Teem soda: Remembering Pepsi’s lemon-lime soft drink before Sierra Mist

Teem, new lemon-lime drink, introduced (1960)

From The Progress Index (Petersburg, Virginia) November 9, 1960

“Teem,” a new lemon and lime beverage developed by the Pepsi-Cola Company, is being introduced today in the Southside Virginia area, it was announced by Norman Sisiky, vice president of The Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Petersburg, Inc.

In a statement from New York City, Herbert L. Barnet, president of the Pepsi-Cola Company, declared that the Southside Virginia area has been chosen as a focal point for national distribution, and that The Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, of Petersburg Inc. has been selected as one of the first bottlers in the country to introduce Teem.

Announcing the introduction of Teem for the first time in this part of the country, Sisisky said that the product has been under development by Pepsi research chemists for four years.

ALSO SEE: See how Sprite lemon-lime soda hit store shelves in the ’60s, and soon bubbled its way to the top

“Taste-testing and sampling has been conducted across the country for the past two years in efforts to achieve a high quality beverage of unique taste and maximum popularity,” Sisisky said.

According to overall industry figures, lemon-lime drinks have shown the highest rate of growth of any soft drink flavor in the nation.

Cola drinks account for more than two-thirds of total soft drink sales (and Pepsi-Cola sales growth is five times that of the industry), but the lemon-lime share presently accounts for 12 percent of the total soft drinks consumed in America.

In cities where Teem has already been introduced, sales have reflected immediate consumer demand quick distribution and excellent repeat purchases.

New Teem comes in an emerald green bottle of crossed swirl design. For the introduction in Southside Virginia, The Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., Inc., bottled in the traditional 10-ounce size.

The Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, of Petersburg Inc. is planning a full scale advertising and promotion campaign in the area using The Progress Index.

“For fun and flavor” is Teem copy line, and all the materials are of the green and yellow colors denoting clean, sparkling, refreshment.

The bottles, cartons, cases, trucks, and advertising materials all have been designed to reflect the qualities of the beverage itself.

Retro sixties Teem soft drink – lemon lime soda (1962)

Its here! It’s here. Its crystal clear. Teem.

Pepsi-Cola Company makes this new soft drink — that’s why its so good!

In the bright green bottle! Tingling… refreshing… perfectly light — lemon and lime teamed up just right!

ALSO SEE: Why vintage Squirt soda wasn’t sweet like other soft drinks, plus five ’60s cocktail recipes with Squirt

Vintage Teem soda ad with Gerald McBoing-Boing (1963)

ALSO SEE: Bubble Up lemon-lime soda: The old soft drink with a surprisingly long history

Vintage Pepsi drinks in cans and bottles from 1960

Sodas shown include Teem, Pepsi and Patio

Retro 1960s Teem soda thermometer (Pepsi)

Stacks of old Teem bottlecaps (1962)

NOW SEE THIS: The history of 7-Up soda, and find out the soft drink’s (terrible) original name

Vintage Teem TV ad from the 1980s (in Spanish)