Review: Pepsi Zero Sugar Mango

Out of the plethora of food and drink drinks that flood the market, every once in a while a new flavor catches my attention. Many are fad-driven, short-lived, and ultimately disappointing, but occasionally something truly interesting emerges.

Pepsi Zero Sugar Mango is unusual. Combining cola with fruit flavors is not novel; both Coke and Pepsi pair cherry with their base cola, but mango is different. It's tropical sweet nature contrast with the slight bitterness and acidic bite of the cola. It gives the drink an unexpected edge that, to be honest, can be a bit unpleasant at times. Despite this, each sip offers an evolution of flavor that keeps the drink interesting.

I do not particularly enjoy sugary drinks, and have not tried the non-zero sugar version, but it wouldn't surprise me if the combination might work a bit better without the harshness that often accompanies artificial sweeteners. That said, the mango flavor is enticing. Why not a mango soda without the backdrop of cola?

Pepsi Zero Sugar Mango lacks some degree of harmony. Just as with people, however, sometimes that internal conflict can keep things interesting.