For the first time in 20 years, Taco Bell is making its first-ever permanent flavor expansion of the beloved Baja Blast.
Baja Midnight is an “unexpected” purple twist on the iconic tropical lime beverage, blending the taste that fans already love with passion fruit flavor — a fruity spin on the citrusy classic.
The first new Mountain Dew Baja Blast flavor in decades will make its debut on menus nationwide on Aug. 14.
“Baja Blast has consistently sparked creativity, defied expectations, and continues to be a cornerstone of the Taco Bell experience,” Taylor Montgomery, Chief Marketing Officer at Taco Bell, said in a statement.
“Our fans made it iconic, and they’re the reason we’re expanding the universe for the first time with Mountain Dew Baja Midnight. It’s unexpected, it’s Taco Bell purple, and it’s tasty enough to earn its place in the fandom.”
The menu addition will be available in two formats: Mountain Dew Baja Midnight and Mountain Dew Baja Midnight Freeze — both of which are “expertly formulated” to complement any Taco Bell menu item.
“Mountain Dew Baja Midnight was intentionally crafted to build on the iconic flavor legacy of Mountain Dew Baja Blast and evolve for modern tastebuds, especially for Gen Z fans,” a Taco Bell spokesperson told Food & Wine.
“To ensure it would honor that legacy, Mountain Dew Baja Midnight was tested rigorously to ensure the passion fruit flavor complemented the cheesy, spicy, crunchy flavors fans know and love at Taco Bell.”
While the Baja Midnight will be a permanent addition, the Freeze — which offers an icy frozen version of the beverage — will only be available for a limited time.
To celebrate the new item, Rewards Members can try a medium Mountain Dew Baja Midnight for free when they spend $5 or more in the Taco Bell app on Aug. 15. The offer is only redeemable through the app at participating locations, while supplies last.
The original Mountain Dew Baja Blast was first introduced in test markets in 2004 and has become a cult favorite for the chain.
The soda costs $2.49 for a small, $2.79 for a medium and $2.99 for a large. The Freeze is $3.79 for a regular and $3.99 for a large.
