Food - News
Why Isn’t It Rum And Pepsi?
By ALLISON LINDSEY
According to a poll conducted by Mashed, 64% of consumers prefer Coke over Pepsi, but not necessarily because of its superior flavor. The story of how Coke dominated both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage markets is more about a battle of business strategy than a battle of tastes.
Following WWI, most cola brands declared bankruptcy due to a sugar shortage, but Coca-Cola sold their secret formula in exchange for a bank loan, at the exact time the American cocktail was on the rise. Meanwhile, Pepsi revived itself from the market crash of 1929 by instating a low-price initiative, but it was too late.
Coke became the American people’s drink mixer of choice simply because of financial fortune; it joined the cocktail scene long before Pepsi got the chance. Rum and Cokes already existed around 1900, originating in Havana, and The Andrews Sisters’ 1944 hit song "Rum and Coca-Cola" cemented the combination into pop culture.