I was thrilled when a can of Mountain Dew Baja Leo Zero Sugar showed up at home on Monday ahead of its release later this week. I carefully put this precious cargo into my fridge so it would be perfectly chilled for a review after our daughter went to bed.
You’re probably thinking, Bill, what is Mountain Dew Baja Leo Zero Sugar? Good question. I was wondering that exact same thing when I first saw this new Baja variant pop up on social media.
It turns out Mountain Dew Baja Blast — the iconic Dew flavor that began its life as a Taco Bell exclusive before escaping to stores and even pies — has a birthday. That birthday is July 29, 2004. Which makes Baja Blast a Leo.
“Baja Leo is a limited-edition, zodiac-inspired release wrapped in collectible cosmic artwork and featuring a flavor that brings Leo’s signature traits to life,” read Mountain Dew’s announcement of Baja Leo. “Its flavor combination is bold, dramatic spiced mango up front with a chili-lime kick and a hint of black pepper on the finish.”
Yes, a spicy Mountain Dew.
Or so I was told ...
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What it costs
I don’t have a price for Mountain Dew Baja Leo Zero Sugar. That’s because I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to buy this soda by itself. Instead, you’re going to have to chase the Baja Blast Birthday Bundle — a 12-pack of Baja Blast with a single can of Baja Leo — when it goes live on the TikTok Shop on Aug. 12 at 12 p.m. ET.
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In addition to being no stranger to the many varieties of Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, I’ve also eaten my fair share of spicy food for Snackology. I’ve snacked on spicy Skittles, spicy Trolli Crawlers, spicy Taco Bell, spicy noodles, even spicy beer — but this would be the first time I’ve tried a spicy soda for the newsletter.
Before I cracked open my lone can of Baja Leo, I took a moment to admire the label. Like with Mountain Dew Baja Cabo, this flavor absolutely honors its Baja Blast roots while still finding a way to craft its own identity.
The can also makes sure everyone knows that Baja Blast is a “certified Leo baby.”
Fully prepared to be hit with the one-two punch of chili lime and black pepper, I took my first sip of Mountain Dew Baja Leo Zero Sugar.
Mango.
I tasted only mango. A delicious, somewhat juicy mango version of Baja Blast. But still only mango.
With each passing sip, I tried to convince myself that maybe this was the kind of heat that would build. More sips. Bigger sips. Waiting, waiting, waiting ...
I finished my glass of Baja Leo while maybe getting the slightest taste of black pepper. But it definitely wasn’t the “undeniable” presence that Mountain Dew promised.
If you’re looking for a Mountain Dew flavor with a spicy kick, you’re going to be disappointed by Baja Leo. But if the thought of a mango-forward version of Baja Blast is something that gets your taste buds cranking, then you absolutely need to try to pick up a can of your own when this soda goes live on Wednesday.
The Omnicosm founder. Snackology, Popculturology and The Cold Open writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
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