Every year since 2019, Mtn Dew, no, sorry, Mountain Dew (they decided to spell it out again) has unleashed a spooky-themed mystery flavor under the name VooDEW. The freaky flavored opaque grey bubbly liquid ranged from the inaugural candy corn to “fruit candy chews” to 2023’s official collaboration with Airheads candy for a branded cherry flavor. But now Mountain Dew VooDEW is a ghost of the past, at least for 2025. Skipping over the frightful mystery contest in favor of a straight-up co-branded candy collab, this year’s newest Dew is a Trolli Cherry-Lemon gummy, available in only zero sugar.
While this absurdly vibrant red soda may lack the suspenseful surprise of the VooDEW branding, what it doesn’t lack is a punch when it comes to flavor. The cherry lemon gummy presence is just as bold as the coloring, with a strong cherry that verges on syrupy without ever going into the “not good” territory. It’s a big pop of cherry followed by lemon and the classic Dew flavor, which is already lemony in its own right.
The taste of this Trolli collaboration reminds me a lot of the early 2000s fan (and personal) favorite Code Red, with just a touch more citrus flare than I recall from Code Red, which favors the cherry. I imagine that side by side, there may be some additional nuance that comes out, but I’m not sure how much more gummy flavor can be injected into an already potent sweet mix like the foundation of Dew. In the same breath, it does taste remarkably like the yellow and red Trolli gummy worm, so it’s also quite accurate.
Regardless of whether this is a sneaky re-skin or not, it’s a close enough and tasty enough comp for a SKU whose zero sugar version is nowhere to be found in my area. As someone who tries to avoid full sugar drinks, I’m really enjoying this zero sugar Trolli Dew. It is a super sweet, almost-too-much-but-just-enough type of soda that is unique but familiar enough that I can absolutely see myself buying a 12-pack of cans and having no issue finishing it over the course of spooky season.
Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 20 ounces
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Bottle) 15 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 85 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of protein.
I appreciate that Mountain Dew continues making candy flavors of Halloween, but I’m so bummed that there’s no more VooDew. I just loved the spooky specter on the label, and how each year was included in it. I got jazzed for the Halloween season each time the year’s VooDew release was announced. Plus, the mystery flavor aspect was really fun and created a lot of online chatter.
Given last year’s official collaboration, I guess I should’ve seen the end coming. It’s hard to partner with companies without using their names and logos. Maybe they’ll re-visit it down the road, or at least incorporate the branded partner’s name IN the VooDew label.
I bought a 20oz of this to try the other day and loved it so much, I immediately went and bought a couple of 12 packs of it. I’m right there with you in the no zero sugar code red in sight and this being a welcome alternative. Was surprised by how good it is.
I think these reskins if that is what they are are a great idea! A lot of people say they can’t find code red zero sugar. So this scratches that itch much in the same way that they have never made a live wire zero sugar but the Cabo citrus zero sugar taste so much like live wire. Very orange forward and very delicious!
Considering how utterly vile and disgusting ZS MD Baja Blast was, I’m wary of trying this. I wish that they had a non zero sugar version, too.
Incorrect
I was surprised I liked it. My first few sips were like “woooooo! this is sweet!” and by the end of the can I liked it. Now my whole box is gone and I haven’t seen it again. 🙁