11 International Coca-Cola Products You Can't Buy in the U.S.

JBox, iStock
JBox, iStock | JBox, iStock

If you think Vanilla Coke is the most exotic Coca-Cola product on shelves, think again. Coke’s international roster of sodas features some heavy hitters made with unique ingredients catering to the local tastes of far-flung places like Thailand, South Africa, Brazil, and Finland.

1. SPARLETTA


Made in the Republic of South Africa since 1955, Sparletta is one of the most popular soft drinks throughout southern Africa. With its unique range of flavors, including Cherry Plum and Coconut Pineapple, Sparletta is aimed at young adults, and its slogan, “Live a little and have fun,” is meant to evoke a sense of playful rebellion.

Find it: Amazon

2. KINLEY SODA


Available in Central Europe and immensely popular in India, Kinley comes in a range of carbonated fruit flavors such as Bitter Grapefruit and Raspberry, as well as more basic offerings like tonic water and club soda. According to Coca-Cola, Kinley has become the number one soda brand in India since its launch in 2002.

Find it: Amazon

3. KUAT


Kuat is one of the most popular beverages in Brazil, and fans in the U.S. have lobbied for years to bring the guaraná-based drink stateside. Guaraná is a naturally caffeinated berry, providing a nice energy burst and unique flavor. Kuat, named after the Amazonian sun god, proved so popular that the Coca-Cola company was forced to plant additional guaraná seeds to fulfill the ever-growing demand. Kuat is nearly impossible to find online, but similar Brazilian guaraná-based drinks are available, such as Guaraná Antarctica, made in Brazil since 1921.

Find Guaraná Antarctica: Walmart

4. BIBO

Another African favorite, Bibo comes in a wide range of fruity flavors that are enjoyed across the continent. The most popular flavor is Bibo Candy Pine-Nut, a combination of pineapple and coconut. Impossible to find on retail shelves in America, and equally difficult to track down online, Bibo can only be found stateside at the Coca-Cola museums in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

Visit the Museum

5. THUMS UP


Don’t you dare spell it with a ‘B!’ Thums Up, first introduced in the 1970s and purchased by Coke in 1993, has remained one of the most popular soft drinks in India for decades. The beverage is described by the Coca-Cola Company as a “strong cola with a spicy bite.” In India, Thums Up has a reputation for being a strong, “masculine” drink, as evidenced by its slogan: “Taste of Thunder.”

Find it: Amazon

6. INCA KOLA


Known as the “Golden Kola,” Inca Kola was created in Peru in 1935 and has stayed popular ever since. Its sweet, fruity taste has led to comparisons to liquid bubblegum. Chefs in Peru have been known to incorporate Inca Kola into traditional Peruvian dishes, fusing traditional gourmet cooking with a more modern flavor palate. With its extra high sugar content and unique yellow coloring, Inca Kola will give you a jolt of flavor and energy—if you can track it down!

Find it: Amazon

7. FANTA MELON FROSTY


The worldwide popularity of Fanta cannot be denied—with its ubiquitous ad campaigns and wide range of flavors, Fanta is a global phenomenon. The Melon variety is incredibly popular in Japan and Thailand with its sweet, refreshing flavor—perfect for a hot day in a tropical climate.

Find it: JBox

8. MEZZO MIX


First introduced in Germany in 1973, Mezzo Mix is a tantalizing blend of classic Coke flavor with a hint of orange. Similar to Spezi, a German beverage comprised of a mix of cola and orange soda, Mezzo Mix is frequently used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks, or consumed by itself over ice. The Mezzo Mix slogan, roughly translated to English, is “Cola Kisses Orange.” It is officially produced and sold only in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Finland, but Mezzo Mix still has a cult following in the U.S.

Find it: Amazon

9. MATTE LEÃO


Matte Leão is a Brazilian tea brand that was purchased by Coca-Cola in 2007. The company boasts a range of over 100 teas, including numerous pre-bottled iced teas in exotic, fruity flavors including Boa Noite (Good Night), Silvestre (strawberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant), and Tropical. Mate, which is a very caffeine-rich herb, is consumed all over South America and even in parts of the Middle East, ensuring that Matte Leão will always have a fan base.

Find it: Amigo Foods

10. NORDIC MIST


Originally introduced in the United States in 1992 across the major cities of the Eastern Seaboard, Nordic Mist is a line of soft drink mixers that comes in varieties like bitter lemon, ginger ale, and tonic water. Eventually, the mixer was phased out of the U.S. market and is now only available in Belgium, Chile, Finland, Luxembourg, Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, and Spain. Several fan websites exist in support of bringing Nordic Mist back to America, where it is regarded as one of the tastiest mixers, especially perfect for a gin and tonic.

Find it: Uvinum

11. LILT


Immensely popular in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, as well as more tropical locales like Seychelles and Gibraltar, Lilt is a carbonated beverage famous for its flagship flavor: Pineapple and Grapefruit. Other flavors in Lilt’s arsenal include Mango and Mandarin, Banana and Peach, as well as Diet variants with fewer or zero calories. The product’s well-known slogan is “The totally tropical taste,” and, unlike many of its United States counterparts, Lilt is made with real fruit juices.

Find it: Amazon