Kola Champagne

A Kola Champagne is a carbonated drink that is neither cola nor champagne. The name comes not from grapes or kola nuts, but from its lively fizz—an echo of champagne—and the Latin American habit of using “cola” as a catch-all word for soft drinks. Over the years it has also been marketed under variations such as “Champagne Cola,” “Cola Champagne,” and “Kolashampan,” depending on the country.

The drink originated in Puerto Rico in 1902, when Spanish army vetaran Ángel Rivero Méndez (1856–1930) launched the first version. From there it spread throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, where local bottlers quickly adopted the style and made it their own. Despite the grand name, the formula typically consists of carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, artificial flavors, and a touch of yellow or amber coloring. The taste is often described as bubblegum-like or similar to cream soda.

Over time, Kola Champagne has been produced in dozens of local brands, each with its own loyal following. In Puerto Rico, Santurce Kola Champagne (1902) remains the original reference point. Jamaica embraced the style through D&G Kola Champagne, while El Salvador has La Cascada Kolashampan (1950s). Haiti’s Couronne Kola Champagne and Colombia’s Colombiana are still popular today. Inca Kola (1935) is the national soft drink of Peru. The U.S. has its own version through Goya, and in Brazil the brand Cotuba offers a local twist. In Pakistan, Pakola Ice Cream Soda is regarded as part of the same family of bright yellow soft drinks.

In the end, Kola Champagne is popular especially in Central and South America, but it really has nothing to do with cola as most people know it.

A selection of kola champagnes

Fun fact
In Spanish-speaking countries “cola” can mean many things—tail, bottom, cigarette butt, glue, even faggot. If you actually want a Coke, it’s safer to ask for “una coca por favor“.