A number of elements in Olivia Rodrigo’s recent collaboration with Taco Bell surprised me. I may not count myself as the ultimate expert on Olivia Rodrigo, yet I am certainly a fan, so I found it a touch unexpected that she would team up with Taco Bell and that the chain would unveil a pink drink of its own in the spirit of a Starbucks-inspired beverage. Nevertheless, here we are. This limited-edition beverage is exclusive to Taco Bell’s Live Más Café locations, and since one happens to be near my home in Los Angeles, I made a point of stopping by to give it a try.
Pretty Pink Baja Blast
Pros: The pink concoction Olivia’s team crafted is, in fact, the Pretty Pink Baja Blast, described as a tropical lime-infused Mountain Dew Baja Blast with a fresh pink lemonade edge. The creators said it draws inspiration from Olivia’s preferred tastes and hues—which I can relate to since I also gravitate toward pink and pink lemonade.
In practical terms, the idea lands well! It’s not shocking given the lime and lemon components involved. That said, as I was typing these thoughts, I flashed back to a recent lime-lemon soda misstep I endured. Happily, I don’t dislike this version. You’ll notice many of the same citrus notes you’d expect from a standard Baja Blast, and that bright citrus pairs nicely with Taco Bell’s signature fare. There is, however, one point I need to address.
Cons: It is supremely sweet!! It teeters on being overly sugary, though the salty character of Taco Bell’s food helps balance Olivia’s Pink Drink. A quick sip can clear the palate after a salty bite, or you can pair a large sip with a bite to offset the sweetness.
My sugar intake mindset may be to blame here as well, since I don’t often drink soda and I opted for a large Pretty Pink Baja Blast to give myself ample time to gauge its flavors. That choice likely amplified the sweetness, and I have to admit that Olivia would probably be unfazed by such a sugary commitment. Or perhaps she accepted the brand’s payday and let them push through whatever they wanted—though we’ll never truly know the full story.
One more caveat on Olivia’s Pretty Pink Baja Blast: it feels a bit limited in scope that something so playful didn’t receive a broader rollout. Taco Bell’s Live Más Cafés aren’t located in every neighborhood, so it’s not something you’d necessarily go out of your way to find. If you happen to live close to one, by all means, go sample it. If not, you’ll likely be content with a classic Baja Blast alongside your Crunchwrap Supreme.
