'Cult favourite' US product coming to the UK for the first time ever
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
This is not a drill: a United States fast-food staple is set to debut in Britain for the first time since being introduced more than 20 years ago.
When it comes to capitalising on the UK market, American chains really aren’t messing around.
This year alone, we’ve received news that Raising Cane’s is coming; Jersey Mike’s is expanding, with 400 stores planned, and Chili’s is apparently making a comeback, too.
Alongside brick-and-mortar stores, we’ve seen Poppi exploding into Tesco and Pret A Manger, with The Grocer reporting the brand is driving the prebiotic soda boom to new heights.
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Louisiana-based chicken chain Popeyes finally answered UK dwellers’ prayers by debuting its Stateside favourites, Mega Dips - and now it’s Taco Bell’s turn to make headlines.
From this week, Taco Bell customers will be able to try their first taste of a Mountain Dew Baja Blast - a refreshing, legendary drink featuring a cool blast of tropical lime flavour.
Despite being synonymous with Taco Bell, British fast-food fans have never been able to try the cult classic, leading many to plead with the brand for years to make it happen.
One X user wrote in 2023: “Bring Baja blast to the UK”.
“When Baja Blast comes to the UK it was purely my doing,” someone else said in 2024, sharing an image of feedback they sent to the Taco Bell UK team.
There’s also been a Change.org petition running since 2020 demanding that the Mountain Dew variant cross the Atlantic Ocean.
“If you have not yet had the chance to try Baja Blast, I promise you this petition is worth signing, and you will understand upon tasting the sweet nectar that is Baja Blast,” Nova Osborne, a self-confessed ‘Baja Blast lovin’ British gal’ wrote at the time.
And now Osborne’s prayers have been answered: Baja Blast has officially arrived.
The iconic Taco Bell item, which debuted in the United States way back in 2004, will be exclusively available at the chain’s Baker Street restaurant between Friday 26 and Sunday 28 June.
If you don’t live close to the store, then don’t fear: the cult beverage is having a nationwide rollout next Tuesday (30 June).
“YO THEY HAVE BAJA BLAST IN UK TACO BELL???,” one fans said. They followed it up by writing: “THEY DO I HAVE IT RIGHT NOW AND I LOVE IT.”
Another typed via X in all capitals: “UK getting Baja Blast this is not a drill.”
Speaking about the launch, Lucy Dee, Marketing Director of Taco Bell UK said: “Baja Blas has built an incredible following over the years, and we've consistently heard from UK fans asking us to bring it here.
“This launch is about rewarding that passion and finally giving customers the opportunity to experience one of Taco Bell’s most iconic drinks for themselves.”
She added: We know how much excitement there is around Baja Blast, and we can't wait for fans to get their first taste.”
Meanwhile, Steven Hind, Chief Marketing Officer, Beverages UK at PepsiCo, said bringing the soft drink to Britain gives consumers ‘something genuinely new and highly ownable, while extending a global partnership that has created some of the most memorable moments for Mountain Dew fans’.
“It’s an exciting step for the brand and for the UK, as we continue to grow through flavours and partnerships that stand out,” he added.
Sadly, it seems as if Baja Blast is here for a good time, and not a long time.
The item will be available in all Taco Bell UK restaurants nationwide while stocks last.