Rob Williams - Orangejack

The Slurpee rainbow will soon include a dark side.

Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc. will debut in late April its first black Slurpee -- a tribute to the movie villain Darth Vader that's tied to the May premiere of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Jedi and Slurpee fans alike will be able to slurp the pitch-black, icy concoction, called Darth Dew, from a standard-size cup or from one fitted with a black, shiny Darth Vader head. Yoda collector mugs also will be available.

It will be a marriage of two venerable, decades-old brands. Star Wars is one of the world's most recognizable movie and merchandise empires, while Slurpee -- named for the slurp sound made when drinking it through a straw -- will celebrate its 40th anniversary in June.

'We know that black food does not generally sell well,' said Robert Passikoff, founder of New York-based Brand Keys, a brand research firm. 'Having said that, the inherent value of the Star Wars brand is good enough reason to try it. . . . They are both classic brands.'

Darth Dew, made by PepsiCo. Inc., is modeled after the beverage company's limited-edition Mountain Dew Pitch Black flavor.