Last weekend, I traveled with my girl and her family to Atlanta. While there, we had the pleasure of checking out the World of Coca-Cola. The HQ for Coke is in Atlanta, and they have a super cool museum and tour involved (building pictured above). It was for sure a highlight of the trip. You get to see all types of cool things Coca-Cola related, and learn about the history of one of the most recognizable and famous brands in the world.
One of the COOLEST parts of this museum is the taste room at the end. You are taken to a giant room and get a tasting cup. There are giant pillars in the room titled North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Each station has tons of Coca-Cola brand sodas available in other parts of the world to try. I took a picture of my favorite in each area. Check them out!
Asia
This “Smart Apple” joint from China was the bomb diggy (yeah, I just wrote that). It wasn’t like actual, apple flavored, but more like the artificial flavoring (think green apple Jolly Ranchers). It was SLAMMIN, and blew most of that Asian stuff out of the water. This was a no-brainer in that section.
Europe
Judging by the logo, and the description of “bitter lemon,” I did not expect to like this stuff. However, it was dang good. It reminded me of kind of a Ginger Ale, except more like Sprite. LEGIT. Europe was also home to the “Beverly” soda from Italy. That was the most disgusting shit I have ever tasted. Like liquid hot garbarge streaming off an elephant’s ass-crack. Don’t ever drink it.
South America
I remembered drinking this stuff in Costa Rica when I was there on Spring Break 5 years ago. It’s marginally good, but the nostalgia level of drinking it on Spring Break and walking down to the corner store to get it really made me like it more. It’s probably not as good as I think it is.
North America
So, I had of course had pretty much all of the North American options…except this one. I love Cherry Coke, and I like Coke Zero. Cherry Coke Zero is SLAMMIN. Just as good, if not better, than Cherry Coke. I hadn’t seen it before, but I sure hope to see it again.
Africa
This stuff is HELLA-GOOD. I’m going to go out on a limb and say my favorite of all, even more than the North American stuff. It was like Strawberry Fanta (if you’ve ever had that) except fruitier and better. Delicious. If you are ever in Zimbabwe, ship a case of it to me.
Love this post! Beverly still has the top hated spot, huh? It also came in at #1 when I went here on a 4th grade field trip. Ahh, memories.
And you can get cherry coke zero in a bottle at some gas stations. Just FYI
good stuff man – great post. international sodas are always a fun an interesting experience. i wonder how they come up with some of these names though … spar-berry??? makes me think of like a caffeine-infused gatorade/sports drink positioned to give you tons of energy and electrolytes at the same time so you can kick some teeth in!
Orange fanta was WAY better in europe than it is here in the states… i think they use a different type of sweetener or something
Re: the night time image of the world of coke building in Atlanta… is it available for limited use on one email blast for one of my clients? What is the resolution of the image?
Please advise,
Liz Pangerl