PepsiCo acquired Mountain Dew in 1964, adding the citrus soda to its soft-drink portfolio.
Mountain Dew originated as a regional lemon-lime soft drink created in Tennessee. The Hartman Beverage Company developed and marketed the drink before Pepsi-Cola acquired the brand in 1964.
Under PepsiCo, Mountain Dew expanded beyond its original regional market and became one of the company’s major carbonated soft-drink brands. Its bright green color, citrus flavor, and high-caffeine formula helped distinguish it from cola competitors such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
Mountain Dew is sometimes confused with Mello Yello, another citrus soda associated with Coca-Cola. Mello Yello was introduced by Coca-Cola in 1979, while Mountain Dew became part of PepsiCo much earlier, in 1964.