You know the taste, the electric citrus kick, that neon green flow, it's a sugar rush that's launched thousands of all nighters. But the modern recipe for Mountain Dew has some sweet Southwest Virginia ties. Before Mountain Dew became a neon green pop culture icon, before Baja Blast and Code Red, it started as a hometown idea in East Tennessee. "I think from what I read, they were trying to get something unique," said Joe Ellis, Marion resident.