parks
Communist scientists built a Cold War cola to beat Coke. It’s still a hit — along with these 7 other global rivals
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 17, 2026
· 6 min read
By Mike Dunphy, CNN
(CNN) — When American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton reached his eureka moment on May 8, 1886, his formula for what would become Coca-Cola sparked a global soft drink revolution that still reverberates today.
In fact, it’s now possible to “buy the world a Coke,” as the 19...
Key takeaway What’s actually in this formula is a secret recipe of 14 herbal and fruit extracts, plus caffeine, created during the Cold War in then Czechoslovakia.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The story of global cola rivals like Kofola and Cockta may seem distant from El Paso , but it highlights the city's own experience with international trade and cultural exchange. As a major border city, El Paso has a unique position in the global market, with many local businesses relying on trade with neighboring countries. The success of indie colas like Kofola and Cockta in international markets shows that even small, regional brands can compete with global giants, a lesson that could be applied to El Paso's own entrepreneurs and small business owners. Additionally, the city's diverse cultural heritage, with strong ties to Mexico and other Latin American countries, makes it an ideal place to explore and appreciate the unique flavors and ingredients of international colas. As El Paso continues to grow and develop its own food and beverage scene, it will be interesting to see if any local brands can follow in the footsteps of Kofola and Cockta and make a name for themselves on the global stage.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Mike Dunphy, CNN
(CNN) — When American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton reached his eureka moment on May 8, 1886, his formula for what would become Coca-Cola sparked a global soft drink revolution that still reverberates today.
In fact, it’s now possible to “buy the world a Coke,” as the 19...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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