REVIEW: Mtn Dew Pitch Black (2023) and Mtn Dew Pitch Black Zero Sugar

NOTE: Mtn Dew Pitch Black and the Zero Sugar version will be released in January 2023. Thanks to Mtn Dew for sending samples.

Mountain Dew Pitch Black made its debut in 2004, a time before Mountain Dew lost most of its vowels to become Mtn Dew, which I assume happened because it drank a sugary soda and didn’t brush those vowels after. While Mtn Dew’s name got shorter on bottles and cans, Pitch Black’s description has gotten slightly longer. While the original was a Dew with a blast of black grape, this latest version describes itself as having a blast of dark citrus punch flavor.

Wait. What?

I have so many questions now. What the heck is dark citrus and why does it sound like something that would cause me to lose hit points in an RPG? Why doesn’t Mtn Dew say this is dark grape flavored? What is it hiding? Is it a dark secret? Is that dark secret hiding in a dark cave? Is it Batman? But I guess the most important question is: Does this Mtn Dew Pitch Black taste the same as Mountain Dew Pitch Black?

Yes, and it’s confusing that Mtn Dew is trying to push it as a “dark citrus punch” because when I drink it, all I can think of is grape Pitch Black. To be honest, despite it being one of my favorite Dew flavors of all time (Pitch Black I, not Pitch Black II), I kind of forgot what it smells and tastes like since it’s been so long. But all those memories came (pardon my use of this verb, Mtn Dew) blasting back with the first sniff and sip. Along with those memories came a bit of frustration that this flavor doesn’t come back as often as it should or isn’t permanent because it’s as delightful as I remember.

But Mtn Dew has not only brought back the beloved Pitch Black, it has also spawned a Zero Sugar version. It smells like the original and its flavor hits all the right grape-y notes, but it tastes like a somewhat watered-down version of the original with an artificial sweetener chaser. It’s fine, but I like regular Pitch Black so much that I feel it’s hard for me to accept the taste compromises that the zero sugar version has. There are other Zero Sugar Dew flavors that I don’t mind over the full sugar version, but this is not one of them.

I’m so happy Pitch Black is back, although I’m a little sad it’s no longer attached to Halloween. Enjoy it before it ends up back in the Mtn Dew vault, which I assume is in a dark cave in a dew flower-covered mountain that also contains whatever dark secret Mtn Dew is hiding.

DISCLOSURE: I received free product samples from Mtn Dew. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 20 oz bottles
Purchased at: Received from Mtn Dew
Rating: 9 out of 10 (Original), 6 out of 10 (Zero Sugar)
Nutrition Facts: (20 oz bottle) Original – 280 calories, 0 grams of fat, 95 milligrams of sodium, 75 grams of carbohydrates, 75 grams of sugar, (including 75 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 91 milligrams of caffeine. Zero Sugar – 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 85 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 91 milligrams of caffeine.

17 thoughts to “REVIEW: Mtn Dew Pitch Black (2023) and Mtn Dew Pitch Black Zero Sugar”

  1. Very odd to use the old name, have it taste pretty much like the old flavor (even with a 20-year gap/relying on taste memories) yet use a different flavor description. Any chance it’s to distinguish it from Mountain Dew Violet (which you reviewed a few years ago) that prominently says “grape flavor” but (according to your review) lacked the Mtn Dew citrus flavor you expected? Still, they could have just done something like “grape-infused citrus drink”; maybe they just thought Dark Citrus was too cool to not use, even if it meant squashing grapes.

    Any idea if these will also be released in 12-packs? I’ve seen a few of Fruit Quake but not for some of the other “limited”/non-main flavors.

    1. Pitch Black has came back a few times for a limited time. Even as an icee type drink.

      It never tasted like grape soda and mountain dew mixed together. It always tasted like grape soda.

  2. Pretty sure the original Pitch Black was very prominently labeled as being sour grape and it was great. No Pitch Black since has kept the sourness, which made it truly unique. So, unless this is sour, it ain’t the same.

  3. You really need to get out to the National Assoc. of Convenience Stores Show that’s held annually. You’d be tasting and reviewing this and similar products months ago.

  4. Some sheetz has pitch black on tap year round. The one about 10 minutes from me has it. I’ve made many a trip to go up there and get some. I’ll be buying this in bulk for sure.

  5. I drink Mountain Dew zero sugar daily that’s my only drink and I love regular Mountain Dew and cannot wait for Mountain Dew black to come back. I just want to know one thing how in the world can I become a tester of your products please pick me I can promise you I will give you straightforward results no blowing smoke LOL but seriously give me a holler I’d love to become a product tester as soon as possible

    1. Yes! I can’t tolerate sugar drinks, so I’m always on the lookout for variety beyond Dr Pepper Zero Sugar and Cherry Coke Zero. I love both of those, but having more options is always good. I’m really looking forward to trying Pitch Black Zero Sugar. I just wish they would release a Zero Sugar version of Mtn Dew Livewire. I absolutely *loved* the sugar version back in the day, and I’m sad that it’s come back without a diet version.

  6. Wowza, I need haf summa of dis in mah life.

    Greap flavored sour Mountand Do?

    Wen can i by dis?

    I no see stores round here that carry it.

    All we gots is the green kind.

  7. Mountain Dew Zero Major Melon is my favorite soda these days so the sweetener taste doesn’t bother me at all. Looking forward to trying out Pitch Black Zero, and hopefully Code Red Zero if it ever makes its way out here.

  8. Thank you!!! I could cry tears of joy right about now! So hard to find anything that I can drink as a diabetic that I enjoy. I am going stir crazy trying to find anything with zero sugar in it! The fact that you have zero sugar of this coming you all are saints! Please also reconsider bringing the Code red zero sugar I miss having code red so badly.

  9. It’s labeled as dark citrus punch and not grape because grape soda is generally unpopular, so they’re marketing it this way to get people who dislike grape soda to give it a try.

  10. So disappointed—-went to grocery store and no zero of any kind mountain dews. Really wanted to try pitch black zero—but, only sugar version available!
    Code red zero Mtn Dew is my all time favorite!

  11. This is NOT Pitch Black of old.

    I have been waiting for Pitch Black to come back for years. I just bought four when I just saw it in the gas station because it along with Live Wire are my two favorite flavors.

    It tastes like plum juice. There is nothing grape about it. Heck, the label says freaking, “Dark Citrus Punch” and I don’t know what that is. What the hell even is a ‘dark citrus’?

    For those looking for grape mountain dew…you ain’t getting it here, no matter what this review says.

    Truly disappointed because I used to drink copious amounts of grape mountain dew…now I will go back to Live Wire.

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