Zamzam Cola

Zamzam Cola has become an Iranian icon and is widely seen as a counterweight to American cola brands across Iran and parts of the Middle East. Ironically, its early history is tied directly to the United States. Zamzam Cola dates back to 1954, when the company was founded with support from Pepsi and operated as part of the American company’s international bottling system. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the business was taken over by the state and Pepsi withdrew, leaving Zamzam Cola to continue as a domestic brand. A cola often understood as anti-American was, in fact, brought into being with American help.

The name Zamzam refers to the holy Zamzam well in Mecca, a site of major religious importance in Islam. This reference gives the brand a cultural and symbolic weight that goes beyond the drink itself. Today, the company behind the brand, Zamzam, operates a broad beverage portfolio, while the Zamzam brand remains focused on the classic lineup of cola, orange, lemon, and carbonated water.