Mountain Dew Amp
An energy-drink line created by PepsiCo and originally introduced as a Mountain Dew extension.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Mountain Dew Amp, also known as Amp Energy, is an energy-drink brand owned and produced by PepsiCo. It was introduced in 2001 as an extension of the Mountain Dew soft-drink brand, with its original packaging identifying the product as an energy drink from Mountain Dew. The line was designed to bring Mountain Dew's flavor identity and youth-oriented marketing into the rapidly expanding energy-drink category. The brand's identity changed several times. In 2008, the packaging shortened the product name to Amp Energy and moved the Mountain Dew logo to a less prominent position. From 2009 onward, PepsiCo marketed the product under the standalone Amp Energy trademark rather than presenting it primarily as a Mountain Dew variant. A 2011 redesign removed the Mountain Dew logo from the cans altogether, reflecting an effort to establish Amp as an independent energy-drink brand. The line nevertheless retained a connection to Mountain Dew, and in 2018 the branding reverted toward Mountain Dew through the launch of Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel, a gaming-oriented extension that reused the name of an earlier Mountain Dew product family. Amp's core formulation has included caffeine, taurine, B vitamins, guarana, ginseng and maltodextrin. The original drink contains 74 milligrams of caffeine per 8.4 fluid ounces, according to the referenced product description. The range expanded into multiple flavors and formats, including Original, Sugar Free, Overdrive, Elevate, Traction, Green Tea, Lightning, Sugar Free Lightning and Watermelon. Traction was later renamed Boost. Some flavors were temporary or discontinued, including Relaunch, while Tradin' Paint was released as a limited-edition flavor associated with NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. The brand also extended beyond its standard canned drinks with Amp Energy Juices, sold in Orange and Mixed Berry varieties, and Amp Energy Gum, which combined caffeine and other functional ingredients. Amp has been sold in cans of 16 and 24 U.S. fluid ounces. A United Kingdom version launched in 2013 under license through Britvic, using Mountain Dew-linked branding and a citrus flavor. It contained more caffeine than Mountain Dew Energy and used sugar in line with the formulation of other UK soft drinks. That UK version was discontinued in 2017 as Britvic concentrated on the original Mountain Dew variety. Marketing has been central to the brand. Amp sponsored major action-sports, motorsports, hockey, mixed-martial-arts and gaming properties. Its partnerships included the NHL Winter Classic, NASCAR teams and races, Burton snowboarding events, World Extreme Cagefighting and selected UFC athletes. The most prominent NASCAR relationship involved Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 car, although PepsiCo withdrew Amp from that sponsorship in late 2011 and replaced it with Diet Mountain Dew. Amp also pursued lifestyle marketing through custom refrigerator designs created with artists, musicians and fashion-oriented figures. In 2018, Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel added a resealable can format and connected the product with esports communities. The available reference material does not establish a current corporate website, a separate legal entity, or a definitive global status for every flavor and market.
History
Mountain Dew Amp began in 2001 as PepsiCo's move to extend the Mountain Dew identity into energy drinks. The initial product was presented as an energy drink from Mountain Dew, making the relationship between the established soft-drink brand and the new functional beverage explicit. Its formulation combined caffeine with ingredients commonly associated with energy products, including taurine, B vitamins, guarana and ginseng. The original product description gives a caffeine level of 74 milligrams per 8.4 fluid ounces. The brand subsequently experimented with the balance between parent-brand recognition and independent identity. In 2008, the can design shortened the name to Amp Energy and reduced the visual prominence of the Mountain Dew logo. In 2009, PepsiCo began presenting Amp as a standalone trademarked brand. A 2011 redesign went further by removing the Mountain Dew logo entirely. Contemporary beverage-industry commentary described this as an effort to place more emphasis on Amp Energy and less on its Mountain Dew origins. During this period, the portfolio broadened beyond the original drink through flavor variants such as Sugar Free, Overdrive, Elevate, Traction, Green Tea, Lightning and Watermelon. Traction was later renamed Boost, while Relaunch was discontinued. PepsiCo also developed products beyond the standard energy-drink can. Amp Energy Juices launched in 2010 in Orange and Mixed Berry, using a juice-oriented format with B vitamins, taurine, ginseng and guarana. Amp Energy Gum was introduced around the same period with caffeine, taurine and B vitamins. A limited-edition Tradin' Paint flavor combined orange, lime and berry and used a NASCAR-themed presentation tied to Dale Earnhardt Jr. The brand's marketing history was unusually broad for a beverage line. Amp became title sponsor of the first NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game in 2008. It also sponsored NASCAR drivers, teams and races, including Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 car and Talladega Superspeedway events. Talladega races carried Amp-related names in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The sponsorship of Earnhardt Jr. ended in late 2011, when PepsiCo replaced Amp with Diet Mountain Dew. Amp additionally backed Burton snowboarding events and a team of snowboard athletes. In 2010 it became the official energy drink of World Extreme Cagefighting, although that organization ceased operating that year, and the brand sponsored several UFC athletes. Amp also pursued an art, fashion and lifestyle image. In 2009, designers, musicians and artists created custom Amp-branded refrigerators that were displayed in private and retail settings. The initiative was intended to associate the drink with creative and lifestyle communities rather than relying only on conventional beverage advertising. A UK version launched in August 2013 through Britvic under license from PepsiCo. It used Mountain Dew-associated branding, a citrus flavor and a higher caffeine concentration than Mountain Dew Energy. The product was discontinued in 2017 as Britvic focused on the original Mountain Dew variety. In 2018, PepsiCo brought Mountain Dew branding back to the Amp family through Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel. This gaming-focused line included resealable cans and was connected with esports communities. The available material documents the brand's launches, packaging shifts, flavor history and sponsorships, but does not provide reliable information on current executives, a standalone headquarters, or a dedicated official website.
- 2018
Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel introduced
[1]A gaming-oriented Amp line launches with resealable can lids and esports associations.
- 2017
UK version discontinued
[1]The UK Amp product is discontinued as Britvic concentrates on the original Mountain Dew variety.
- 2013
Orange flavor reintroduced
[1]Amp Energy announces the return of its Orange flavor.
- 2013
UK Amp Energy launches
[1]A citrus-flavored UK version launches through Britvic under license from PepsiCo.
- 2011
Mountain Dew logo removed from Amp cans
[1]A redesign places stronger emphasis on the Amp Energy name and removes the Mountain Dew logo from the cans.
- 2010
Amp Energy Juices and Amp Energy Gum introduced
[1]The brand expands into juice-based beverages and caffeinated functional gum.
- 2009
Standalone Amp Energy branding begins
[1]The product is presented under its own standalone trademark name rather than primarily as a Mountain Dew extension.
- 2008
Packaging adopts the shorter Amp Energy name
[1]The product name is shortened and the Mountain Dew logo is moved toward the lower portion of the can.
- 2001
Amp Energy launches under Mountain Dew
[1]PepsiCo introduces Amp as an energy drink distributed under the Mountain Dew soft-drink brand.
Products and positioning
A youth-oriented, flavor-led energy-drink line positioned against major energy brands through Mountain Dew heritage, functional ingredients, action-sports and motorsports sponsorships, and later gaming and esports associations.
Energy drink · 2001
AMP Energy Original
The original Amp formulation, initially branded as an energy drink from Mountain Dew. Its listed ingredients include caffeine, taurine, B vitamins, guarana, ginseng and maltodextrin. The product description reports 74 milligrams of caffeine per 8.4 fluid ounces.
Sugar-free energy drink
AMP Energy Sugar Free
A sugar-free variant within the Amp Energy portfolio. The reference material identifies it as part of the range but does not provide a complete formulation or current availability.
Flavored energy drink
AMP Energy Overdrive
A cherry-flavored Amp variant identified in the historical flavor range.
Flavored energy drink
AMP Energy Elevate
A mixed-berry Amp variant included in the historical product range.
Flavored energy drink
AMP Energy Boost
A grape-flavored product formerly known as Traction. The reference material records the later name change to Boost.
Lemonade energy drink
AMP Energy Lightning
A lemonade-flavored Amp variant, also offered in a sugar-free version.
Juice-based energy beverage · 2010
AMP Energy Juices
A juice-format extension launched in Orange and Mixed Berry. The drinks use B vitamins, taurine, ginseng and guarana and were packaged in 12-ounce bottles.
Functional chewing gum · 2010
AMP Energy Gum
A functional-gum extension containing caffeine, taurine and B vitamins. The reference material does not establish its current availability.
Limited-edition energy drink · 2009
AMP Energy Tradin' Paint
A limited-edition orange, lime and berry flavor associated with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the paint scheme of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 car.
Gaming-oriented energy drink · 2018
Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel
A 2018 line that brought Mountain Dew branding back to the Amp family. It used resealable can lids and was marketed in connection with gaming and esports communities.
Citrus energy drink · 2013
Amp Energy UK
A UK citrus-flavored version distributed by Britvic under license from PepsiCo. It used Mountain Dew-linked branding, contained 31 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters and was discontinued in 2017.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel gaming program
United States
Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel connected the Amp line with gaming and esports communities and introduced a resealable can lid.
Outcome. The reference states that the line sponsored several esports communities but does not quantify campaign results.
- 2010WEC official energy-drink sponsorship
United States
Amp became the official energy drink of the World Extreme Cagefighting series and also sponsored UFC athletes.
Outcome. World Extreme Cagefighting ceased operating in 2010; the reference also names Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes and Joseph Benavidez as sponsored athletes.
- 2010The Legend of Hallowdega
United States
Amp Energy Juice produced a short film about Talladega Superspeedway featuring David Arquette, appearances by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Darrell Waltrip, and direction by Terry Gilliam.
Outcome. The film formed part of the brand's Talladega-related sponsorship activity.
- 2009Tradin' Paint NASCAR promotion
United States
Amp released a limited-edition orange, lime and berry drink featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr.- and No. 88-themed packaging.
Outcome. The product was a limited edition and is identified as discontinued.
- 2009Custom Amp refrigerator art initiative
United States
Graphic designers, musicians and artists created custom Amp-branded refrigerators displayed in artists' homes and selected retail locations.
Outcome. The initiative was intended to associate Amp with fashion, art and lifestyle audiences.
- 2009Burton snowboarding partnership
United States · Canada
Amp partnered with Burton Snowboards on the 27th Annual US Open Snowboarding Championships and other Burton events.
Outcome. The reference lists the US Open, Burton Am Series, Burton Demo Tour, Burton World Tour and Canadian Open among the associated events.
- 2008NHL Winter Classic title sponsorship
United States
Amp Energy served as title sponsor of the inaugural NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game on New Year's Day.
Outcome. The sponsorship is documented for the inaugural event; its longer-term continuation is not established in the reference material.
- 2008Dale Earnhardt Jr. and No. 88 sponsorship
United States
Amp began sponsoring NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his No. 88 car.
Outcome. PepsiCo withdrew Amp from the sponsorship in late 2011 and replaced it with Diet Mountain Dew.
- 2008Amp Energy 500
United States
PepsiCo sponsored the Talladega Superspeedway race, which was titled the Amp Energy 500 in 2008.
Outcome. The Talladega sponsorship continued under related Amp naming in subsequent years.
- 2006Daytona 500 NASCAR sponsorship
United States
Amp Energy sponsored Kevin Lepage's No. 61 Peak Fitness Racing Ford for the Daytona 500.
Outcome. The reference identifies the event sponsorship but does not provide further performance or campaign results.
Brand decisions
2018
Launch Mountain Dew Amp Game FuelProduct launchBackground
PepsiCo reconnected the Amp name with Mountain Dew's gaming-oriented product history.
Action taken
The company introduced Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel with a resealable can lid and esports-related sponsorship activity.
Aftermath
The launch marked a return to prominent Mountain Dew branding after the earlier standalone Amp positioning.
2013
Reintroduce the Orange flavorProduct launchBackground
Amp had developed a broad flavor portfolio, including temporary and discontinued variants.
Action taken
Amp Energy officially announced the reintroduction of its Orange flavor.
2011
Remove the Mountain Dew logo from Amp cansGeneration changeBackground
Beverage-industry commentary characterized the redesign as an effort to emphasize Amp Energy over its Mountain Dew roots.
Action taken
PepsiCo removed the Mountain Dew logo from the cans in the 2011 redesign.
Aftermath
The brand later returned to Mountain Dew-linked branding through Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel in 2018.
2011
Replace Amp NASCAR sponsorship with Diet Mountain DewStrategyBackground
Amp had sponsored Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 car beginning in 2008.
Action taken
PepsiCo withdrew Amp Energy from the sponsorship in late 2011 and replaced it with Diet Mountain Dew.
Aftermath
The reference does not provide financial details or explain the broader sponsorship strategy.
2009
Present Amp Energy as a standalone trademarkStrategyBackground
The product had originally been introduced as a Mountain Dew extension, but PepsiCo sought stronger emphasis on the Amp Energy name.
Action taken
Amp was produced and labeled under its own standalone trademark identity.
Aftermath
The 2011 redesign removed the Mountain Dew logo from the cans entirely.
2008
Reduce Mountain Dew prominence on packagingStrategyBackground
PepsiCo was developing Amp as a more distinct energy-drink identity while retaining some connection to Mountain Dew.
Action taken
The company shortened the product name to Amp Energy and shifted the Mountain Dew logo toward the bottom of the can.
Aftermath
The move was followed by a more extensive standalone-brand presentation beginning in 2009.
Recent events
- 2018
Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel launches[1]
Product launch · Campaign
A new line called Mountain Dew Amp Game Fuel connected Amp with Mountain Dew's gaming portfolio and used resealable can lids.
- 2013
Amp reintroduces its Orange flavor[1]
Product launch
Amp Energy announced the return of its Orange flavor.
- 2011
Amp redesign removes the Mountain Dew logo[1]
Product generation
A redesign removed the Mountain Dew logo from the cans to emphasize Amp Energy as an independent brand.
- 2009
Amp becomes a standalone trademark presentation[1]
Other
PepsiCo marketed Amp Energy under its own standalone trademark presentation, and the brand was reported as the fourth-largest energy-drink brand in the United States by overall retail sales that year.
- 2008
Amp packaging shifts toward a standalone brand identity[1]
Other
The product name was shortened to Amp Energy and the Mountain Dew logo was made less prominent on the packaging.
- 2001
Amp Energy introduced as a Mountain Dew extension[1]
Product launch
PepsiCo introduced Amp Energy under the Mountain Dew brand as an energy-drink extension.
Sources1 sources
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