What Mountain Dew is clear? A history of colorless DEW flavors

November 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Mountain Dew, a brand famous for its signature neon-green shade, has, on several occasions, released transparent or clear-colored soda variants. These colorless renditions defy the brand's well-known image and have included flavors such as Dewshine and Mountain Dew Ice. This article will delve into the history of these clear Mountain Dew releases, detailing their unique characteristics and availability.

Quick Summary

This article explores past and present clear Mountain Dew variants like the nostalgic Dewshine and the lemon-lime Mountain Dew Ice. It examines why these unique, colorless versions were produced and their current status, noting that many have been discontinued.

Key Points

Clear Dewshine: A limited-time clear citrus flavor released in 2015, made with real sugar and sold in glass bottles, that was inspired by the brand’s heritage.
Mountain Dew Ice: A clear, caffeinated lemon-lime flavor that was introduced in 2018 to compete with other lemon-lime sodas like Sprite and 7UP.
Discontinued Status: Both Dewshine and Mountain Dew Ice have been discontinued, meaning no transparent Mountain Dew is currently widely available.
Coloring Agents: The standard green Mountain Dew gets its color from additives like Yellow 5, which are simply omitted in the clear variants.
Experimental Flavors: The clear flavors represent Mountain Dew's strategy of releasing experimental or themed limited-time flavors, many of which do not remain in permanent rotation.
Other Clear Sodas: If you are looking for a clear soda, other options exist from PepsiCo and other brands, such as 7UP.

The Colorless DEW: A Brief History

While the iconic green Mountain Dew is the most recognizable version, the brand has experimented with many flavors and colors throughout its history. In some cases, this has resulted in completely colorless soda, challenging consumer expectations. The standard Mountain Dew formula gets its trademark hue from food coloring agents like Yellow 5. By simply removing these dyes and adjusting the flavor profile, PepsiCo could create a transparent beverage that was still identifiably part of the Mtn Dew family.

Dewshine: The Prohibition-Inspired Clear Citrus

One of the most notable clear Mountain Dew flavors was Dewshine, officially released in March 2015. This was the first clear version of Mountain Dew to be produced.

Concept: Inspired by the brand's Prohibition-era roots in the hills of Tennessee, where 'mountain dew' was slang for moonshine.
Flavor Profile: Described as a "clear citrus flavored DEW" with natural and artificial flavors.
Sweetener: Used real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
Packaging: Came in glass bottles with a retro-inspired label.
Discontinuation: Dewshine was a limited-time offering that was officially discontinued in 2017.

Mountain Dew Ice: A Lemon-Lime Challenger

Following the retro-inspired Dewshine, Mountain Dew introduced a modern, permanent clear flavor in January 2018 called Mountain Dew Ice.

Flavor Profile: A clear, lemon-lime flavored soda, directly competing with products like Sprite and 7UP.
Key Feature: Notably, Mountain Dew Ice contained caffeine, which differentiates it from its main competitors.
Zero Sugar Variant: A Zero Sugar version of Mountain Dew Ice was also available.
Cherry Variant: A Cherry-flavored version, Mountain Dew Ice (Cherry), was also released.
Discontinuation: Mountain Dew Ice was also discontinued, along with several other variants, as part of a larger portfolio shuffle.

Clear vs. Colored Mountain Dew: A Comparison

To highlight the differences between the original-style Mtn Dew and its clear-colored variants, here is a comparison of their key characteristics.


Feature	Classic Mountain Dew	Dewshine	Mountain Dew Ice
Color	Iconic Neon Green/Yellow	Clear/Colorless	Clear/Colorless
Key Flavor	Citrus	Clear Citrus	Lemon-Lime
Primary Sweetener	High-fructose corn syrup	Real sugar	High-fructose corn syrup
Caffeine	Yes	Yes	Yes
Status	Permanent	Discontinued (2017)	Discontinued (c. 2020)
Packaging	Cans, plastic bottles	Glass bottles	Cans, plastic bottles

The Fate of Clear DEW and its Legacy

The history of clear Mountain Dew products shows that even successful flavors are not guaranteed a long life. The brand frequently introduces limited-time offerings and experimental variants to gauge consumer interest, and not all of these become permanent fixtures. Dewshine capitalized on nostalgia and premium ingredients, appealing to a specific niche of soda drinkers. In contrast, Mountain Dew Ice was designed to enter a competitive, established beverage category dominated by flavor-centric products. When a flavor is discontinued, low sales are a primary factor. While no permanent clear Mountain Dew flavor is currently available, the brand's history of innovation suggests that a new transparent variant could be introduced in the future. The Mountain Dew Wiki provides extensive details on the brand's many flavor variants, including the specific timelines and details of its clear offerings.

Conclusion

While the image of Mountain Dew is inextricably linked with its vibrant green color, several clear versions have been released over the years. These included the retro-style, real-sugar Dewshine and the lemon-lime Mountain Dew Ice, each with distinct flavors and branding. Despite a dedicated fan base for some, these clear varieties were eventually discontinued, returning the focus to Mountain Dew's flagship colored products. For those seeking a clear version of the popular citrus soda, none are currently in production, though the brand’s history of innovation leaves the door open for future releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there is currently no permanent clear Mountain Dew flavor widely available. The most recent clear options, Dewshine and Mountain Dew Ice, have both been discontinued.

Dewshine was a clear citrus-flavored soda from Mountain Dew. It was inspired by the brand's Prohibition-era Tennessee roots and was made with real sugar.

No, Mountain Dew Ice was a clear, lemon-lime flavor, whereas the original Mountain Dew is a distinct, yellowish-green citrus blend. Ice was formulated to compete with other lemon-lime sodas like Sprite.

Mountain Dew created clear sodas as part of brand experimentation and market research. Dewshine tapped into a retro, craft soda trend, while Ice was launched to compete directly in the clear, lemon-lime category.

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is typically the same neon-green color as the original, as it retains the same food coloring agents. It differs in its sweetener content.

Yes, a clear, cherry-flavored variant called Mountain Dew Ice (Cherry) was released after the initial Mountain Dew Ice. This flavor has also been discontinued.

Taste is subjective and varies by individual preference. Some fans prefer the clear varieties' distinct flavor profiles, such as Dewshine's real sugar taste or Ice's lemon-lime profile. Others prefer the traditional, colored Mountain Dew.