The Fourth of July isn’t all about flags, fireworks, and baseball. It’s also a holiday where hot dogs, a.k.a. America’s favorite summer food, take center stage. In fact, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Americans will consume over 150 million hot dogs on July 4 alone. And with Pepsi sales heating up ahead of the country’s Independence Day, the soda brand is bringing even more red, white, and blue to the occasion by showing the entire United States that hot dogs go #BetterWithPepsi. To prove its point, Pepsi is launching a mash-up of Pepsi and ketchup called Pepsi Colachup.
What is Pepsi Colachup?
The soda brand is so confident that hot dogs are #BetterWithPepsi, so it is taking hot dog enjoyment to the next level with Pepsi Colachup. Dubbed as the first-ever Pepsi-infused condiment in the world, Pepsi Colachup gives fans “the chance to add even more of the iconic sweet, citrusy taste of a crisp, refreshing Pepsi-Cola directly onto their hot dog.” This soda-condiment combo was developed by Pepsi with the help of the Culinary Institute of America Consulting, a business unit of The Culinary Institute of America.
“The concept is both simple and creative. The distinctive flavors and vibrant citrus blend of Pepsi enhances the bright and tangy characteristics of ketchup, offsetting the smokiness of the hot dog,” said David Kamen, director of client experience for CIA Consulting, of the idea behind Pepsi Colachup. “It’s a whole new way to enjoy two American classics!”
Jenny Danzi, Senior Director, Pepsi TM, added: “Pepsi has long been part of American culture and its cool crisp taste has been a favorite beverage choice for generations of Americans. We have always known that hot dogs taste better with Pepsi, and now the experts think so too. We’re thrilled to elevate this unparalleled pairing and build off our #BetterWithPepsi campaigns of past summers, when we proved that pizza and burgers go #BetterWithPepsi. We invented Pepsi Colachup to reinforce just how well hot dogs and Pepsi go together – an unapologetically mouthwatering creation that seamlessly merges a condiment with the ultimate hot dog pairing beverage, delivering a unified taste experience.”
How to get Pepsi Colachup
On July 4, Pepsi is joining forces with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Yankees for exclusive in-stadium sampling of Pepsi Colachup during the team’s respective home games. If you want to be one of the first to try Pepsi Colachup, you can look for the sampling carts at the following stadium locations:
- Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ; Section 130/131
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY; Pepsi Lounge (Pepsi Lounge Ticket Required)
- Target Field, Minneapolis, MN; Section 113
- Comerica Park, Detroit, MI; Section 139
If you won’t be able to make it to the ballpark, you can still experience the joy of Pepsi with a hot dog. Starting this weekend through July 4, Pepsi and hot dog lovers who purchase a hot dog with a Pepsi at any food service or retail location can get the Pepsi comped by texting “FREEPEPSI” to 81234. The process includes uploading the receipt that clearly shows a hot dog and a Pepsi purchase. Once the receipt is validated, Pepsi will send you back the cost of a 20oz Pepsi product, via PayPal, Venmo or Digital Retailer Gift Card. Check out the full rules and guidelines here.
Pepsi x Joey Chestnut
To further solidify its claim that hot dogs go #BetterWithPepsi, the soda brand has also teamed up with Joey Chestnut, one of the greatest competitive eaters of all time.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Pepsi to show America that hot dogs go better with Pepsi,” said Joey Chestnut, 15-time hot dog-eating champion. “People might be surprised, but outside of competitions I love eating hot dogs at a more leisurely pace, and there’s no better way to eat a hot dog – steamed, grilled, or fried – than with a perfectly cool and crisp Pepsi.”