Slice (drink)

This article is about a soft drink. For other uses, see Slice.

Slice

File:SilceVarities.jpg
Typ	Flavored soft drink
Manufacturer	PepsiCo, New Slice Ventures LLC
Country of origin	Vereinigte Staaten
Introduced	1984, 2018 (reintroduced)
Discontinued	2009
Related products	Sprite, Crush, Fanta, Teem, 7 Up, Bubble Up
Website	drinkaslice.com

Slice is a line of fruit-flavored soft drinks originally manufactured by PepsiCo and introduced in 1984 but discontinued by PepsiCo in the United States in the late 2000s. Slice was reintroduced in the United States and Canada by New Slice Ventures LLC, who acquired the trademark rights in those countries. Slice was also reintroduced in India by PepsiCo in 2008 as a Mango-flavoured fruit drink and currently advertised as Tropicana Slice.

History

Slice was a big success upon release, inspiring other juice-infused drinks based on already existing juice brands, such as Coca-Cola's Minute Maid orange soda and Cadbury Schweppes's Sunkist. By May 1987, Slice held 3.2 percent of the soft drink market. One year later, it had fallen to 2.1 percent and was below 2 percent in June 1988.

The original design of the can was a solid color related to the flavor of the drink. These were replaced in 1994 with black cans that featured colorful bursts related to the flavor of the drink, along with slicker graphics. In 1997, the cans became blue with color-coordinated swirls. The original orange flavor was reformulated around this time with the new slogan, "It's orange, only twisted."

In the summer of 2000, lemon-lime Slice was replaced in most markets by Sierra Mist, which became a national brand in 2003. The rest of the Slice line was replaced in most markets by Tropicana Twister Soda in the summer of 2005.

In early 2006, Pepsi resurrected the Slice name for a new line of diet soda called Slice ONE. Marketed exclusively at Wal-Mart stores, Slice ONE was available in orange, grape and berry flavors, all sweetened with Splenda.

As of 2009, Slice (orange, diet orange, grape, strawberry and peach flavors) was available solely from Wal-Mart Stores.

Slice was launched in India in 1993 as a mango flavored drink and quickly went on to become a leading player in the category. In India, 'Slice Mango' is promoted by Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif. Slice mango is also available in Pakistan.

Slice was discontinued by PepsiCo at an unknown date in the United States between the late 2000s to early or mid 2010’s, no longer being on PepsiCo’s “Product Locator” website.

By 2018, New Slice Ventures LLC had acquired the Slice trademark portfolio in the United States and Canada, and was working with Revolution Brands, Dormitus Brands and Spiral Sun Ventures, to re-launch a lower-sugar, lower-calorie beverage sweetened only with USDA-certified organic fruit juice.

In December 2018, New Slice Ventures announced that its new Slice-branded products had become available for wholesale pre-order in four flavors: Raspberry & Grapefruit, Blackberry, Mango & Pineapple and Apple & Cranberry.

Flavors

A Can of "Slice, Lemon-lime flavor " in 2019

Until 1994, the drink contained 10% fruit juice.

• Apple Slice
• Cherry Cola Slice (discontinued in 1988 following the introduction of Wild Cherry Pepsi)
• Cherry-Lime Slice
• Dr Slice (pepper-flavored drink)
• Fruit punch Slice
• Grape Slice
• Lemon-lime Slice (original flavor) (replaced Teem in the United States; discontinued in 2000 with introduction of Sierra Mist)
• Mandarin orange Slice
• Mango Slice
• Passionfruit Slice
• Peach Slice
• Pineapple Slice
• Pink Lemonade Slice
• Red Slice
• Strawberry Slice

In 2018, New Slice Ventures listed four new flavors as available on its website:

• Raspberry & Grapefruit Slice
• Blackberry Slice
• Mango & Pineapple Slice
• Cranberry & Apple Slice

External links

• Orange Slice commercial - A 1997 commercial marketing the reformulated Slice.
• Photos of Slice cans
• Press Release-[1] Press Release Announcing New Slice Products