# Why is cola only popular in carbonated form? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [December 19, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117 "2019-12-19T23:25:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/1 "2019-12-19T23:25:09Z")
I don’t know that there is no non-carbonated product consumed anywhere, but if there is one, it’s obscure enough that I’ve never heard of it. And among carbonated drinks, cola is likely the most popular flavor in the world. So I’m wondering what it is about that specific flavor that lends itself so well to carbonation, as compared to other flavors? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/2 "2019-12-19T23:51:26Z")
I don’t know the answer, but I did want to point out that Coke (cola flavor) Icee is widely available and one of the most popular flavors, so there is at least one popular form of cola that is non-carbonated. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/3 "2019-12-20T00:09:08Z")
I don’t know if they still do, but pharmacies used to sell straight Coca Cola syrup for stomach ailments. I once had a particularly bad case of food poisoning, and Coke syrup was all I could tolerate for a couple of days. This was in the 70s. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/4 "2019-12-20T01:23:17Z")
Haribo has Cola flavored gummy. I feel like there use to be a cola flavored jello too. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/5 "2019-12-20T01:27:08Z")
The flavor of “cola” (not just Coca Cola, but also Pepsi and generics) is actually a “fantasia” blend of vanilla, cinnamon (or cassia) and citrus oil, plus unspecified “pther”. I found that the flavored mead at Midnight Meadert that has vanilla and cinnamon flavors added tastes amazingly like Coke. So there is certainly a Coca Cola -tasting drink without carbonation. And both **Spoiler Virgin** and **jaycat** are correct. Icees and Slurpees and such “frozen” drinks have long been available in “Coke” or “Cola” flavor (without carbonation), and “Coke syrup” used to be widely used for various upset stomach ailments. Back when pharmacies still operated soda fountains, you could get it direct from them (my father got it for me once). And drug stores actually sold bottled “coke syrup” as well. In fact, they still do: > **[Syrup Cola](https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/flents-syrup-cola/ID=prod6143460-product)** > > Shop Syrup Cola and read reviews at Walgreens. View the latest deals on Flents Laxatives. > **[Amazon.com: Cola Syrup, 4 oz. : Health & Household](https://www.amazon.com/HUMCO-3594001-Cola-Syrup-oz/dp/B0773MGV5R)** > > Buy Cola Syrup, 4 oz.: Cough Syrups - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases We discussed this on this Board almost twenty years ago: > **[Coca-Cola syrup as medication.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=50914)** > > I have read that Coke is pretty acidic. If this is true, why is it used to treat stomach aches? ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/6 "2019-12-20T01:29:10Z")
[Cola flavoured cordial](https://mouthsofmums.com.au/rate-it/sugar-treats-chocolate-snacks-drinks/cordial/cottees-cola-cordial/) The only flavours I can think of that are commonly sold in both carbonated and un- forms, are flavours corresponding to fruit. Iced tea is non-carbonated. Mountain Dew is carbonated. So is creamy soda. Milk-based drinks are un-. And so on. ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/7 "2019-12-20T04:12:07Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > [Cola flavoured cordial](https://mouthsofmums.com.au/rate-it/sugar-treats-chocolate-snacks-drinks/cordial/cottees-cola-cordial/) > > The only flavours I can think of that are commonly sold in both carbonated and un- forms, are flavours corresponding to fruit. Iced tea is non-carbonated. Mountain Dew is carbonated. So is creamy soda. Milk-based drinks are un-. And so on. An egg cream is milk, chocolate syrup and soda or seltzer water. Calips/Capico soda is the milk based drink with carbonated water. Shasta Tiki punch is carbonated fruit punch. And my Dad used to make punch with orange sherbert, vanilla ice cream and 7Up. To my memory, the original Gatorade was similar to Mountain Dew, though less sweet. There are lots of cola flavored candy and gum, especially from Japan. Our family friends loved A&W Root beer and would bring a gallon of syrup when they visited and drink it uncarbonated. Sady, root beer is the one soda I can’t bear to drink. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/8 "2019-12-20T05:26:44Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > I don’t know the answer, but I did want to point out that Coke (cola flavor) Icee is widely available and one of the most popular flavors, so there is at least one popular form of cola that is non-carbonated. Aren’t Icees carbonated? I remember the first time I had one, probably 15 years ago and it took me a few bites to figure out what was ‘wrong’ with it. I eventually realized it was carbonated. I _hate_ carbonated drinks (I’ve had, literally, just a few sips of soda in my entire life, can’t stand the stuff). Slush Puppies, OTOH, I like. Also, if it makes a difference, I wouldn’t have had a cola flavor, it almost certainly would have been blue. I checked wiki. Icees come under the category of carbonated frozen beverages and Slush Puppies are listed as a non-carbonated frozen beverage. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/9 "2019-12-20T05:40:35Z")
There [are](https://www.amazon.com/IBC-Cherry-Cola-Singles-Boxes/dp/B07QV3ZVJJ/ref=asc_df_B07QV3ZVJJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385184572477&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15644141951198918260&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018830&hvtargid=pla-837919481486&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=78943449272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385184572477&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15644141951198918260&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018830&hvtargid=pla-837919481486) non-carbonated cola [drink mixes](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsc01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FHTB19Y6pKpXXXXbTXXXXq6xXFXXXU%2FCOLA-INSTANT-POWDER-DRINK-9-GR-FOR.jpg_350x350.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alibaba.com%2Fproduct-detail%2FCOLA-INSTANT-POWDER-DRINK-9-GR_118177848.html&docid=Psp5Nq4XmahxQM&tbnid=2LlOMD6gC3OiWM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjc1LuXwcPmAhVHGs0KHWMsApsQMwiwAigEMAQ..i&w=246&h=350&bih=969&biw=1920&q=cola%20drink%20mix&ved=0ahUKEwjc1LuXwcPmAhVHGs0KHWMsApsQMwiwAigEMAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8). I’ve had some of them, they’re quite good. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/10 "2019-12-20T05:48:37Z")
this is easy to discern … take a coke then open it and put it in the fridge overnight it should go flat ie no fizz take a taste of it… at that point its coke flavored water… Although you can buy certain soda flavor mixes… i know I can buy dr pepper and crush flavored “water enhancers” (a fancy way of saying kool-aid) ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/11 "2019-12-20T05:50:07Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > There [are](https://www.amazon.com/IBC-Cherry-Cola-Singles-Boxes/dp/B07QV3ZVJJ/ref=asc_df_B07QV3ZVJJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385184572477&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15644141951198918260&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018830&hvtargid=pla-837919481486&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=78943449272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385184572477&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15644141951198918260&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018830&hvtargid=pla-837919481486) non-carbonated cola [drink mixes](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsc01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FHTB19Y6pKpXXXXbTXXXXq6xXFXXXU%2FCOLA-INSTANT-POWDER-DRINK-9-GR-FOR.jpg_350x350.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alibaba.com%2Fproduct-detail%2FCOLA-INSTANT-POWDER-DRINK-9-GR_118177848.html&docid=Psp5Nq4XmahxQM&tbnid=2LlOMD6gC3OiWM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjc1LuXwcPmAhVHGs0KHWMsApsQMwiwAigEMAQ..i&w=246&h=350&bih=969&biw=1920&q=cola%20drink%20mix&ved=0ahUKEwjc1LuXwcPmAhVHGs0KHWMsApsQMwiwAigEMAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8). I’ve had some of them, they’re quite good. I wonder if coke knows about the middle one thats using a coke botle on its label… ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/12 "2019-12-20T06:54:57Z")
apparently looking around on Alibaba there’s various flavors of "instant soda powder "and it seems to be popular in asia Im wondering if there’s commercial places adding this to seltzer or something carbonated and saying its brand named soda… ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/13 "2019-12-20T07:48:22Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > I wonder if coke knows about the middle one thats using a coke botle on its label… Doesn’t say Coca Cola on it but sure looks like a Coke bottle. That one is from Turkey. Could Coke do anything about it there? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/14 "2019-12-20T08:20:27Z")
I grew up in South Jersey in the 60’s. My family always had a jug of [_Boost!_](https://www.nj.com/burlington/2017/08/the_history_of_boost.html) (aka _Takaboost/Drink-Atoast_) in the fridge, as did all of our neighbors. I believe at one time it was delivered to our house along with the milk and eggs. _Boost!_ is a beverage concentrate that tastes like flat Coke. It was liquid crack to South Jerseyites. Maybe it still is, I moved away decades ago. My grandfather always had a bottle of coke syrup from the pharmacy in his pantry. He’d always pour a healthy dollop into our glasses of Coke or Boost! to _kick it up a notch_. That and a bowl of Nanna’s lemon junket was _da bomb_ for dessert. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/15 "2019-12-20T09:22:28Z")
here’s more … some of them advertise as "cola flavored juice " god knows what they taste like > **[Cola Powder Drink-Cola Powder Drink Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters on...](https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?IndexArea=product_en&CatId=29104&fsb=y&viewtype=&tab=&SearchText=cola%2Bpowder%2Bdrink)** > > Cola Powder Drink Manufacturers & Cola Powder Drink Suppliers Directory - Find a Cola Powder Drink Manufacturer and Supplier. Choose Quality Cola Powder Drink Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters at Alibaba.com.Fruit & Vegetable Juice ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/16 "2019-12-20T10:40:51Z")
Kola Tonic, or Cola Tonic. A thick, non-carbonated cordial, used for mixing with alcoholic drinks and cocktails, or just with water or lemonade. Some brands use genuine kola nuts. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/17 "2019-12-20T11:57:03Z")
Kool-Aid back in the 60s also sold a cola-flavored powder. I thought it was fine. But it didn’t seem to last long. Starting even before it was called “Kook-Aid” and was still a liquid, they sold a root beer flavor which persisted far longer. I’d think that having a “head” was a greater requirement for root beer than cola. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/18 "2019-12-20T12:13:50Z")
yeah, I remember b&k (an a&w look-alike)would sell a rootbeer flavored drink in milk type half-gallon jugs and it wasn’t carbonated …just tasted like flat root beer … ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/19 "2019-12-20T14:05:04Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > I don’t know if they still do, but pharmacies used to sell straight Coca Cola syrup for stomach ailments. I once had a particularly bad case of food poisoning, and Coke syrup was all I could tolerate for a couple of days. This was in the 70s. My uncle would drink a Coke to settle an upset stomach. He usually didn’t drink much soda, but Coke helped when he was queasy. ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117/20 "2019-12-20T16:19:30Z")
I the 60’s, we had Fizzies: [https://www.oldtimecandy.com/pages/fizzies-drink-tablets](https://www.oldtimecandy.com/pages/fizzies-drink-tablets). No cola flavor and they didn’t taste very good. I would break them into pieces and suck on them, an early Pop Rocks. A couple of times I tried putting a full tablet in my mouth, but always had to spit it out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cola-only-popular-in-carbonated-form/845117.md?page=2)