Quick facts
| Founded | 1886 by John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Country | USA (HQ); imports we stock from USA, Mexico, Japan |
| Made by | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Dietary status | Vegan-suitable; contains caffeine (about 32mg per 330ml); not halal certified across all variants |
About Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola was created in 1886 by pharmacist John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia, originally as a patent medicine before its sale to Asa Griggs Candler in 1888 transformed it into the world's largest soft drink. The Coca-Cola Company now operates in over 200 countries with multiple regional recipe formulations. The most-imported variants for UK shoppers are Mexican Coca-Cola (made with real cane sugar in iconic glass bottles), American Cherry and Vanilla Coke (specialty flavours not stocked in UK supermarkets), and limited-edition Japanese flavours.
The Coca-Cola range we stock
Six imported Coca-Cola variants covering Mexican glass-bottle Coke, American Cherry and Vanilla flavours.
| Variant | Profile |
|---|---|
| Mexican Coca-Cola 355ml glass bottle | Made with real cane sugar instead of HFCS. Iconic glass bottle, cult-followed for taste |
| Cherry Coke 355ml (USA) | Cherry-flavoured Coke variant. Long-running American specialty flavour |
| Vanilla Coke 355ml (USA) | Vanilla-flavoured Coke. Discontinued and reintroduced multiple times in the US |
| Cherry Vanilla Coke 355ml | Combined Cherry and Vanilla notes for a richer flavour profile |
| Coke Zero Cherry 355ml | Zero-sugar version of Cherry Coke with the cherry flavour profile retained |
| Coca-Cola Original USA 355ml | The American HFCS recipe in standard can. Sweeter than UK reformulated Coke |
Ingredients and allergens
Standard American Coca-Cola contains carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, natural flavours and caffeine (around 32mg per 330ml). Mexican Coca-Cola substitutes cane sugar for HFCS, which is the single most-cited reason for its cult following. Cherry and Vanilla variants add natural and artificial flavourings. All variants are vegan-suitable. Coca-Cola is not formally halal certified across the full range. Contains caffeine. The natural flavour blend (the "secret formula") has never been officially disclosed and remains one of the most-protected trade secrets in the soft drink industry. Always check the back of each individual can or bottle for the most accurate allergen and dietary information.
Who Coca-Cola imports are for
Mexican Coke fans: Mexican Coke is the most-followed import in the category, with shoppers specifically seeking out the cane sugar recipe and glass-bottle format. Widely considered the best-tasting Coke variant by long-time Coke drinkers.
Cherry Coke and specialty variant seekers: the American Cherry, Vanilla and Cherry Vanilla variants are not stocked in UK supermarkets, making imports the practical route. Pair with our Dr Pepper Cherry imports for full cherry-soda variety.
Sweeter recipe shoppers: American Coca-Cola contains more sugar per serving than UK Coke after the 2018 sugar tax reformulation. American import tastes noticeably sweeter.
Pick-and-mix soda buyers: the 355ml can and glass-bottle formats work for variety packs. Pair with our Fanta imports and 7Up imports for full American drinks selections.
Buy Coca-Cola imports online in the UK
Build your basket from across the Coca-Cola range and our wider imported drinks selection to qualify for free UK delivery over £20. Coca-Cola pairs especially well with our Dr Pepper and Fanta imports. Order before our daily cut-off for same-day dispatch.
Coca-Cola imports: frequently asked questions
Why does Mexican Coke taste different?
Mexican Coca-Cola is made with real cane sugar instead of the high fructose corn syrup used in most American Coke production. Many drinkers report that cane sugar produces a cleaner, less cloying sweetness and a more authentic taste closer to how Coke tasted before HFCS became standard in the US in the 1980s. Mexican Coke also comes in iconic glass bottles, which (because glass doesn't leach plasticisers like aluminium cans or plastic bottles can) maintain the cleanest possible flavour profile.
How is American Coke different from UK Coke?
American Coke uses high fructose corn syrup and contains around 10.6g of sugar per 100ml, while UK Coca-Cola was reformulated in 2018 to use a mixed sugar-and-sweetener recipe with 10.6g sugar per 100ml but a partial replacement with stevia and other sweeteners in some formats. The American version is widely reported to taste sweeter and more carbonated. Cherry and Vanilla variants are American-only specialties not stocked in UK supermarkets.
How much caffeine is in Coca-Cola?
Standard Coca-Cola contains around 32mg of caffeine per 330ml can, lower than Dr Pepper (around 41mg per 355ml) and significantly lower than energy drinks like Monster (160mg per 500ml). The caffeine level is the same across the Cherry, Vanilla and other flavour variants. Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola exists in the US but is rarely imported to the UK.
Is Coca-Cola vegan?
Yes. Coca-Cola is vegan-suitable across all variants. The recipe contains no animal-derived ingredients. There was a historical question about the use of fish-derived isinglass in some manufacturing filtration processes, but Coca-Cola has confirmed publicly that no animal-derived processing aids are used in modern production. Always check the back of each individual can for the latest dietary information.