It’s not coke, it’s not Pepsi, it’s Cockta, the Yugoslavia homegrown cola beverage that came about at a time when foreign colas were difficult to obtain and they were looking for a viable competitor as well. I always love trying locally produced food and drinks of the areas I’m traveling to. It is one of the best reasons for travel, to taste the differences around the world Invented in Slovenia in the 1950s using local ingredients, it was an attempt to make a completely homegrown cola beverage and not simply a copy of other foreign colas. It has a bit of a medicinal taste to it, which we joked was a way to get all your daily vitamins, but it is what gives it its unique flavor and probably was necessary due to what could be sourced locally and for local tastes as well. It is actually seeing a bit of resurgence as of late as locals are looking for connections back to their youth when Cockta was one of the few choices they had available. On a possibly unrelated but interesting note, the Pepsi slogan that I modified for the title was Pepsi’s slogan until 1991, which is also the year when Yugoslavia truly began breaking up with the independence of Slovenia.
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I like this! Interesting about the cola as well as the historical background. I would definitely give Cockta a try (and I don’t usually drink any kind of cola).
Cathy Sweeney´s last [type] ..Breaking News: Houston is not Manhattan
Yeah definitely worth trying. I only really ever drink sodas when I’m traveling (or eating out sometimes), but it was fun trying things I don’t have back at home. It was at least different. The name definitely confuses friends back home though!
Nice shot, Anwar! I like trying out drinks when travelling, myself. Might have to go there one day just to try this. You have me curious now!!!
Andrew Graeme Gould´s last [type] ..Sydney, Australia: Traffic and strawberries
Definitely worth trying if you find yourself in the Balkans. I didn’t know it existed but a friend I was traveling with (on an earlier Balkan trip) had tried it and recommended it. I would have probably missed it otherwise. So I made sure this time to try it and photograph it as well.
Interesting! Reminds me of India’s Thums Up
Sophie´s last [type] ..Newquay for kids
I haven’t had thums up in years! My parents are on their way home from visiting india right now, should have asked them to bring back some haha.
Best part of traveling! Love trying new foods.
Heather´s last [type] ..Hawaiian Island Cruise
Yes I totally agree, sometimes i can be a bit scary trying things you don’t know what they are, but I’ve learned to be better at getting over those fears these days. Do you have any favorites of things you tried while traveling that you didn’t know about before you had left?
It sounds like a drink that has a great taste. Nice post
Yah its pretty good and has a distinctive taste. It is definitely worth trying if you are in the area. Thanks Geoff for stopping by and commenting.
Too funny…great minds think alike. It’s a cola sort of posting week!
Beth Shepherd´s last [type] ..San Diego sunset
Ahh I saw your post too! I was just sitting outside earlier in the week drinking a soda at lunch and thinking about food posts. Maybe it’s a spring sort of weather thing perhaps!
You’re very adventurous – I never quite have the nerve to taste those funny looking cans and bottles of juice and soda in foreign countries.
Sonja´s last [type] ..Photo Friday: Getting Silly at the Eiffel Tower
Oh those are among my favorite things to do! I always try to find new things I havent tried before. I tend to try to stay away from things that might kill me, although that happens too . I should really do a post on the different soda or beverages I’ve encountered uniquely around the world.
For me, the cola name was a definite head turner. I thought I read it wrong for a second. I also like the fact that you mentioned it had medicinal value. The only soft drinks I know that can say that are the ginger root beers which you can clearly see has ginger bits in it. At least you can tell yourself, you’re getting some antioxidants.
I love trying the local drinks too. When I’m traveling to India, I prefer Limca or Maaza (mango drink). It’s refreshing and flavorful.
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Ahh yes Limca and Maaza. I’ve had both before! I do like Limca. I think I’ve seen it here in the US before too somewhere at some Indian restaurants, but I could be wrong. I know you can get Maaza though in places. Well I don’t know if the drink actually has medicinal value, but it definitely tasted medicinal!
I love that Maaza, Limca and even Thums Up are available in most of the Indian grocery stores around my area. Whenever I crave for that taste, I can drop by the store and pick it up.
I don’t think they medicinal value but I feel great after drinking them; that’s gotta count for something…esp. on a hot summer day.
Btw, where did your travel to in India?
Jahnavi @ Indian Khana Made Easy´s last [type] ..Instant Uttapams (Indian Pancakes)
I will have to try to pick some up! It’s been so long since I had any of those. I’ve been to Hyderabad (twice) and I’ve been to New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Bombay (when it was still called that) when I was much younger.
Definitely one for the supermarket souvenirs. Cool packaging.
Jennifer Howze´s last [type] ..Photo Friday: My first home improvement project
They were keen on me not taking the glass bottle…but i guess maybe i should have tried to get one from a grocery store for a souvenir perhaps!
What interesting drink history lesson! I love the shot too. I always forget to take food pictures.
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Ya the history behind it is really cool, and it makes complete sense. They couldn’t easily get western goods so they had to invent their own substitutes.
Always interesting to see how other countries adapt food and drink. Great shot!
Thanks Nancie, I agree! So much about travel to places can be found in the food and drink of those locations.
How cool! I love visiting grocery stores in foreign places and seeing what the locals eat and drink. It’s always fascinating to see something familiar with different packaging. Of course, I’ve always forgotten to take photos too. The shot looks very refreshing.
Mary @ The World Is A Book´s last [type] ..Geyser Gazing at Yellowstone National Park
I’m usually like you Mary, I tend to forget to take photos (or I have a really small or bad camera w/ me so the photos come out grainy). But I made an effort for this meal to get a photo for documentation purposes.
I completely agree with you that tasting the differences around the world is one of the greatest parts of travel. I really like that you photographed this drink. Whenever I get back home I always wish that I had taken pictures of the unique food and drinks that I’ve tasted during my travels, but somehow I never remember to do it while I’m there!
Andi at The Particular Traveler´s last [type] ..My Favorite Airport
I often times don’t remember to take photos, it took more than 1 attempt to photograph it. Generally I seem to forget because I’m too hungry or thirsty and then think about it as I’m halfway through!