21 Most Popular Soft Drinks in Kenya

9 April 2023|Beverage & Drink

This post is a review on the most popular soft drinks in Kenya, ingredients, taste and how they compare to the rest.

The country has a wide range and options for soft drinks. Most brands are from multinational companies; Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co. Inc. Local beverage companies make up a small percentage of the total market share.

However, multinationals have a bigger advantage on scales of technology, resources, and expertise. Also, they are well-established and recognized widely.

Local companies on the other hand have better knowledge of the local market; the taste preferences, and can compete very well in terms of pricing. This is due to low production and logistical costs and knowing consumers’ price sensitivity.

In this post, we will discuss the common drinks that you will literally find everywhere even in the remote parts of Kenya, and they are as follows

List of soft drink brands in Kenya

Cocacola
Fanta
Sprite
Minute Maid
Afia
Lucozade
Ribena
Power Play
Mountain Dew
Predator
Mirinda
Safari Lemonade
Pepsi
Krest-Bitter Lemon
Redbull
7-Up
Monster
Schweppes-Ginger Ale abd Tonic
Stoney-Tangawizi
Alvaro

1. Coca Cola

Commonly known as Coke. it is a widely and the most common consumed brand in Kenya for over 70 years. It still has the original taste since 1886, with a refreshing taste. It has a sweet and acidic caramel taste with hints of nutmeg.

The main ingredients are Carbonated water, Sugar, Caramel, Phosphoric Acid, Flavoring, and Caffeine. It is best served chilled.

It is available in 350ml,500ml,1.25L, and 2L plastic bottles.

500ml soda is KSh 75, 1L is KSh 130, and 2L is KSh 190

The recycled glass bottles; are 300ml,500ml, and 1L. The canned version at 330ml.

2. Fanta

This is a fruit-flavored soda by Coca-Cola. It is the go-to choice for children and women because of its fruity and sweet taste.

Also, Fanta in Kenya has different flavors; Orange, Passion, and Blackcurrant. Other classic flavors like Citrus, Pineapple, and Watermelon have been discontinued.

I mean yeah, Fanta watermelon was a monstrosity that tasted like a melted ice lolly, but at least pineapple was okay, and citrus was divine. Please bring back Fanta Citrus

The mysterious ‘Fanta Blue-guess the flavor’ was a limited-time flavor that was weird looking and tasting too, but it doesn’t exist anymore.

Fantas come in the same sizes as Coca-Cola above. Orange is the most popular flavor of Fanta in Kenya, it is followed by Passion and then Black Currant.

Has approximately 93kJ for 100ml serving ( 3,38 fl oz. )

Fanta Ingredients: Non-Nutritive Sweeteners (Acesulfame-K, Aspartame*, Sucralose), Preservatives (Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate), Flavoring, Ascorbic acid, Colourants (Sunset Yellow, Carmoisine).

3. Sprite

Owned by Coca-Cola, Sprite was introduced in Kenya in the 90’s. It is the go-to drink for lemon-lime flavor.

Sprite is caffeine free and it is the soda for those who don’t like soda. It is sparkling, clear, and mild taste-wise, unlike conventional sodas that are intensely fizzy, refreshing, flavorful, and punchy.

Used to accompany alcoholic drinks sometimes as the lemon-lime balances and compliments the drink.

Calories: approx 53kJ for 100ml.

Sprite Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Citric acid, Flavoring, Sodium Citrate, Non-nutritive Sweeteners (Acesulfame-K, Aspartame*), Preservative (Sodium Benzoate).

4. Minute Maid

This is a fruit juice brand owned by Coca-Cola. So yeah, Minute Maid it is not a soda.

It is advertised as healthy with some blends claiming to have real mango bits and real orange pulps. The bits and pulps don’t taste “natural” at least according to me.

The blends sold are Mango, Tropical, and Apple. Available in 400ml and 1L bottles.

There are versions with added milk known as Minute Maid Nectar, they cost a little more than the standard ones but are richer

Calories: approx 271.96kJ/100ml

Minute Maid Ingredients: Water, Sugar, Pulp (11%), Acidity Regulator (330), Antioxidant (300), and Preservative (202).

5. Afia

Owned by a local brand Kevian Foods, it is the closest competitor to Minute Maid. It offers the same blends if not more. Made from refreshing pulps constituents.

Afia is the better value if you are buying a fruit drink as it is cheaper at 500ml than Minute Maid at 400ml, it is thicker and has more depth to its flavors

Afia flavors; Mango, Tropical, Multi-Vitamin, Tropical Carrot, Guava, Orange,

And if you want a Minute Maid Nectar alternative, there is Afia Tropical-Carrot with milk

Calories: approx 1192kJ/100ml

Afia is available in 300ml, 500ml, 750ml and 1L

Afia ingredients are as follows; Water, Sugar, Concentrate 7.7%, Stabilizer-Pectin (E440), Acidity Regulator (E330), and Iodized Salt.

6. Lucozade

Lucozade, a British brand is a popular glucose-energy drink in Kenya. It is owned by Suntory Beverage & Food Kenya Limited.

It is available in the Boost and Original versions. The boost one is packed in TetraPak boxes, while the classic Original is in Glass/PETs

Lucozade is made to provide instant energy when needed. So it is an energy drink packing glucose instead of caffeine like other energy drinks

Calories: approx 1485kJ/100ml

Lucozade Ingredients: Carbonated Water● Glucose Syrup● Orange Juice From Concentrate● Citric Acid (Acid)● Sodium Gluconate (Acidity Regulator)● Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)● Aspartame (Artificial Sweetener)● Acesulfame-K (Artificial Sweetener)● Acacia Gum (Stabilizer)● Flavourings● Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant)● Beta-Carotene (Color).

7.Ribena

Produced in the UK in 1938, Ribena is a vitamin C-rich drink. The original and signature brand is blackcurrant flavored, made from British blackcurrant berries.

However, other flavors and blends have rolled out like Strawberry, Peach, and Apple all with Blackcurrant. It is available ready to drink or in cordial form, which is diluted down before consumption.

Calories approx 54kJ/100ml.

Ribena Ingredients; Water● Concentrate (7%)● Sugar● Thickener (Polydextrose)● Acidity Regulator (Sodium Gluconate)● Extract of Carrot and Hibiscus● Vitamin C● Natural Blackcurrant Flavourings● Acid (Citric Acid)● Sweeteners (Acesulfame K● Sucralose).

8. Power Play

Power Play is dark brown in color, fizzy with a light yet thick consistency. Launched by Coca-Cola in Kenya and other African countries, Power Play offers energy boosts for busy schedules. It is cheaper relatively and available in 400ml plastic bottles.

The initial taste of Power Play is the fizzing carbonated water with a subtle zing and tanginess. Texture-wise, it is bubbly and thick, with a consistency almost of a beer. It is not bubbly like a beer, however,

It has a notable taste, it is not terrible tho, though it just exists there for a few minutes

It is powered by caffeine and ginseng and then sweetened with sugar. Ginseng is an herb resembling a ginger root.

Packs high levels of sugar(12g in 100ml), and 30mg/100ml of caffeine, which is equivalent to one cup of coffee so it should be consumed in moderation. The entire bottle contains 120mg of caffeine which is almost equivalent to a double shot of espresso

Calories: 208kJ/100ml

Power Play Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caffeine, Colorant(Caramel E150d), Preservative(Potassium Sorbate), Ascorbic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nicotinamide(B3) & Guarana Seed Extract

9. Mountain Dew

It is the first listing from PepsiCo in this compilation. It is citrus flavored and though not as popular as the first 3 listings, it has a loyal following. It was introduced in Kenya in the early 2000s and its association with adventure and thrill makes it popular among people with active lifestyles, especially teens and young adults. I wonder if PepsiCo still operates in Kenya as the bottles I get are imported from neighboring Tanzania.

It packs 199kJ for a 100ml serving.

Mountain Dew Ingredients: Carbonated water, Sugar, Citric Acid, Flavors, Preservatives, Thickeners, and Colors.

10. Predator

Predator is a sister brand to Power Play both by Energy Beverages LLC in Ireland. Both energy drinks are however made in Kenya by Coca-Cola, and they sell for the same price. Predator is slightly lighter brown in color when compared side by side.

Taste-wise, predator’s first impression is the fruity smell upon cracking it open, on tasting is milder compared to the punchy Power Play, less fizzy and more on the flat side, less zingy and more sweeter. It also has a cleaner taste with no intense aftertaste.

Ingredients are different from Power Play. Predator is mainly powered by caffeine and taurine, as opposed to caffeine and ginseng in Power Play.

Predator also packs 38kJ more for the same serving, probably due to the slightly more sugar content. The caffeine concentration is the same in both energy drinks, however.

Lastly, the predator is sweetened by both sugar itself and inositol, a naturally occurring sugar in fruits, nuts, and grains

Calories: 238kJ/100ml

Predator Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Taurine(0.1%), Tartaric Acid, Preservative(Sodium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate), Caffeine(0.03%), Colorant( Caramel E150d), Nicotinamide(B3), Inositol(0.001%) & Vitamin B6

11. Mirinda

This soda brand is owned by PepsiCo. It competes directly with Coca-Cola’s Fanta as it offers fruity flavors. They include; Orange, Fruity, and Green Apple(shown in the image).

12. Safari Lemonade

A bottled lemonade drink by Bounty Ltd, an affiliate of London Distillers(K) Ltd. This is a local beverage, lime-based and carbonated. Comes in one size, 300ml PET. Safari Lemonade won the 2021 award for ‘Most Preferred Emerging Beverage’ by Kenya Beverage Excellence Awards. Advertised as a refreshing beverage and a chaser too for alcoholic drinks. This is the closest you get to a Lemonade stand in Kenya.

13. Pepsi

Despite being one of the most popular carbonated drinks in the world, it is not that widespread in Kenya. Owned by PepsiCo, it is the closest competitor to Coke as they are both Cola drinks. It is refreshing and sweet with acidity significantly lower than Coke. Also, it is slightly sweeter and less punchy.

Pepsi comes in different varieties; Diet, Zero Sugar, and regular. The diet version has zero calories.

Calories(Regular): 200kJ/100ml

Pepsi Ingredients: Carbonated Water● Acidity Regulator (338● 330● 331)● Sweetener (951● 950)● Preservative (211)● Caffeine. Permitted Natural Color (150D) And Added Flavor (Natural Flavoring Substances).

14. Krest

A bitter lemon soda and a great alternative to Tonic. This brand is owned by Coca-Cola. It has a bubbly bitter taste and a sweet aftertaste. The brand name has been replaced with Schweppes but is still widely referred to as Krest. Used as a mixer for alcohol and cocktails, or drank chilled as a refreshing drink.

Calories: approx 192kJ/100ml

Krest Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Quinine (40ml/L), Sodium Benzoate and Sodium Citrate.

Schweppes Bitter Lemon [ Formerly Krest ]

15. Redbull

Redbull gives you wings, might as well jump off the roof to prove this. It is a world-famous functional energy drink that activates the body and mind. High in caffeine, contains taurine and sugar among other ingredients it is best served chilled. High caffeine content means it should be consumed in moderation. Redbull themselves suggest that you shouldn’t consume more than 4 cans a day. Excessive consumption could lead to increased heart rate and Insomnia.

Calories: 188kJ/100ml

Redbull Ingredients: Water● Sucrose● Glucose● Acidulant (Citric Acid)● Carbon Dioxide● Taurine (0. 4%)● Acidity Regulators (Sodium Bicarbonate● Magnesium Carbonate)● Flavors (natural and artificial)● Color (caramel)● Caffeine (0. 03%)● Vitamins (Niacin● B6● B2● B12).

16. Monster

Monster is available in 4 variants; Original Energy(Green), Zero Ultra(Silver), Mule(Black-Orange), and Mucho Loco(Blue-Orange). The Original Energy was the first one to be launched and the most common one available. Monster is distinct in offering large serving sizes unlike the competitors 500ml can in contrast to 250ml from Redbull. To add on their cost is almost identical.

Review: 5 Main Monster Energy Drink Flavors in Kenya

Monster also has a sweet taste and different flavors to choose from. Thus Monster gives you more value. Monster is owned and distributed by Coca-Cola Beverages.

Calories: Differ with flavor, however, the range is between 240 to 280kJ/100ml

Original Monster Ingredients: Glucose, Taurine, Panax Ginseng Extract, L-Carnitine, Caffeine, Glucuronolactone, Inositol, Guarana Extract, Maltodextrin. Carbonated Water, Sugar, Glucose, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Taurine, Sodium Citrate, Color Added, Panax Ginseng Extract, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, Caffeine, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Benzoic Acid (Preservative), Niacinamide (Vit. B3), Sucralose, Salt, D-Glucuronolactone, Inositol, Guarana Extract, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6), Riboflavin (Vit. B2), Maltodextrin, Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12).

17. 7-Up

A crisp lemon lime soda by Pepsi Co. Competes closely with Coca-Cola’s Sprite. Its name is derived from the seven ingredients used originally. It is clear, sparkling, bubbly, and refreshing. Used as a soft drink or a cocktail mixer.

Calories: 11.4g/100ml

7 Up Ingredients: Carbonated Water● Sugar● Acidity Regulators (330● 331● 296)● Preservative (211).

18. Club Sodas

This is Kenya’s locally produced soda taking on Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co. Owned by Highlands Drinks Limited. Packs up to 10 different flavors; Cola, Orange, Lemon-Lime, Black Currant, Passion, Pineapple, Tangawizi(Ginger), Mango, Apple, and Pina Colada.

The sodas however are underwhelming, flavors are mild and the sugar amount overpowers everything.

Club Soda Ingredients: Purified Carbonated Water● Sugar● Acidity Regulators(330● 331)● Preservative (211)● Stabilizers (414● 415)● Permitted Food Colors and Natural Flavors.

19. Schweppes

Introduced in 1783 by Schweppe. The brand is owned by Coca-Cola. In Kenya, it is available in the following variants; Tonic Water, Lemon-Lime, Soda Water, and Ginger Ale

Tonic Water is calorie-free and is used to mix cocktails or drank as a soft drink. It is made from carbonated water and quinine. Soda water too is to be enjoyed with cocktails or as a beverage by itself. Soda water includes carbonated water and Sodium Bicarbonate.

Ginger Ale meanwhile is a carbonated soft drink with ginger flavor. It is produced through a non-alcoholic method. It is refreshing on its own or used in cocktails and can be used to help with constipation and digestive disorders.

Ginger Ale tastes like Sprite but with extra steps, it is mild and subtle with a light bubbly consistency, light, smooth, and non-sticky with almost no taste, it has no intense ginger flavor or pungent smell like Stoney, another ginger-based drink

20. Stoney

Made from ginger flavor and carbonated water. It has a strong pungent ginger smell and is owned by Coca-Cola. It has a spicy taste.

Calories: 102kJ/100ml

Stoney Tangawizi Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidulants, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Stabilizers and Preservatives.

21. Alvaro

Alvaro unlike most of this list, is not a carbonated soft drink but a non-alcoholic malt drink. It is produced in Kenya by East African Breweries Limited (EABL). It is pineapple-flavored.

Calories:527kJ/100ml

Alvaro Ingredients: Toned Milk (88.7%)● Sugar● Emulsifier (INS 471)● Stabilizer (INS 407)● Acidity Regulator (INS 339 (iii))● Iodized Salt and Vanilla Extract (0.001%).