Jose Robinson Lindley, an Englishman who immigrated to Peru, began a bottling company in Lima, Peru in 1911. Although they already bottled several flavors of soda, in 1935, Jose created Inca Kola. The primary ingredient is lemon verbena, a perennial shrub, who's leaves smell of lemon. The company grew steadily and within a decade Inca Kola became a defacto national beverage. Through the 1970's it was the country's most popular soda by market share. In the mid-90's a resurgence occurred due to several fast food chains dropping Coca-Cola for Inca Kola. But due to poor finances the company fell into debt and entered into a merger with Coca-Cola. The result was Coca-Cola owning the brand everywhere outside of Peru, but also owning a part of it within Peru.
Despite its name and color, it smells just like Big Red. This particular bottle must be a bit old as it seems totally flat. It also actually tastes quite a lot like Big Red. It's got that bubble-gum-cream flavor but there is the faintest hint of lemon in the finish. I seriously doubt with the modern, corporate ownership it still includes the herbs used to flavor the original. I was told that some need time to take to the flavor of this, but growing up around people who drank Big Red this doesn't seem strange at all to me. However I was never that big of a fan. If you do like Big Red, then you will like this.
I grow lemon verbena in my herb garden and love it. I just use it to flavor water and some herb vinegars. Have you tried any sodas that are just lemon?
ReplyDeleteThe closest thing to a lemon only soda I think I have had to date have been Lemon Icy Fanta and possibly a mixer at some point. I have a bottle of Lemmy awaiting review as well.
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