Sweet Lightning

Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning is a flavor of Mountain Dew exclusive to KFC that was introduced in 2019. The peach and honey-flavored soda has an orange-yellow color. It is noted for its sweetness. It was designed to be paired with KFC's menu items, similar to Baja Blast, a Mountain Dew variant that was designed to pair with Taco Bell menu items.

A variation called Sweet Lightning Peaches and Cream was introduced in 2025. The drink was inspired by dirty soda, a drink containing soda, cream and other flavorings.

KFC announced in October 2026 they would be switching soft drink providers from PepsiCo, owners of Mountain Dew, to Coca-Cola. Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning will be phased out from KFC locations in December 2026.

Reception

Mike Pomranz of Food & Wine, gave the drink a favorable review, noting that its taste paired well with fried chicken. Jim Vorel, writing for Paste, compared the drink's yellow color to urine.

Nicolette Baker of Food & Wine compared the flavor of Sweet Lightning Peaches and Cream to a creamsicle.

References

  1. ↑ "KFC debuts a peachy Mtn Dew flavor". adage.com. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  2. ↑ "KFC's Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning Is A New Flavor Exclusive To The Chain". Bustle. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  3. ↑ "Mountain Dew's new dirty soda collab with KFC 'sounds awesome'". 2025-06-11. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  4. ↑ "KFC Just Rolled Out A New Summertime Treat—And It's Not What You'd Expect". Southern Living. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  5. ↑ Tabassum, Juveria (2026-10-15). "KFC picks Coca-Cola as US soda supplier, ditches longtime partner PepsiCo". Reuters. Retrieved 2026-10-18.
  6. ↑ Fink, Bailey (October 20, 2026). "Mountain Dew Is Discontinuing This Fan-Loved Flavor—and Fans Are 'Devastated'". Allrecipes.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Pomranz, Mike (June 11, 2019). "KFC Will Serve an Exclusive Mountain Dew Flavor That's the 'Perfect Pairing' for Original Recipe Chicken". Food & Wine.
  8. ↑ "Mountain Dew's New "Sweet Lightning" Looks Not at All like a Glass Full of Urine; Why Would You Even Suggest That?". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  9. ↑ "KFC and Mountain Dew's New Creamsicle-Inspired Dirty Soda Is Basically Summer in a Sip". Food & Wine. June 6, 2025.