Kola Román, the Oldest Soda in the World, Was Born in Latin America and Still Exists Today

Latin American countries have set the example for many things in the world, from cultural traditions to innovations that quietly shape global history. In Cartagena, Colombia, a soda created by a Hispanic immigrant and his family became a symbol of pride, competition, and resilience. Long before Coca-Cola entered the region, the Caribbean coast was already drinking Kola Román, a beverage that continues to represent identity and ingenuity.

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The Origins of Kola Román

According to La Republica, the story begins in the nineteenth century when Manuel Román y Picón, a Spanish immigrant who survived a shipwreck, decided to settle in Cartagena and open a pharmacy known as Botica Román. Together with his children, he experimented with formulas that initially did not win public favor. Years later, his son Henrique Pío Román worked alongside chemist Luis Carrillo to perfect a flavor that would resonate with local tastes, leading to the creation of Kola Román. By the 1930s, the drink had evolved into a successful business that quickly established itself in the cultural and social life of Cartagena.

Its sweet vanilla taste and bright red color distinguished it from other sodas, and it soon became part of family gatherings across the region. In Cartagena, it was said that someone was “more from Cartagena than Kola Román,” a phrase that reflected just how deeply it had entered local identity.

Competition With Global Giants

In 1927, Coca-Cola entered Colombia, bringing international competition to the local market. Yet Kola Román maintained its place as the drink of choice along the Caribbean coast for decades. Locals would often repeat that for every seven Kola Román purchased, only one Coca-Cola was sold. The phrase captured the loyalty of consumers who saw the soda as their own creation rather than an imported product.

The success of Kola Román eventually drew the attention of Coca-Cola itself. In 1982, the multinational acquired the license to produce the beverage under the condition that its name remain unchanged for fifteen years. Coca-Cola then attempted to expand its reach into markets where the soda was less familiar, such as Bogotá. However, in Cartagena, the drink retained its status as a cultural icon and remained closely tied to the identity of the city.

An Enduring Symbol of Cartagena

Kola Román has survived shifts in the global beverage industry, changes in ownership, and decades of market competition. Today, it continues to be sold in shops and served at family tables in Cartagena. For the city, it remains a symbol of pride, reminding residents that their traditions and tastes can endure even under pressure from international corporations.

The story of Kola Román shows how Latin American countries have often set the example, creating innovations that are embraced locally and admired globally. While Coca-Cola is known around the world, Kola Román stands as proof that identity and culture can shape consumer loyalty in ways that defy expectations.

The Oldest Soda Still Produced

Kola Román holds the title of being the oldest soda still in production, predating Coca-Cola and surviving through its distinctive flavor and deep cultural ties. Its origins are rooted in the vision of a Hispanic family who combined pharmacy, entrepreneurship, and community spirit to create a drink that is still present nearly a century and a half later. For Cartagena, it is more than a beverage, as it reflects memory, identity, and pride. For Latin America, it is another example of how the region has led with ideas and traditions that influence the world.