Is Red Bull Red Edition (Cranberry) Discontinued? What Happened?
Fate: Red Bull introduced watermelon as a limited summer flavor in 2020 and it sold well enough to become a permanent product. When it did, watermelon took the Red Edition name and cranberry was discontinued in the US.
Red Bull Red Edition (Cranberry) was the original flavor behind the Red Edition can. Red Bull launched its Editions line in 2013, introducing three new flavors alongside the original energy drink: cranberry as the Red Edition, blueberry as the Blue Edition, and lime as the Silver Edition. Each came in a distinctly colored can and had a fruit flavor added to the familiar Red Bull base.
Cranberry Red Edition sold in the US for about seven years. It built a following among people who liked the tart cranberry flavor as an alternative to the original. The Editions line grew over the years as Red Bull added seasonal and limited flavors, but cranberry remained the standard Red Edition through most of that period.
In 2020 Red Bull introduced a watermelon flavor as part of its Summer Edition lineup. It sold well and Red Bull made it a permanent product, giving it the Red Edition name. Cranberry was discontinued in the US when that happened. The Red Edition can stayed on shelves, the color stayed roughly the same, but the flavor inside changed.
Fans who had been buying cranberry noticed the switch and a number of petitions were created asking Red Bull to bring the original flavor back. Cranberry Red Edition is still available in some markets outside the US, but it has not returned to US shelves as a regular product.
Timeline
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2013
- Red Bull launches its Editions line in the US with three flavors: cranberry as the Red Edition, blueberry as the Blue Edition, and lime as the Silver Edition.
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2016
- Cranberry Red Edition is widely available across the US alongside a growing lineup of seasonal and limited edition flavors.
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2020
- Red Bull introduces watermelon as a Summer Edition. It performs well enough to become permanent, taking the Red Edition name and replacing cranberry in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Red Bull Red Edition (Cranberry)?
It was the original Red Edition flavor Red Bull launched in 2013. It added a tart cranberry taste to the classic Red Bull base.
When did the Editions line start?
Red Bull introduced the Editions in 2013 with three flavors: Red Edition (Cranberry), Blue Edition (Blueberry), and Silver Edition (Lime). Each came in a bright, color‑coded can.
How long was Cranberry sold in the U.S.?
About seven years. It stayed the standard Red Edition flavor from 2013 until 2020.
Why did Red Bull discontinue Cranberry in the U.S.?
In 2020, Red Bull launched a watermelon flavor as part of its Summer Edition. It sold extremely well. Red Bull made watermelon permanent and gave it the Red Edition name. Cranberry was removed at the same time.
Did the can design change?
Not much. The Red Edition can stayed red, but the flavor inside switched from cranberry to watermelon.
Did fans notice the change?
Yes. Many people were surprised when cranberry disappeared. Several petitions asked Red Bull to bring it back.
Is Cranberry Red Edition still sold anywhere?
Yes, in some markets outside the U.S. But it hasn't returned to U.S. shelves as a regular product.
Why do people miss Cranberry so much?
It had a sharp, tart flavor that stood out from other energy drinks. Fans liked it as a cleaner, fruitier alternative to the original.
Are there any signs it'll return?
Red Bull hasn't announced a comeback. For now, cranberry is considered discontinued in the U.S.
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