Coca Cola is often touted as the first cola. That is only partly true. While it was without a doubt the first commercially successful cola, the Coke recipe was at the time it emerged in the late 1800s just the latest iteration of a beverage idea that many people had been experimenting with for years. In this article we’re going to trace the origins of cola, how it rose to become the dominant soft drink flavor in the world and how our vegan, all-natural craft soda company is taking the cola flavor in exciting new directions.
Origins of Cola
The Coca Cola company played a seminal role in the establishment of the modern soft drink industry. Of that there can be no debate. When Dr. John Pemberton began shopping his cola recipe to pharmacies in 1886 he set in motion a series of events that would help transform popular culture. But his was not the first cola recipe.
Others had been experimenting with the same ingredients as Pemberton - vanilla, cinnamon, citrus oils, various acidic flavorings and caffeine from the kola nut (hence the name) - for many years, though no one had been able to generate much buzz around their beverages.
Pemberton's idea was to add cocaine to cola's recipe and to market his product to pharmacies as a medicinal drink intended to cure digestive problems and provide a pick-me-up. His plan worked, and within a few years, Pemberton's syrup was being distributed throughout his native Atlanta and the surrounding area.
Maturity of the First Cola Product
Shortly after his Coca Cola product began to catch on Pemberton fell gravely ill and began selling off portions of his company to pay his medical expenses. In 1888, he sold his remaining interest to one Asa Chandler before dying just months later. Following Pemberton’s death Chandler would move aggressively to acquire rights to the secret Coca Cola recipe and the Coca Cola name and would expand distribution to markets in surrounding states.
Coca Cola's Success Breeds Competition
As the Coca Cola brand began to spread far and wide it attracted the attention of other enterprising men of the day. One of them was Caleb D. Bradham. Bradham owned a pharmacy in North Carolina and had agreed to sell Coca Cola at his in-store soda fountain. He was astonished at how quickly the drink caught on with his customers and decided to create his own cola drink. This meant that he wouldn’t have to keep paying Coke for their syrup, and allowed him to enter the wider cola market - which consisted solely of Coke at the time.
Bradham distinguished his beverage from Coca Cola in two important ways: he made it sweeter than Coca Cola (which at the time tended to have a slightly bitter taste) and he refused to add cocaine to his mix due to his own concerns about its potential dangers. Instead he relied entirely on caffeine from the kola nut to provide the pep for his new drink which he christened “Pepsi Cola”.
Pepsi enjoyed initial success, but shaky business practices and a lack of vision endangered the brand early on. It got to the point that shortly after World War I Pepsi had to declare bankruptcy. A strange fate for a company that should have been doing well.
Eventually, the company was sold to Charles Guth who saw the potential in the brand and instituted a disciplined and determined plan to turn things around. It worked. Guth's aggressive marketing campaign brought in the customers but his most important contribution to the history of soft drinks was his introduction of a 12-ounce, 5-cent bottle of Pepsi, which proved a huge success.
War!
In time Guth would lose control of Pepsi to rival shareholders. Not long afterward Pepsi began to once again lose market share to Coke. By the early 1970s Pepsi was in dire straits and decided the best defense was a good offense and thus the “Pepsi Challenge” was born.
The Pepsi Challenge was a marketing campaign whereby people were blindfolded and given samples of both Coke and Pepsi and asked to state their preference. The tests were filmed and turned into TV commercials.
Pepsi wound up winning more often than Coke and while Coke objected, the tests were judged legit and the campaign turned out to be a huge win for Pepsi which for the first time in decades began to regain market share from Coke.
An Unlikely Challenger Enters the Market
For decades Coke, Pepsi and other soda giants controlled the soft drink world. But in the late 20th century a new challenger arose: bottled water. Bottled water was marketed as a healthier alternative to both tap water and sugary sodas. And while people were initially slow to adapt they eventually came around and by 2016, worldwide sales of bottled water surpassed worldwide soda sales for the first time in history.
In response, companies like Coke began marketing sugar-free versions of their drinks with Diet Coke quickly becoming the 2nd most popular soft drink on the planet. The trend toward healthier beverages also prompted the rise of new all-natural soft drink companies like Rocky Mountain Soda.
Rocky Mountain Colorado Cola takes cola in an even more health-conscious and eco-friendly direction. Our Colorado Cola natural soda is vegan, gluten free and kosher with no GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in the mix. It has a clean, crisp taste without sacrificing the traditional cola flavor you know and love. Don't take our word for it - order your own through our online soda shop!
Six Colorado Cola Cocktail Recipes
Here are six delicious cocktail recipes featuring Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola:
Brandy Colorado Cola
The Brandy Colorado Cola is a sophisticated cocktail that combines the rich, velvety flavor of brandy with the fizzy sweetness of Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola. This drink is perfect for those looking to enjoy a classic spirit with a modern twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz brandy
- 4 oz Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the brandy.
- Top with Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Colorado Cola Black Russian
The Colorado Cola Black Russian Cola is a bold and invigorating cocktail that combines the deep, robust flavors of coffee liqueur and vodka with the refreshing sweetness of Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola. Ideal for coffee lovers, this drink offers a unique and stimulating taste experience.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
- 4 oz Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka and coffee liqueur.
- Top with Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola.
- Stir gently to combine.
Colorado Cola Cherry Splash
The Colorado Cola Cherry Splash is a delightful twist on the classic vodka and cola, featuring the sweet and tart flavor of cherry. This drink is perfect for those who enjoy a fruity note in their cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz cherry-flavored vodka
- 4 oz cola
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the cherry-flavored vodka.
- Top with cola.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Colorado Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libra, steeped in history, is perfect for toasting to freedom and good times. The Colorado Cola Libre is our unique take on this refreshing and invigorating cocktail, blending the smooth taste of rum with the tangy zest of lime and the sweetness of Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz light rum
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 4 oz Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum and lime juice.
- Top with Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
The RMS Old Fashioned
The RMS Old Fashioned is a creative take on the traditional Old Fashioned, adding a splash of cola for a hint of sweetness and effervescence. This drink is perfect for cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate a blend of classic and contemporary flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Splash of Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- In a glass, muddle the orange slice and cherry with simple syrup and bitters.
- Add bourbon and fill the glass with ice.
- Top with a splash of Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola.
- Stir gently to combine.
Rocky Mountain Iced Tea
Inspired by the well-known Long Island Iced Tea, the Rocky Mountain Iced Tea is potent and refreshing cocktail that brings together a variety of spirits, enhanced by the sweetness of Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola. Known for its deceptive smoothness, this drink is ideal for those looking to enjoy a flavorful yet strong beverage.
Ingredients:
- ½ oz vodka
- ½ oz tequila
- ½ oz rum
- ½ oz gin
- ½ oz triple sec
- 1 oz sour mix
- Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola to top
- Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice and add all the spirits and sour mix.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with Rocky Mountain Soda Co. Colorado Cola.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Enjoy exploring these cola-based cocktails, with each offering its own distinct flavor profile!
