Walk into any Walmart and you’ll see it. That bright, icy blue liquid with a Great White shark tearing through the label. It’s hard to miss. Mountain Dew Frost Bite hit the shelves back in March 2020, and honestly, the timing couldn't have been weirder. While everyone was busy hunting for toilet paper, PepsiCo and Walmart were quietly dropping a brand-new exclusive flavor that looked like something pulled straight from a frozen ocean.
It’s blue. Very blue.
But what does it actually taste like? If you ask five different Dew fans, you’ll probably get six different answers. Some people swear it’s just Voltage without the ginseng kick. Others think it’s a watered-down version of the legendary Baja Blast. The truth is a bit more nuanced than that, and after years of this being a staple in the Walmart soda aisle, we’ve finally got enough data points—and taste tests—to figure out exactly where Frost Bite sits in the chaotic Mountain Dew pantheon.
The Mystery of the "Cool Melon" Profile
Mountain Dew is notorious for being vague about their flavors. They love using terms like "Blast of Citrus" or "Dew with a Blast of Tropical Lime." For Frost Bite, the official description is "A Burst of Icy Shark Cool Melon."
Melon. That’s the keyword.
Most blue sodas lean heavily into raspberry or "blue" (which we all know isn't a real fruit). Frost Bite takes a sharp turn toward honeydew. It’s subtle. You don't get hit over the head with a fruit basket immediately, but there’s a distinct, smooth sweetness that lingers after the initial carbonation dies down. It lacks the sharp, acidic bite of the original green Dew.
You’ve probably noticed that it feels "smoother." That's not just your imagination. The melon flavoring rounds out the sharp citrus edges. It’s a refreshing change of pace if you find Code Red too syrupy or Major Melon too aggressive. Speaking of Major Melon, the two couldn't be more different. While Major Melon is a loud, candy-like watermelon explosion, Frost Bite is more like a chilled honeydew slice. It's sophisticated. Well, as sophisticated as a bright blue soda with a shark on it can be.
🔗 Read more: Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten Firm Vitamin C Serum Explained (Simply)
Comparing the "Blue" Candidates
Let's talk about the elephant—or the shark—in the room. How does it compare to the other blue heavyweights?
- Voltage: This is the king of blue Dew. It has ginseng and a very sharp raspberry-citrus kick. Frost Bite is much mellower.
- Baja Blast: People always try to compare them because they’re both "exclusive" (Baja to Taco Bell, Frost Bite to Walmart). Baja is lime-forward and tropical. Frost Bite is melon-forward and "icy."
- Dark Berry Bash: If you've been to Applebee’s, you’ve seen this one. It’s way darker and fruitier. Frost Bite feels lighter, almost like it’s meant to be drank while staring at a snowbank.
Why Walmart? The Logic Behind the Exclusive
You might wonder why PepsiCo keeps certain flavors locked behind specific retailers. It seems annoying, right? You want your Frost Bite, but you don't want to deal with the Walmart parking lot.
It’s all about the data. Walmart is the largest grocer in the United States. By giving them an exclusive permanent flavor, PepsiCo ensures a massive, consistent volume of sales. It also creates a "destination" product. If you’re a hardcore Dew collector—and trust me, those people exist in huge numbers on Reddit’s r/mountaindew—you have to go to Walmart.
The partnership has been incredibly lucrative. Since its 2020 debut, Frost Bite hasn't just stayed on the shelves; it has expanded. We’ve seen Frost Bite Zero Sugar (though that one is harder to find lately) and various bottle sizes ranging from the standard 20oz to the 24-pack of cans.
The branding is also a major factor. The artwork was designed by the firm PepsiCo uses to give Dew that "extreme" 90s-meets-modern-grit look. The shark—affectionately dubbed "Frosty" by some corners of the internet—was a deliberate choice to compete with the visual aesthetic of energy drinks like Monster or Red Bull. It looks cold. It looks aggressive. It sells.
The Science of the "Icy" Sensation
There is a weird psychological trick happening here. When you see blue, your brain expects cold. When you see the word "Frost," your brain expects a cooling sensation.
💡 You might also like: Double Sided Ribbon Satin: Why the Pro Crafters Always Reach for the Good Stuff
Is there menthol in it? No. Is there some secret cooling agent? Probably not. But the flavor scientists at PepsiCo use a specific balance of citric acid and high-fructose corn syrup to create a "clean" finish. Some sodas leave a thick, sugary film on your tongue. Frost Bite is designed to "snap" off. That's why it feels thirst-quenching.
It contains 55mg of caffeine per 12oz can. For context, a standard Mtn Dew has about 54mg, while a Coke has around 34mg. So, you’re getting that signature Dew kick, but it’s masked by that smooth melon profile. It’s a dangerous combination because it’s very easy to drink fast.
Real Feedback: What the "Dewds" Say
If you spend any time in the soda enthusiast community, you’ll see that Frost Bite is a polarizing figure.
- The "It's Boring" Camp: Some fans think the melon is too light. They want their Dew to punch them in the face with flavor. For them, Frost Bite feels like "Blue Water."
- The "Daily Driver" Camp: These are the folks who find Original Dew too heavy for daily consumption. They appreciate that Frost Bite is easy-going. It doesn't give you that "sugar tongue" feeling quite as fast.
- The Zero Sugar Hunters: The Zero Sugar version of Frost Bite is actually highly rated because the melon flavor hides the aftertaste of artificial sweeteners better than the citrus flavors do.
I've personally found that the temperature matters more with this flavor than almost any other. A room-temperature Frost Bite is... not great. The melon becomes cloying. But if you get it near-freezing? It actually lives up to the name. The "icy" part of the branding isn't just marketing; it's a serving suggestion.
Ingredients and Nutrition (The Harsh Reality)
Let's be real for a second. We aren't drinking this for the health benefits. A 20oz bottle of Frost Bite packs about 280 calories and a staggering 74 grams of sugar. That’s more than most people should have in two days, let alone one sitting.
The ingredient list is a classic chemistry set:
📖 Related: Dining room layout ideas that actually work for real life
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Citric Acid
- Gum Arabic
- Sodium Benzoate (preserves freshness)
- Caffeine
- Sodium Citrate
- Glycerol Ester of Rosin
- Blue 1
- Red 40
The "Blue 1" is what gives it that signature glow. Interestingly, the addition of a tiny bit of Red 40 is what shifts the blue from a "Windex" look to a more deep, oceanic teal. It’s a deliberate color theory move.
Finding Frost Bite in 2026
Is it still around? Yes. While many "Limited Time Offer" (LTO) flavors like Voodew or the various Baja spinoffs disappear after a few months, Frost Bite was established as a permanent addition to the Walmart lineup.
However, availability can be regional. Some Walmart Supercenters keep it stocked in the refrigerated checkout lanes, while smaller Neighborhood Markets might only carry it in 12-pack cans in the soda aisle. If you’re looking for the Zero Sugar version, you might have to hunt a bit harder or check online for local stock.
How to Get the Best Experience
If you're going to dive into a Frost Bite, don't just crack a lukewarm bottle. To actually taste the "cool melon" notes without being overwhelmed by the corn syrup, follow the "Dew Protocol."
Put the bottle in the freezer for about 20 minutes. You want it right on the edge of slushy. At this temperature, the carbonation is tighter, and the sweetness is slightly suppressed, allowing the honeydew aroma to actually hit your olfactory senses. It’s a completely different drink when it’s 33 degrees versus 50 degrees.
Pairing matters too. Because it’s a smoother, less acidic soda, it actually goes incredibly well with spicy food. Think Flamin' Hot Cheetos or spicy wings. The melon acts as a palate cleanser for the heat in a way that the standard citrus Dew doesn't.
Actionable Insights for the Dew Curious:
- Check the Bottom: Always check the "Best By" date on the neck of the bottle. Because melon flavors are more delicate than citrus, an expired Frost Bite tastes significantly more "plastic-y" than an expired Original Dew.
- The Walmart App is Your Friend: Don't waste a trip. Use the Walmart app to check the specific "Aisle" location for Frost Bite. It often gets moved to promotional endcaps away from the main soda section.
- Mix It Up: A popular "hack" in the community is mixing 75% Frost Bite with 25% Starry (or Sprite). The extra lemon-lime zest gives the melon flavor the "pop" that some people feel it lacks.
- Go for Cans: If you have the choice, buy the cans. The lining in the cans preserves the specific melon flavor profile better than the plastic in the bottles, which can leach over time if exposed to sunlight on a delivery truck.
Frost Bite isn't just another blue soda. It's a specific experiment in "smooth" flavor profiles that has managed to survive the brutal culling of the soda market for years. Whether you're a shark fan or just someone looking for a break from the standard lemon-lime rotation, it's worth the three-dollar gamble at the checkout lane. Just make sure it's cold. Really cold.