Pepsi-Cola has officially stepped into the world of blockchain with the launch of its first non-fungible token (NFT) collection, the “Pepsi Mic Drop” genesis series, announced on December 9, 2021. The collection comprises 1,893 unique generative NFTs minted on the Ethereum blockchain, designed to celebrate the birth year of the iconic soft drink and build a real-time community of NFT holders.
Pepsi’s First Foray into NFTs
Originally invented in 1893 by Caleb Bradham as “Brad’s Drink” before being rebranded as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, Pepsi has become one of the most recognized beverage brands globally. To honor its origins, the company chose 1,893 NFTs as a symbolic number. Each NFT features a microphone motif combined with variations of classic Pepsi flavors, including classic blue Pepsi, silver Diet Pepsi, red Pepsi Wild Cherry, black Pepsi Zero Sugar, and Crystal Pepsi. The generative traits were randomly created by an algorithm to ensure every NFT is completely one-of-a-kind.
The NFT portal is hosted at micdrop.pepsi.com, with production support from VaynerNFT. Interested collectors could join a waitlist starting Friday, December 10 at 12:00 p.m. EST, with approved users able to mint the NFTs for free (excluding Ethereum gas fees) on Tuesday, December 14 at 12:30 p.m. EST. Todd Kaplan, Pepsi’s vice president of marketing, said in a statement: “Pepsi has always been a brand with a strong heritage in music and pop culture, so it’s only fitting for us to bring that legacy into the new world of NFTs with a ‘mic drop’ of epic proportions. We created the collection for our fans, putting their interests at the forefront by ensuring the NFTs are all free of charge and equitably accessible.”
Brand NFT Trends and Carbon Neutrality
Pepsi joins a growing list of major brands entering the NFT space, including Arizona Iced Tea, Budweiser, and Coca-Cola. For instance, Budweiser recently launched 1,936 NFTs last week to celebrate the birth of the beer can. Adidas also announced a partnership with the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). Pepsi highlighted that it is “implementing a carbon offset program for the launch of the Pepsi Mic Drop NFT to ensure a net carbon footprint of zero.”
The move underscores how traditional consumer brands are leveraging blockchain technology to engage with digital-native audiences and explore new forms of brand loyalty. By combining nostalgia, music culture, and the buzz of NFTs, Pepsi aims to create a unique community experience while maintaining a commitment to environmental responsibility.