New Mountain Dew Fruit Quake might seem like a truly odd beverage flavor. Fruitcake is not everyone’s favorite holiday food, with a reputation for being dry, hard and bland. (These fruitcake recipes will change your opinion!) But Mountain Dew soda is none of those things, so the company’s taking a bold leap here by mixing up fruitcake and Dew.
What Does Mountain Dew Fruit Quake Taste Like?
The can claims it’s Mountain Dew, “with a blast of artificial fruitcake flavor.” To me, that means nuts, spices and dried fruit–kind of oddball add-ins for a citrus soda. It’s clear that Mountain Dew is making us rethink the way we view the classic holiday dessert.
Food blogger The Impulsive Buy tasted some, and reports that the drink tastes of fruit punch and “a smidge of spices that your taste buds might not even notice.” That may not be a ringing endorsement for fruitcake lovers, but it seems like Mountain Dew is trying not to scare away all the fruitcake haters out there. Fruit punch fans may appreciate the holiday spin.
One of the funnier reviews out there claims that Fruit Quake “tastes how Michael’s craft stores smell.” Michael’s stores smell pretty good to me, kind of like potpourri and candles, but I’m not sure I want to drink that smell. The reviewer elaborated in the comments that the drink “tastes like cinnamon dumped into cranberry juice.” Sounds kind of like a novelty soda to bring to holiday parties
Where Can I Get It?
A representative for Mountain Dew tells me that the new drink is making its way to stores in November. It’s a limited-edition drink, so if you see it and want to try it, grab it now. Unlike real fruitcakes, which seem to last eternally, this flavor won’t be around forever.
Other Limited Edition Mountain Dews On the Market
Whether or not Mountain Dew Fruit Quake appeals to you, it’s easy to stuff your fridge with unusual Mountain Dew flavors. Right now on local store shelves, I spotted Mountain Dew Major Melon, Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple, and Mountain Dew Spark, which is a raspberry lemonade variety. In 2023, classic Mountain Dew is bringing back a flavor from the early 2000s—Mtn Dew Pitch Black—that shoppers will be able to buy.
This summer, a super-limited Mountain Dew Dill Pickle variety was released. In 2021 they released a birthday cake flavor. Plus, the company has regularly offered mystery flavors. A Mountain Dew rep says the mystery flavor Mountain Dew Voo-Doo is still on shelves, but only for a limited time.
Past Mountain Dew holiday flavors have included Mountain Dew Holiday Brew with cherry-flavored Code Red, Mountain Dew Merry Mash-Up with cranberry pomegranate-flavored, and Mountain Dew Gingerbread Snap’d with a gingerbread flavor—clearly.
There’s also a tasty unconfirmed rumor that Mountain Dew will offer Mountain Dew Cobra Cane in 2023, with a candy-cane flavor. We’ll have to see if that comes true. For now, scoop up Mountain Dew Fruit Quake if you to pair alongside real fruitcake as a holiday gift.
Holiday Punch Recipes to Make at Home
Celebration Punch
This pretty fruit punch has just the right amount of sweetness. The ice ring keeps it cool for hours without diluting the flavor. —Marci Carl, Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania
Go to Recipe
Chilled Christmas PunchA blend of juices gives this punch a little pizazz. For a more tart flavor, substitute cranberry juice for the cranberry-apple juice. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Hot Spiced Berry PunchI like to make punch in the slow cooker for parties. Add a splash of bourbon or whisky for an adult crowd. It’s also superb for poaching pears. —Judy Batson, Tampa, FL
Get extra-festive this year and make your own homemade
eggnog, too.
Champagne Party PunchTo make this punch even more festive, float an ice ring in the punch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Candy Cane PunchPeppermint ice cream makes this creamy drink taste—and look—more like a dessert than a punch! I've mixed it many times for ladies' lunches and buffets. For a fun garnish, hang mini candy canes around the punch bowl or on cups. —Neva Schnauber, Ft. Collins, Colorado
All-Occasion PunchTo keep the punch cold while adding extra color, I like to make an ice ring out of cherry soda pop. The flavor always brings folks back for more. —Carol Van Sickle, Versailles, Kentucky
Slow-Cooker Christmas PunchThis holiday, why not indulge in a warm ruby red punch made in the slow cooker? We use cinnamon and Red Hots to give it that cozy spiced flavor and welcome-home aroma. —Angie Goins, Tazewell, TN
Spiced Cider PunchI’ve shared this recipe with many friends. It never wears out its welcome and is so easy to make. It’s also delicious warm. —Charles Piatt, Little Rock, Akansas
Icy Holiday PunchPull out the punchbowl for this rosy thirst-quencher that dazzles at Christmas parties. This fun prep-ahead beverage makes any occasion a bit more special. It's delicious with apricot gelatin, too. —Margaret Matson, Metamora, Illinois
Cranberry FizzWith just five basic ingredients, this wonderfully tangy punch couldn't be much simpler to stir together. —Suzette Jury, Keene, California
Grinch PunchMy family expects to see this frothy green beverage on my buffet each Christmas. It always makes everyone happy. —Janice Hodge, Custer, South Dakota
Chilly Coffee PunchFor a twist on the usual fruit punch, try a flavored coffee with ice cream, brought together just before serving. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
Holiday Wassail PunchThis festive and fruity punch is made with five kinds of juices plus cinnamon and allspice for a unique, well-balanced flavor. —Jennifer Stout, Blandon, Pennsylvania
Warm Spiced Cider PunchThis is a nice warm-up punch. I like to serve it when there is a nip in the air. The aroma of the apple cider, orange juice and spices as the punch simmers in the slow cooker is wonderful. —Susan Smith, Forest, Virginia
White Christmas SangriaThis punch has a pleasant fruity flavor. It's not too sweet so everyone will enjoy it! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Hot Christmas PunchI originally got this recipe from a coworker who brought it to work for our office Christmas party. The punch has a nice cinnamon flavor and a rosy red color that is pleasing to almost everyone. —Patricia Dick, Anderson, Indiana
Chilean Monkey Tail PunchStories vary surrounding the origins of this punch's unique name. Some say it was initially served in a bottle depicting a monkey with a long tail, but others suggest it was named after a funny incident with a Chilean president in the early 1900s. Whatever the origin, coffee and spirits will make this sweet chilled drink warm you right up this Christmas. It also goes by "cola de mono." —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Citrus PunchThis zesty punch is a refreshing addition to my holiday table. I love its fruity flavor and the bright sunshiny color. You can easily double the recipe if you're expecting a larger group. —Dianne Conway, London, Ontario
Hot Spiced Cranberry DrinkI serve this rosy spiced beverage at parties and family gatherings during the winter. Friends like the tangy twist it gets from Red Hots. It's a nice change from the usual hot chocolate. —Laura Burgess, Ballwin, Missouri
Bubbly Champagne PunchThis champagne punch, served at my wedding, continues to this day to be the elegant drink we serve at special events. —Anita Geoghagan, Woodstock, Georgia
Favorite Berry PunchA friend from church shared this zingy strawberry-infused punch recipe. It's great for bridal showers, anniversary parties and holiday gatherings. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Hot Cider PunchMy hot fruit punch has been a family fave since 1993—hard to believe that we’ve loved it for 20 years! Adding clove-studded orange wedges makes it look especially festive. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
Snow PunchAs pretty as a fresh snowdrift, this frothy, fruity punch has been a Christmas tradition in our family for years—but it's a light and refreshing thirst-quencher in any season. —Eloise Neeley, Norton, Ohio
Festive Holiday PunchThis refreshing holiday punch has a gorgeous raspberry color and tangy flavor. To complete the magic, we garnish the glasses with lime wedges. —Tahnia Fox, Trenton, Michigan
Cranberry Fruit PunchI tried different combinations of juices until I came up with this pleasant punch that's not too sweet. It's perfect when you're serving a lot of holiday sweets. —Jean Ann Herritt, Canton, Ohio
Cappuccino PunchWhen I tried this punch at a friend's wedding shower, I had to have the recipe. Guests will eagerly gather around the punch bowl when you ladle out this frothy mocha ice cream drink. —Rose Reich, Nampa, Idaho
Citrus & White Grape Juice Party PunchI was looking for a drink that wouldn't stain expensive prom dresses and tuxedos. Everyone loved this white grape juice and lemonade punch! You can mix the first four ingredients ahead of time, refrigerate and add the soda right before serving. —Karen Ballance, Wolf Lake, Illinois
Updated: Jan. 04, 2023
