Baseball is a game of rules. A game of tradition. A game of honor. (You better not celebrate hitting a massive home run.) Which is why it makes perfect sense that MLB and PepsiCo announced last week that Mountain Dew Baja Blast is now the official soft drink of the 2026 season.
“Mountain Dew Baja Blast brings the same electrifying energy to baseball that fans feel with every sip of our tropical citrus soda — whether it’s at first pitch, during a seventh inning stretch, or in the middle of a late game rally,” PepsiCo exec Mark Kirkham said in the announcement of the partnership. “As the official soft drink sponsor of MLB, we’re excited to fuel fans’ passion for the game all season long.”
Back to that “you better not celebrate hitting a massive home run” bit for a second. During the season of Baja Blast, “Mountain Dew will roll out a season-long promotion tied to the biggest home runs in the game. The ‘Get a Baja for a Blast’ program will turn long-distance home runs into product rewards,” with more details to come.
Some old-school pitcher is absolutely going to throw at a batter after he chugs a Baja Blast to celebrate a grand slam.
But I need Baja Blast to part of baseball’s celebrations.
Dodgers players better be dumping vats of the soda on Dave Roberts after Los Angeles wins its third straight World Series in the fall. (Let’s be real though — MLB is heading towards a lockout all because the Dodgers were the first team to figure out that you can sign star players for ridiculous amounts of money but just promise to pay them someday.) Let’s get a giant Baja Blast mascot that rivals the brilliant Pop-Tarts Edible Mascots.
Before you dive into this edition of Snack Chat, today also marks the return of Capri Sun’s lunar-themed juice pouches, with Capri Sun Blood Moon Punch going live. You can head over to moon-punch.com to try to win a carton of the juice before it hits shelves. Last year’s Capri Sun Moon Punch was a fun release, and our daughter still brings up the time we had “moon juice.”
You know what your house is missing? An Oreo Puffs Cereal-branded mini fridge that pours only milk. I’m a big fan of Oreo Puffs Cereal, and with only three of these fridges in existence, I definitely should try to win one.
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McDonald’s Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. / McDonald’s
Fast food
Feeling lucky? McDonald’s brings back Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry(McDonald’s): “Looking for something sweet to sip after a meal? The Shamrock Shake, made with our classic vanilla soft serve, blended with Shamrock syrup and topped with whipped cream, offers the perfect pairing. Or are you looking for some minty magic with a cookie twist? The Oreo Shamrock McFlurry combines our classic vanilla soft serve with Shamrock syrup and Oreo cookie pieces mixed in.”
McDonald’s Launches Its Boldest Burger Yet(McDonald’s): “Introducing the Big Arch Burger: a premium flavor experience that delivers BIG with every bite. It’s our “most McDonald’s, McDonald’s burger” yet — a love letter to fans who simply can’t get enough — and features a dream team of mouth-watering ingredients ...”
The Iconic Duo Returns: Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Is Back with All-New Frosty Fusion(Wendy’s): “‘We're thrilled to be teaming up with Wendy's once again to celebrate two icons coming together — the beloved Frosty and now the Frosty Fusion — in a way that delights fans and supports our girls,’ said Wendy Lou, chief revenue officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. ‘What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that Wendy's restaurants are also opening their doors to Girl Scouts, giving troops space to sell cookies, connect with their communities and build the skills that help them reach their goals.’”
Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas Hit Taco Bell Menus Giving a Familiar Flavor a Street Taco Twist(PR Newswire): “Known for reinventing familiar flavors through unexpected formats, Taco Bell pairs the beloved Chicken Bacon Ranch combo with one of its best-selling innovations, Cheesy Street Chalupas, a format that cements its cult following with every return. The result: comfort food nostalgia, with a bold, modern twist that only Taco Bell could deliver.”
KFC Brings Back the Fan-Favorite Twister and Launches New $20 Customizable Bucket(PR Newswire): “KFC is expanding how guests can order across occasions with the return of the Twister and the debut of the $20 Build a Bucket, a new bundle designed for sharing and variety. Together, the two offerings make it easier to enjoy KFC whether you’re grabbing something for yourself or feeding a crowd.”
Qdoba Turns Full Moons into Free Queso and Chips for 2026(PR Newswire): “Stargazers have long suspected the moon is made of cheese — and Qdoba is finally making that a reality! This year, guests can enjoy Qdoba’s beloved Signature 3-Cheese Queso or Queso Diablo and Chips for free during every monthly full moon, no telescope required.”
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Cherry Float, Coca-Cola Cherry Float and Diet Coke Cherry. / Coca-Cola
Mr. Pibb Drops 2 Bold New Flavors: “Mr. Pibb is turning up the flavor! The Coca-Cola Company’s iconic spiced cherry-flavored soft drink is introducing two new twists on its signature taste: Punchin’ Peach and Thrillin’ Vanilla. ... Rooted in Mr. Pibb’s distinctive spicy cherry base, Punchin’ Peach introduces vibrant peach notes for a bright, fruitier profile, while Thrillin’ Vanilla incorporates smooth vanilla for a layered, indulgent finish.”
Pepsi Prebiotic Cola now available nationwide in store and online(PepsiC0): “Pepsi Prebiotic Cola delivers the ‘Unbelievably Pepsi’ taste people love, now with functional ingredients that reflect today’s modern beverage preferences. Available in Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla, Pepsi Prebiotic Cola contains no artificial sweeteners, just 30 calories, only 5g of sugar, and 3g prebiotic fiber — all without compromising the iconic Pepsi taste that consumers love.”
Keurig Dr Pepper Announces Flavorful New Innovation Across Its Refreshment Portfolio(PR Newswire): “From dirty soda culture to throwback sips, playful concoctions and ‘newstalgia’ are helping consumers make the most of every moment. This year's lineup leans into that energy with limited-time drops of bold, indulgent flavor mashups that feel familiar yet fresh, perfectly timed for summer moments and seasonal celebrations.”
ALSO FROM THE OMNICOSM
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Hershey’s Team USA Milk Chocolate Medals. / Hershey’s
Cookies and candy
Hershey’s Invites Fans to Celebrate Everyday Moments of Happiness as the “Real Gold” with Hershey’s Team USA Milk Chocolate Medals(PR Newswire): “The iconic Hershey’s brand, as a Proud Supporter of Team USA, is inviting fans to celebrate happiness with the launch of limited-edition chocolate medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The chocolate medals, crafted with embossed designs and wrapped in gold foil, coincide with the first chapter of the brand’s new campaign, ‘Hershey’s. It’s Your Happy Place.’”
Introducing the Marvel Oreo Stuf of Doom Cookies: The Culmination of Marvel and the Oreo Brand’s Iconic Collaboration(PR Newswire): “The Marvel Oreo Stuf of Doom Cookies introduce a new Masked Decadence flavor with chocolate graham and toasted marshmallow-flavored creme and features an embossment of Doctor Doom’s infamous mask. Like the Marvel Oreo Stuf of Legends Cookies, the Marvel Oreo Stuf of Doom Cookie Packs include the Oreo brand's innovative color-changing technology, with a black creme that turns your tongue Doom’s signature green when you lick it.”
Brownie Brittle and Dunkin’ Have the Edge on Sweet Snacking with New Coffee & Donut Flavors(PR Newswire): “Brownie Brittle, the original crunchy brownie snack, has teamed up with Dunkin’, America’s largest coffee and donut brand, to deliver a collaboration that’s as sweet as it is iconic. Introducing Dunkin’ Sprinkled Donut Blondie Brittle and Dunkin' Mocha Latte Brownie Brittle — two crave-worthy flavors inspired by Dunkin’ favorites”
New Butterfinger French Toast Makes Every Bite Feel Like Brunch — No Reservation Needed!(PR Newswire): “Butterfinger fans, your patience has paid off. After months of speculation and social media buzz, Butterfinger is officially confirming what fans have been whispering about: Butterfinger French Toast is real and it's now hitting shelves. This limited-time flavor marks Butterfinger's third innovation in the past year, building on a portfolio of elevated and nostalgic flavors like Salted Caramel and Marshmallow. But this time, the brand is taking on brunch and rewriting the rules.”
Little Debbie Makes Every Day a Celebration with New Single-Serve Birthday Cake(PR Newswire): “‘We wanted to capture the pure, unbridled joy of a birthday party and make it accessible anytime, anywhere,’ said Chuck Clevenger, associate brand manager at McKee Foods. ‘By moving to this new single-serve hex shape, we’re offering a premium, standalone treat that's perfect for those “just because” celebrations.’”
A New Hostess Spring Snack Lineup Is On The Way & Fans Are Already Calling Dibs(Sean Abrams, Delish): “Food blogger @markie_devo posted that Hostess has a mix of new and returning treats ‘heading to stores soon,’ including new Churro Mini Donettes and new Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cakes. And because it’s apparently illegal for spring to arrive without at least one Peeps collaboration, the post also teased a Frosted Golden Cake cupcake with marshmallow filling and icing.”
Turkey Hill and Entenmann’s Ice Cream. / Turkey Hill
And more!
A Sweet Collaboration: Turkey Hill and Entenmann’s Bring Classic Baked Goods to the Freezer Aisle(PR Newswire): “Two of Northeast’s most beloved brands are teaming up for a delicious collaboration. Turkey Hill and Entenmann’s are proud to introduce two new flavors inspired by Entenmann's fan favorite baked goods: Entenmann’s Soft-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies and Little Bites Fudge Brownies. Designed to deliver the comforting flavors fans know and love in a new, frozen format, the new varieties offer a fresh take on classic treats.”
Go Bananas for the New Brr-Nana Slurpee Drink at 7-Eleven, Inc.(PR Newswire): “Blending creamy banana taste with a cool, icy finish, the Brr-Nana Slurpee drink is a new take on a classic, delighting fans who have been waiting for the return of the popular flavor. Even outside the Slurpee drink station, customers go bananas for, well, bananas. In fact, the family of brands sold approximately 50 million bananas last year — that's enough bananas to stretch from coast to coast and back when lined up! Now, banana fans across the country have a new way to enjoy the beloved taste.”
The Wait is Over: Pan Pizza Has Entered a New Era at Papa Johns(Business Wire): “‘After nearly a decade, we’ve reimagined Pan Pizza to bring it back onto our menu,’ said Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Papa Johns. ‘Consumer expectations for flavor and value are higher than ever. And the pan pizza category is crowded, which is why we took a deliberate, consumer-led approach to developing the perfect recipe, and focused on getting every detail right. Pan pizza is nostalgic, indulgent and so beloved, and we saw the chance to elevate a pan-style pizza in a way that feels distinctly Papa Johns.’”
Uncrustables Expands Convenience with Fridge Friendly Storage Across Its Portfolio — Full Rollout in Summer 2026(PR Newswire): “‘Because shoppers have made us a leader in the freezer aisle, we’re evolving to meet them where they are. No more creative “speed-thaw” hacks required,’ said Jessica Fair, Vice President, Marketing at The J.M. Smucker Co. ‘By making our entire portfolio fridge friendly, we’re eliminating thaw time so fans can enjoy the same Unbeatably Soft Bread and favorite flavors the moment they want a snack.’”
Takis Launches Six Intense New Flavors, Unleashing A Full-Flavor Takeover(PR Newswire): “Built around Takis’ new All Intense, Not All Spicy campaign, the flavor lineup proves that intensity goes way beyond heat. It’s about flavor that hits fast, crunch that snaps, and seasoning that doesn’t hold back. From zero-heat tang to full-send spice, each flavor brings its own energy, opening the door to both longtime fans and new snackers for a choose-your-own-adventure approach.”
Snackology is a publication of The Omnicosm.
Issue No. 168
Snackology is written and produced by Bill Kuchman. Copyediting by Tim Kuchman.
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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