cola

I was out shopping the other day and I realized that I needed some Mountain Dew. The problem is that the Mountain Dew at Walmart was ridiculously expensive. I would be going to a competitor in a few days, but needed something to tide me over until then. I ended up getting a six pack of Cola.

As you can see, I don’t mean Cola as short-hand for Coca-Cola or Pepsi and I don’t mean that I got Sam’s Choice Cola. I mean that I got Cola. That’s what it’s called. In white lettering with silver outlining and red shadow on a blue can with black dots. Cola. They didn’t even feign an attempt at trying to brand it something the way that various convenience stores do (Big K Cola, Sam’s Choice Cola, etc.). The only indication of its mysterious origins is that it was bottled by Cott Beverages, of Tampa, Florida.

It’s so generic it almost makes me feel like I am in a movie. Because absent product placement, all their cans usually say is “Cola.”


Category: Market

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8 Responses to Cola

  1. Peter says:

    Off-brand colas do not contain any Kola nut extract. Their flavor comes from a mixture of cinnamon, vanilla and citrus oils.

  2. Mike Hunt Rice says:

    I cannot drink generic cola or diet cola. Same with generic Dr Pepper. The flavor combination is too tough to replicate.

    I can drink any sort of generic soda that has a distinct flavor, such as root beer, cream soda, lemon-lime, etc.

    Since Dr Pepper isn’t a flavor per se, there is no generic term for it. Therefore, everyone has their own.

    • trumwill says:

      I am with you on Dr Pepper. Coke I can do.

      Like Mountain Dew, it’s interesting to see all the variations of the same name they will come up with.

      I’ll bet some people who buy Sierra Mist end up very disappointed.

      • CGHill says:

        I hated Sierra Mist when it came out, but have gradually come to see it as a reasonable Spritealike.

        My cola of choice, however, remains Royal Crown.

        • Trumwill says:

          Yeah, Sierra Mist is a suitable Sprite substitute. It’s just that the name pattern heavily suggests it’s a Mountain Dew substitute.

          Coca-Cola has actually done reasonably well on the MD-knockoff front. Taste-wise, at least, both Surge and Vault were worthy efforts. Neither were successful, though, so they’re back to pushing Mello Yello.

  3. Kirk says:

    I’ve had the exact cola you’re talking about. I liked it about as good as Coke or Sam’s Club cola.

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