Living There
The bubbly new juice drink Pépico has been making a splash lately as a fun, flavorful beverage. With its roots in Spain and naturally juice-flavored sparkling water, Pépico offers a lighter, fruity alternative to traditional sodas.
Named after the Spanish word for “pep,” Pépico aims to bring energy and excitement to your tastebuds. Since entering the U.S. market in 2018, its signature sip has been winning over consumers seeking better-for-you options beyond boring plain water.
This article will explore how Pépico is quenching thirsts in an increasingly health-conscious beverage landscape. We’ll learn about Pépico’s origins, ingredients, refreshing taste profiles, and why more people are saying sí to these sparkling juice drinks.
A Brief History of Pépico
Pépico was founded in 2013 by Sergio Fernández in conjunction with Sffileh, an established family confectionery business based in Asturias, Spain. Inspired by traditional Spanish flavors, Fernández aimed to create a new kind of carbonated drink for the Spanish market.
The company debuted with three flavors using 100% natural juice – Pineapple, Peach, and Grapefruit. These initial offerings were designed to evoke the classic fruity flavors found across Spain. With their balanced sweetness and delicate carbonation, the drinks quickly gained popularity.
In just five years, Pépico expanded distribution throughout Spain and into several other European and Latin American countries. Buoyed by growing consumer demand for lightly flavored, fruit-based drinks, Pépico set its sights on the U.S. market.
The beverages made their official U.S. debut in 2018 at the Fancy Food Show in New York. There Pépico splashed onto the scene with fanfare, offering samples of its Pineapple and Grapefruit flavors. It began rolling out to East Coast retailers and later expanded distribution nationwide.
Today Pépico is served up at trendy restaurants, cafés, hotels, and markets across America. Its striking black-and-white packaging pops brightly on store shelves. While staying loyal to those classic fruity flavors, Pépico continues to innovate with new tropical tastes and texture combinations.
Pépico’s Tantalizing Range of Flavors
One of the keys to Pépico’s success is its enticing array of flavors. While staying true to its Spanish roots, the brand has expanded its offerings beyond Pineapple, Peach, and Grapefruit. It now boasts a rotating selection of thirst-quenching fruit and herb variations.
Current Pépico flavors include:
- Pineapple – Tart, tropical pineapple flavor kissed with a hint of ginger
- Grapefruit – Zesty and fresh grapefruit zing
- Peach – Sweet, juicy peach nectar taste
- Pineapple Mint – Pineapple with a cool, exhilarating mint finish
- Mango Chili – Sweet mango paired with a dash of spicy chili pepper
- Pear & Lemongrass – Crisp pear and lemongrass make a revitalizing duo
- Guava Passionfruit – Tropical guava and passionfruit create an exotic medley
The ingredients for all Pépico beverages include carbonated water, real fruit juice concentrates, and natural flavors. The fruit juice content ranges between 16-30% depending on variety. There are no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, or other additives.
Special limited edition seasonal offerings have included Watermelon Mint, Coconut & Pineapple, Strawberry & Black Pepper, and Blood Orange. Keep an eye out as Pépico continues crafting new flavor fusions.
Why Pépico is Considered Healthier than Traditional Soda
One of the main reasons Pépico stands out is its perceived health halo compared to regular soda. While sparkling juice drinks, it uses all natural ingredients and is lower in sugar. This appeals to modern consumers seeking healthier alternatives.
Here’s how Pépico stacks up against traditional high-sugar soda:
- 100% juice – Made with real fruit juice, not artificial syrups or sweeteners
- No preservatives – Free of preservatives, artificial colors, etc. found in soda
- Low sugar – Roughly 2-5g of sugar per bottle, compared to 30-40g in cola
- Low calorie – Only 50-110 calories per bottle, versus 150-300 calories in soda
- Vegan – Suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets
- Gluten-free – Does not contain gluten ingredients
- Non-GMO – Made without genetically modified ingredients
While Pépico does contain natural sugar from fruit juice concentrates, the quantities are relatively low. The fruit juice adds more nutritional value in the form of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants absent from soda.
So while Pépico provides a deliciously flavored, fizzy drink, it achieves this without the high refined sugar content, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients found in regular soda. For health-minded consumers, that makes a significant difference.
Pépico’s Crisp, Refreshing Taste Profile
Simply calling Pépico a “healthier soda” doesn’t do justice to its distinctive taste. Pépico has carefully crafted beverages that balance the thirst-quenching properties of carbonated water with real fruit juice.
The result is a crisp, sparkling drink with a flavor that pops but in a lighter, brighter way than syrupy soda. The fruit juice provides just enough sweetness to counter the tart fizz. Natural flavors like ginger, herbs, and spices add subtle depth.
Reviewers often describe Pepico as invigorating, lively, and clean-tasting. The carbonation gives it a prickly effervescence on your tongue, but it finishes smooth without being syrupy. The fruit flavors taste natural yet concentrated.
Overall, Pépico offers a bolder flavor than plain seltzer with only a hint of fruitiness. But it is more delicate than cloying sodas that overload your tastebuds with sweetness. For many consumers, it hits the perfect note of being sweetly satisfying without being saccharine.
That profile appeals to former soda drinkers looking for something with more flavor complexity than water as well as juice fans seeking something drier and lighter. Pépico bridges the gap between boring basics and overpowering sodas.
Why Pépico Has Become Increasingly Popular in Recent Years
Pépico entered the U.S. market at just the right time to take advantage of several shifts in consumer preferences. As a result, its popularity has steadily grown year over year.
Here are some of the key reasons Pépico consumption has taken off:
Health consciousness – With rising rates of diabetes and obesity, more consumers want lower sugar, lower calorie alternatives to traditional soda. Pépico fits the bill.
Bored with plain water – As people drink less soda for health reasons, plain water can seem dull. Pépico adds excitement back to hydration.
Seeking flavor complexity – The mix of fruits, spices, and herbs creates a more sophisticated profile than one-note sodas.
Appeal of Spanish flavors – The use of classic Spanish ingredients like citrus, herbs, and chili peppers feels unique.
Fun, trendy branding – Pépico’s bold packaging and messaging grab attention, especially among youth.
New occasions – Pépico works for cocktails, mocktails, spritzers, and culinary uses in addition to solo sipping.
With its combination of great taste, better-for-you nutrition, and branding that pops, Pepico has carved out a new space between boring basics and bad-for-you sodas. As consumer tastes evolve, expect this peppy drink to keep bubbling up in popularity.
Can Pépico Become the Next Big Beverage Brand?
Pépico closed in 2022 with distribution in over 13,000 retailers across the United States. And in just five short years, it’s gone from a small Spanish start-up to an internationally recognized beverage brand.
Where does Pepsi go from here? If they continue innovating flavors, capitalizing on health trends, and investing in marketing, Pépico could someday join the ranks of category giants like LaCroix and Spindrift.
Of course, growing consumer awareness in an increasingly crowded market will be critical. But Pepsi seems up to the challenge. Keep tabs on new flavors and availability near you. Then grab a chilled bottle, crack it open, and take a sip of this rising beverage star.
Try Pépico’s Thirst-Quenching, Fruity Flavors for Yourself
As Pépico continues its quest to become America’s favorite sparkling juice drink, there’s never been a better time to give it a taste. Look for Pépico near you at mainstream grocery chains, niche beverage shops, cafés, and restaurants. The striking black-and-white packaging makes it easy to identify.
Experiment with different fruity flavors and combinations like Grapefruit, Peach, Pineapple Mint, and Guava Passionfruit. Serve it over ice on a hot day, blend it into cocktails for some fizz, or pour over fresh fruit for sangria-inspired mocktails.
With its balance of lightly sweet, real juice flavor and lively carbonation, Pepsi offers a thirst-quenching alternative to high-sugar sodas. It may well become your new go-to drink for everyday hydration and special occasions alike. ¡Salud!
FAQs:
Q: Where can I find Pépico beverages for sale?
A: Pepsi can be found at most major grocery chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Whole Foods. It’s also carried at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, specialty beverage shops, cafés, and restaurants nationwide.
Q: How many calories and grams of sugar are in Pépico drinks?
A: Calories range from 50-110 per 12 oz bottle depending on flavor. Sugar content is 2-5 grams per bottle, much lower than traditional soda.
Q: Does Pépico contain any artificial ingredients?
A: No, Pepsi does not contain any artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives. It uses all-natural fruit juice concentrates and ingredients.
Q: Is Pépico gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan friendly?
A: Yes, Pepsi is gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan since it contains no animal products or gluten ingredients.
Q: What is the shelf life of Pépico?
A: Unopened bottles have a 9-month shelf life. After opening, Pépsi should be consumed within 5-7 days and kept refrigerated.
Q: Does Pépico need to be refrigerated?
A: It’s best to refrigerate Pepsi to preserve carbonation and flavor, but it can be stored at room temperature until opened.
Q: Where is Pépico produced?
A: It is produced in Spain and shipped internationally. The company is Spanish-owned.
Q: How can I contact Pépico?
A: You can contact Its customer service by email at pepicodrinks.com or submit a contact form on their website.
