Mexican Soda’s Coffee Flavor Precedes Coke and Pepsi

For many, the fusion of coffee and soda represents a thrilling challenge. Numerous trends—like enhancing iced coffee with fizzy cola or the innovative coffee tonic—illustrate this creativity. Yet, before prominent brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi ventured into this realm, a lesser-known Mexican soda company, Jarritos, introduced a coffee-flavored soda back in 1950.

Founded by Don Francisco “El Güero” Hill, Jarritos emerged during a time when Mexico’s traditional aguas frescas were facing stiff competition from sodas. Working in his Mexico City dining room, Hill formulated his first beverage, but the coffee flavor failed to resonate with consumers who primarily enjoyed coffee with milk. Nevertheless, this setback prompted Hill to pivot towards more traditional flavors, ultimately defining Jarritos’ successful trajectory.

After the coffee misstep, the next flavor, mandarin, was launched and quickly became popular. This was followed by the introduction of other flavors like tamarind, lime, and tutti-frutti, otherwise known as fruit punch. Today, Jarritos boasts a diverse array of flavors, celebrating unique options like passion fruit, mango, and guava, which reflect its Mexican roots.

Jarritos’ packaging retains its original aesthetic, featuring vibrant glass bottles that showcase the colorful sodas inside. The name “Jarritos,” meaning “little jugs,” not only pays homage to traditional Mexican beverages but also highlights Hill’s dedication to sharing the rich flavors of Mexico with the world. Despite the initial coffee flavor setback, Jarritos has achieved notable success and remains a favorite choice in various dining experiences, especially alongside Mexican cuisine.

The quest to create successful coffee sodas has proven to be a challenging one, with various companies struggling to establish a foothold in this niche. For instance, the short-lived Keepers brand attempted a citrus and coffee combination, while Coca-Cola has launched cola-coffee hybrids multiple times, including Coca-Cola Blak and the more recent Coca-Cola plus Coffee, both of which faced discontinuation. Even Pepsi’s vintage Kona flavor, inspired by Hawaiian coffee, faltered during testing phases.

However, a notable exception exists: Manhattan Special, which has remained in business since its founding by Italian immigrants in Brooklyn in 1895. Their unique coffee soda, crafted using hand-brewed espresso and cane sugar, has developed a loyal following, particularly in New York. This long-standing success serves as a testament to the brand’s quality, even while larger soda companies continue to face challenges in this market.

Despite the struggles of coffee sodas, perhaps their limited presence in the market has ultimately allowed for the vibrant array of fruity flavors that Jarritos and others now offer. If Jarritos’ initial coffee endeavor had proved successful, the world might have missed out on the delightful flavors currently enjoyed.