Sour Patch Kids's Slogans & Taglines

Sour Patch Kids is an iconic soft candy brand born from the playful collision of two opposing sensations. Created by Frank Galatolie of Jaret International in the early 1970s, the candy originally launched as Mars Men—alien-shaped gummies designed to ride the wave of space-age fascination. In 1985, the brand was reborn as Sour Patch Kids, reshaped into mischievous child figures and cleverly riding the cultural tidal wave of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. The original four flavors—lime, lemon, peach, and cherry—delivered an unforgettable taste journey that would define a generation. The brand's enduring slogan, "First they're sour, then they're sweet," captures more than a flavor profile; it embodies a philosophy of transformation, mischief, and redemption. Today, under Mondelez International, Sour Patch Kids has evolved into a global phenomenon spanning varieties like Watermelon, Tropical, and Extreme, plus unexpected brand extensions into cereal and ice cream. Known as Very Bad Kids in France and once marketed as Maynards Sour Patch Kids in Canada and the UK, the brand continues to prove that a little sourness only makes the sweetness that follows even more irresistible.