Pepsi Is Releasing a First-Of-Its-Kind Holiday Flavor—and I Tried It First

It's not what you'd expect.

With the holiday season approaching, many of us might be trying to plan our wine pairings for dinner and signature cocktails for holiday parties, or even find the best bottled egg nog in stores (hint: it’s from Costco). However, those aren’t the only beverages we’re concerned with this winter.

The seasonal soda launches have been plentiful this year, with Starry bringing back the beloved discontinued Sierra Mist flavor in Cranberry Blizz, 7Up releasing the first-ever canned Shirley Temple, and Sprite offering its fan-favorite Winter Spiced Cranberry flavor for another year. Even the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines have gotten in on the action with a line of tropical-inspired drinks that will have you humming “Mele Kalikimaka” in no time.

Even though Coca-Cola was the inspiration behind Santa Claus’ red suit, this holiday season is all about the other brand in the rock ‘n’ roller cola wars: Pepsi. Because, as you know, “food deserves Pepsi,” and that means holiday food, too—specifically Christmas cookies.

Pepsi Is Releasing New Gingerbread Soda

Pepsi is quietly rolling out a new, first-of-its-kind holiday pop in a completely unexpected flavor. We may have thought this year was all about cranberry, but Pepsi hasn’t gone down that path. Instead, it's drawing from the warmer, spicier flavors of the season with its all-new Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread.

This is Pepsi’s first true holiday release since its Pepsi Holiday Spice, which was introduced in 2004 and discontinued two years later.

Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread features a blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger flavors reminiscent of the spiced cookie synonymous with the holidays. The new flavor will be released on Dec. 4 in 7.5-ounce mini cans—but there's a catch.

You'll have to have fast fingers to get your hands on this holiday flavor because it will only be available via TikTok Shop and a special giveaway on Pepsi's site. Starting Dec. 4, you can get a free can of Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread when you purchase 2 Pepsi Minis 10 packs via TikTok Shop on Pepsi's TikTok, while supplies last. You can also enter for a chance to win a can on Pepsi's site beginning Dec. 4 through Dec. 11.

I got an early taste of the new Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread soda—here is my honest review.

My Honest Review of Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread

Holiday cookie-wise, gingerbread would never be my first selection. In fact, even though my family makes a gingerbread house every year, I never eat the actual cookies. So, I was quite skeptical about the new flavor when I heard what it was.

However, I do have to give Pepsi props for its out-of-the-box flavor instead of simply releasing a Pepsi Cranberry—though, if you do want to try Pepsi Cranberry, you can do so at KFC right now. And, after trying Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread, I’ve been turned into a firm believer in the flavor.

The holiday pop starts with the sweet Pepsi-like taste you know but mixed with brown sugar—it’s almost chocolatey in flavor—and is finished with a spicy, warm punch of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. If I could compare it to anything, it’d be Dr. Pepper with its unique blend of vanilla and 23 spices, but with more holiday flair.

Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread gave me a dirty soda vibe because it has a complex taste with an almost creamy mouthfeel—even without the added creamer. It truly does taste like the holiday season in a can. And, speaking of, the can itself is incredibly adorable, with a gingerbread house design.

Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread might just be my favorite holiday soda launch this year—and, had you told me that two days ago, I would never have believed you. So, whether you’re a gingerbread cookie lover or not, you should give this one a try if you're able to get your hands on a can. And maybe even leave it out for Santa on Christmas Eve—you might just change his allegiance, too.