Today I’m diving into two brand-new items that just hit the shelves: Doritos Golden Sriracha and Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream (in both regular and zero-sugar varieties). Let’s break these down and see if they’re worth a try!
Doritos Golden Sriracha
First up, let’s talk about the Doritos Golden Sriracha. Right off the bat, the packaging caught my eye. It’s shiny, bold, and gives off some serious Willy Wonka golden-ticket vibes. Charlie Bucket would definitely approve.
Now, for the flavor: the bag promises a “sweet and tangy” twist on classic Sriracha. As soon as I opened it, the smell was unmistakable: straight-up Sriracha, not your typical Doritos aroma. The chips themselves have a golden hue that sets them apart visually from the classic varieties.
The taste? It’s an adventure. The first bite hits you with that Sriracha flavor immediately, like getting slapped in the face by a bottle of the stuff (in the best way). Then, as you keep eating, the heat builds gradually. It’s not overwhelming but just enough to keep things interesting. There’s also a subtle sweetness that’s almost tomato-like, which balances out the spice nicely.
I decided to take it a step further by dipping the chips into actual Sriracha sauce. Let me tell you, that was a flavor explosion – almost too much, but a fun experiment nonetheless. For those who love the iconic hot sauce, these chips capture the essence pretty well. If you can’t find the Golden Sriracha chips, adding a little Sriracha to plain tortilla chips might be a decent alternative.
At $5.19 for a bag (or two for $8 at Target), they’re a bit pricey for chips, but I think they’re a solid addition to the Doritos lineup. Overall, I’d say they nailed the sweet and tangy promise, and I’ll definitely enjoy polishing off both bags I bought.
Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream
Next up is the new Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream, which comes in both regular and zero-sugar options. Pepsi’s Wild Cherry flavor has been around since 1988, and this new version adds a creamy vanilla twist. It’s even replacing Pepsi Mango, which I barely remember trying. If you were a fan of that flavor, let me know your thoughts on its disappearance!
For this taste test, I compared the classic Pepsi Wild Cherry with the new Wild Cherry & Cream versions side by side. I’ll admit I was a little skeptical. How much could the cream really change things?
Here’s the breakdown:
- Regular Wild Cherry & Cream (260 calories): The first sip is heavy on the vanilla cream, with the cherry flavor taking a backseat. I was expecting more of a cherry punch, but the cream definitely dominates. The more I drank, the more the cherry came through, but overall, I found the vanilla to be a bit overpowering.
- Zero-Sugar Wild Cherry & Cream (5 calories): Surprisingly, this version felt more balanced. The cherry flavor was more prominent here, and the cream was less intense. If I had to choose between the two, I’d go with the zero version, as it seemed to strike a better flavor balance.
Ultimately, though, I found myself preferring the original Pepsi Wild Cherry over these new variations. The creamy vanilla didn’t really add much to the experience for me, and as a bit of a purist, I think the straightforward cherry flavor is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
For snack fans, the Doritos Golden Sriracha is definitely worth a try if you’re into bold, spicy flavors with a hint of sweetness. As for the Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream, it’s a fun twist, but I’ll stick with the classic Wild Cherry. As with any food review or taste test, your mileage will vary, and I’d be interested if you have a difference of opinion about either of these new items.
What do you think? Have you tried either of these yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Video Review
Below is the full video review of these two new food items.