Slice (drink)

History

The original Lemon Lime Slice debuted in 1984 as a replacement for Teem, competing with Sprite and 7 Up. Its distinguishing feature was a 10% fruit juice content. A diet version followed in 1985. The line expanded in 1986 with Mandarin Orange, Apple, and Cherry Cola flavors, each also available in diet form.

Advertising used the slogan "We got the juice." Slice's early success prompted competitors like 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, but this fell to 2.1 percent a year later and below 2 percent by June 1988. The juice content was reduced by 1988, with packaging reading "with fruit juices" instead of "10% fruit juices"; the slogan changed to "Either you got it or you don't," and Apple and Cherry Cola were discontinued.

By 1990, juice was eliminated entirely, and the flavor lineup was expanded with Strawberry, Pineapple, Fruit Punch, and Grape. Early 1990s advertising featured Fido Dido, a character associated with 7 Up in international markets where PepsiCo held rights. Lemon Lime Slice used the slogan "Clearly the One." Can and bottle designs evolved from solid colors to black cans with colorful bursts in 1994, then blue cans with color-coordinated swirls in 1997.

New flavors included Dr Slice, a Dr Pepper competitor. Mandarin Orange was reformulated as Orange Citrus with the slogan "It's orange, only twisted," later becoming Orange Slice. In summer 2000, lemon-lime Slice was replaced in most markets by Sierra Mist, which became a national brand in 2003. The remaining Slice line was replaced by Tropicana Twister Soda in summer 2005.

In early 2006, Pepsi resurrected the Slice name for Slice ONE, a diet soda sold exclusively at Walmart in orange, grape, and berry flavors sweetened with Splenda.

New Slice

New Slice Ventures LLC acquired the Slice trademark portfolio in the United States and Canada by 2018, working with Revolution Brands, Dormitus Brands, and Spiral Sun Ventures to relaunch a lower-sugar, lower-calorie beverage sweetened only with USDA-certified organic fruit juice. In December 2018, wholesale pre-orders began for four flavors: Raspberry & Grapefruit, Blackberry, Mango & Pineapple, and Apple & Cranberry. In late 2022, the product was rebranded in a retro style with four new flavors: Orange, Lemon-Lime, Cherry, and Berry.

Flavors

Originally containing 10% fruit juice, the juice content was reduced by 1988 and eliminated by 1990. Historical flavors include Apple Slice (1986–1988), Cherry Cola Slice (1986–1988), Dr Slice, Punch Slice, Grape Slice, Lemon-lime Slice (1984–2000), Mandarin Orange Slice (1986–1997), Orange Slice (1997), Orange Citrus Slice (late 1990s), Mango Slice (India and Pakistan), Passionfruit Slice, Peach Slice, Pineapple Slice, Lemonade Slice, Red Slice, and Strawberry Slice.

In 2025, Slice listed seven new flavors of natural soda on its website, with sixteen flavors currently available: Orange Slice, Lemon Lime Slice, Cherry Slice (discontinued), Berry Slice (discontinued), Classic Cola Slice, Cherry Cola Slice, Ginger Ale Slice, Grape Slice, Grapefruit Spritz Slice, Strawberry Slice, Root Beer Slice, Pineapple Slice (exclusively at Albertsons and Albertsons-owned supermarkets), Watermelon Slice (exclusively at Target), Apple Slice, Shirley Temple Slice (exclusively at Target), Pacific Pop Slice (exclusively at Target), Orange Dirty Soda Slice (exclusively at Target), and Strawberry Dirty Soda Slice (exclusively at Target).