Fizz the season!
On Tuesday, Pepsi announced its first-ever infused condiment, labeled “Colachup” — yes, you read that right — in honor of the Fourth of July.
The sauce is meant to be the finishing touch on a hot dog, created with help from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Consulting, a business unit of the school.
Starting with a Pepsi reduction, the topping is combined with ingredients including smoked tomatoes, a blend of spices — particularly cinnamon and oregano — plus onions and ketchup, per CNN Business, to create the saucy delicacy.
The limited-edition product features the “sweet, citrusy taste” of the carbonated drink, according to a press release.
“The distinctive flavors and vibrant citrus blend of Pepsi enhance the bright and tangy characteristics of ketchup, offsetting the smokiness of the hot dog,” said David Kamen, director of client experience for CIA Consulting.
Unfortunately, — or, for naysayers, perhaps fortunately — the sauce will be available for one day only on July 4 at a few baseball stadiums across the country, including at the Pepsi Lounge in Yankee Stadium.
The specialty will also be served at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field in Phoenix, the Minnesota Twins’ Target Field in Minneapolis and the Tigers’ Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.
It’s even been approved by Joey Chestnut, a competitive eater who holds the world hot dog-eating record, downing an impressive 76 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2021.
However, it doesn’t seem like all of Pepsi’s fans had the same reaction to the news.
“Jesus,” one Twitter user wrote in response to the announcement on Pepsi’s official social media account. “Y’all need Jesus.”
“I mean I like Pepsi… but not that much,” another person agreed.
Someone else couldn’t believe that the pairing was really happening.
“This has to be a joke,” they wrote.
Others appeared excited to get a taste of the exclusive — and elusive — condiment.
“I gotta get me some of that Pepsi Colachup,” one person wrote. “#BetterWithPepsi.”
Another wanted the condiment to be released in-store.
“Drop it in Walmart or target,” the wweeter offered.
Someone else seconded, “#BetterWithPepsi I would totally buy that! Is it in stores?? Online??”
Pepsi isn’t the only food brand to release its own signature twist on a classic in recent months.
In May, Blue Bell ice cream announced a partnership with Dr. Pepper to create a new ice cream flavor labeled the Dr. Pepper float.
However, the creation divided fans, with some saying that it should have been made with root beer instead of the popular soda.
That same month, Burger King also launched a bright-red Whopper in honor of the June 2 premiere of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”