing "Baja" in the drink's title.

What does Baja mean in Baja Blast? ›

Baja Blast is named for Baja California, a Mexican state off the southern coast of California.

How long will Baja Blast be in stores 2024? ›

Mountain Dew Baja Blast, the popular beverage once sold exclusively at Taco Bell, will be sold in stores nationwide this month and, for the first time, will be available throughout all of 2024.

What flavor actually is Baja Blast? ›

Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavored soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants. Since the original flavor's launch in 2004, the Baja Blast brand has since expanded to include new flavors, alcoholic beverages, and energy drinks, as well as merchandise.

How unhealthy is the Baja Blast? ›

It is a sugary soft drink that is high in calories and contains added artificial sweeteners. The main reason why a Baja Blast is unhealthy is due to its sugar content. There are 59 grams of sugar for a 16 ounce drink. According to AHA, The recommended amount per day is around 36 grams maximum.

Who is the Baja Blast girl? ›

Wow!' ”Aubrey Plaza began with an excited smile and laugh when discussing the call she received to be in a Super Bowl commercial for Mountain Dew Baja Blast. “I must've done something right this year.” It was an opposite retort of what fans of the “Parks and Rec” deadpan delight would typically expect.

Why is Baja Blast only at Taco Bell? ›

The reason for this exclusivity is due to a partnership between Taco Bell and PepsiCo, which is the parent company of Mountain Dew. The companies have an agreement that allows Taco Bell to offer Mountain Dew Baja Blast as a menu item that is only available at its restaurants.

Will Baja Blast become permanent? ›

The drink has been a recurring staple of Mountain Dew's retail lineup ever since, frequently releasing as part of their summer lineup, plus turned into a permanent flavor in January 2024.

Is Baja Blast being discontinued? ›

Mountain Dew Announces Fan-Favorite Flavor Will Be Permanent for 2024. Mountain Dew is starting the new year off strong. Mountain Dew's Baja Blast will officially be a permanent offering at grocery store chains and small businesses nationwide in 2024. The fan-favorite flavor was created in 2004 as a Taco Bell exclusive ...

Is Taco Bell the only place with Baja Blast? ›

To mark its 20th anniversary, the beloved beverage will now be available beyond the taco chain, at retail stores nationwide all year long. It looks like 2024 (welcome to it) is going to be a big year for fans of Mountain Dew Baja Blast.

What flavor is Mt Dew? ›

Description. Original Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored soda. The soft drink is unique because it includes a small amount of orange juice.

Is Baja Blast green or blue? ›

During Sunday's Super Bowl, a commercial for Baja Blast, the mystery-citrus-flavored, turquoise-hued Mountain Dew variety, featured one of the evening's better examples of celebrity casting.

What flavor is code red? ›

Mountain Dew Code Red is a cherry-flavored carbonated soft drink that was introduced in 2001 as a flavor extension of the original Mountain Dew.

How is Baja Blast different from Mountain Dew? ›

Some sources say Baja Blast is regular Mountain Dew spiked with lime. The official word comes from PepsiCo, which says it is a "cult favorite" with a "legendary Tropical Lime flavor," which would explain the tropical-beach-ideation-producing "Baja" in the drink's title.

Why does Baja Blast only at Taco Bell? ›

The Exclusive Scoop on Baja Blast

Mountain Dew Baja Blast was specifically designed to complement the bold, savory flavors of Taco Bell's menu. This tropical-lime flavored drink hit Taco Bell's menu in 2004 and quickly became a fan favorite.

Is Baja Blast an energy drink? ›

25 calories and 180mg caffeine per can gives this energy drink the same caffeine equal to approximately two cups of coffee.

Is Baja Blast really Powerade and Mountain Dew? ›

Internet lore says it does, with one Reddit post from the 20-teens insisting the secret formula is 85% Mountain Dew to 15% blue Powerade (berry flavor isn't specified, but Mountain Berry Blast and Zero Mixed Berry are the only blue hues in the current Powerade lineup).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 5833

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.