Why Is It Called a Bomb Pop? The 70-Year History Behind America's Favorite Summer Treat
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday-and Americans are gearing up for what's being called the biggest Independence Day celebration in U.S. history. From Salute to America 250 on the National Mall to drone shows, tall ship parades, and millions of barbecues and block parties, Summer 2026 is shaping up to be the most red, white and blue summer in a generation!
Of course, one of the biggest icons every Fourth of July is the Bomb Pop. Just like the American flag, the flavor-packed popsicle has three colors-red, white and blue-and has been a fixture for 70 years. (Depending on where you grew up, you might know it as a Firecracker instead.)
And just in time for the big celebration, 5-hour ENERGY® is hard launching a brand-new flavor inspired by the classic treat: Firework Freeze. I like to think of it as the grown-up version of the Bomb Pop. Just like a firework, it blasted me right back to my childhood with its bold, juicy cherry flavor that turns into citrusy lime before it finishes off with a
blue raspberry tang.
The limited-time Extra Strength shot packs 230mg of caffeine-about as much as a premium 12-ounce cup of coffee. It's got zero sugar-but tons of flavor-and B-vitamins and nutrients to help you stay energized from the morning parade with the kids to an afternoon at the beach and all the way through the big barbecue and firework party at night.
But before you crack open a bottle, let's rewind to the surprisingly intense backstory behind the iconic popsicle that started it all.
The Bomb Pop Origin Story
My favorite part about the Bomb Pop is that it wasn't concocted via a corporate test kitchen with focus groups and flavor scientists-it was born during a '50s summer road trip.
In 1955, two employees from Merritt Foods-a Kansas City-based ice cream novelty company-were driving from Memphis back home to Kansas City and brainstorming ideas for a new kind of ice pop. D.S. "Doc" Abernethy and James S. Merritt wanted something eye-catching, multi-flavored and unmistakably American. By the time they arrived home, they had it: a red, white and blue rocket-shaped popsicle with six fins, three stacked layers of flavor and a name that perfectly captured the moment. And on July 30, 1955, the Bomb Pop was officially born.
Believe it or not, the design and name were totally intentional. That's because in 1955, the Cold War was happening. Nuclear tension was a daily topic of conversation and American patriotism had reached sky-high levels. Abernethy and Merritt leaned all the way in-designing their popsicle to look like a missile and naming it after the very thing the country was terrified of. Looking back, it sounds crazy, but it helped ease the fears of kids nationwide-and Americans young and old simply could not get enough.
Related: This Strawberry Rainbow Lemonade Mocktail Uses 5-hour ENERGY-Here's the Recipe
The Bomb Pop vs. Firecracker Drama, Explained
If you're from New Jersey, you know all about the Taylor ham vs. pork roll debate. When it comes to three-layered popsicles, we've got Bomb Pop vs. Firecracker-and surprisingly, it's a pretty contentious rivalry.
For over 30 years, the Bomb Pop dominated freezer aisles and ice cream truck windows across the country. But the lore truly begins when American patriotism surged again as the Berlin Wall began to fall-signaling the end of the Cold War and a major win for the U.S.
That's when Popsicle-a much bigger and more widely distributed brand-launched its own three-layered, rocket-shaped treat: the Firecracker. Same cherry, lime and blue raspberry combo. Same exact vibe, except packaged under a different name and a slightly different shape.
Naturally, a frozen arms race ensued. Throughout the '90s and 2000s, the two brands competed fiercely to win over American consumers-and created a rivalry so intense (think Yankees/Red Sox) that it eventually landed in a courtroom.
In 2014, Unilever-the maker of the Firecracker-filed a complaint against Wells, the creator of the Bomb Pop. Their argument was that the Bomb Pop's packaging was "confusingly similar" to the Firecracker's. Wells fired back with a counterclaim, arguing that Unilever was falsely advertising the Firecracker as "The Original"-when it really wasn't. In a win for the underdogs, the court ultimately sided with Wells.
So to settle the debate once and for all: The Bomb Pop is the original, invented in 1955. The Firecracker came along 34 years later, in 1989. But because Popsicle's distribution is so massive, the Firecracker name took over in many parts of the country.
Who Makes Bomb Pops Today?
When Merritt Foods closed its Kansas City plant in 1991, the Bomb Pop nearly disappeared for good-until Wells Dairy (now Wells Enterprises) of Le Mars, Iowa, swooped in and acquired the brand. Wells-also the parent company behind Blue Bunny ice cream-has been producing Bomb Pops ever since.
And under Wells' ownership, the original three-layered treat has multiplied into a full lineup. There are now nine main Bomb Pop flavors-plus four extra-intense "Extremes" varieties for kids who like a challenge. The current lineup includes Watermelon, Banana Fudge, Hawaiian Punch, Nerds, Crush, Berry Burst, Candy Clash and-of course-the original Cherry, Lime and Blue Raspberry that started it all. There have even been collaborations along the way, including a Buzz Lightyear version released by Disney in 2003.
In 2005, Wells made it official by establishing National Bomb Pop Day. It's celebrated every year on the last Thursday of June, so mark your calendar!
5-hour ENERGY's New Firework Freeze Flavor is a Bomb Pop Lover's Dream
There's something undeniably magical about chasing down an ice cream truck on a scorching hot summer afternoon. But in 2026, the average adult is more likely to be juggling morning errands with kids in tow, an afternoon at the pool or beach (where just packing the bag feels like its own herculean task), followed by a sports game and barbecue-all in one day. (I'm getting tired just thinking about it.)
That's exactly where Firework Freeze comes in. The brand-new 5-hour ENERGY flavor is a love letter to the classic Bomb Pop, reimagined as a 1.93 fl oz shot. Every sip delivers that same nostalgic three-flavor experience: bold, juicy cherry that gives way to a citrusy lime, then finishes with a crisp blue raspberry tang. Since it's sugar-free, you can save those calories for ribs and hot dogs. And the best part? Its compact size makes it perfect to bring on the go-and it won't ever melt in your purse or make your hands feel sticky.
Each shot has 230 mg of caffeine-that's around the same amount in a premium 12-ounce cup of java-and it's also packed with B-vitamins and essential nutrients to help fight fatigue and beat the heat on a 90-degree day.
I tried it myself and it tastes just like the Bomb Pops I grew up with. It's the kind of flavor that immediately transports you back to your childhood summers-except this time, you're an adult with responsibilities and a to-do list. Thankfully, this new flavor will help you tackle it all.
Firework Freeze is available now at the 5-hour ENERGY website and on Amazon. Grab a pack before they're gone-because just like summer, this flavor is only here for a limited time.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 3:44 AM.