Here’s a useful bit of trivia: what are the only two countries in the world that have a local soft drink that outsells Coca-Cola? The answer: Scotland and Peru. The soft drinks in question, Scotland’s Irn Bru and Peru’s Inca Kola, share a remarkably similar profile, offering caffeine-rich fluorescent fizz that has spawned a national obsession.
Irn Bru has been made in Scotland since 1901 by the Barr family company. It started life back then as Iron Brew, which was an unquestionably more logical spelling, but in 1946 the government deemed the name to be false representation, due to the fact that the product isn’t actually brewed. Amazingly enough, however, it does contain iron: listed at the very end of the ingredient list is 0.002% ammonium ferric (III) citrate. Don’t know how much good that will do you, but apparently quite a lot, judging from the alarming number of toddlers to be seen on the streets here with bright orange bottles dangling from their mouths.
In fact, walk the streets of Edinburgh and you will see people of all ages and backgrounds quaffing the stuff. It’s touted as the world’s best hangover cure, which is a matter of serious debate among Scots. This claim does have some foundation in fact – all caffeinated drinks will soothe headaches to an extent, and sugary drinks replace lost fluids and sugars sustained after a particularly heavy night out (the only kind you can have here).
Irn Bru has been known for creating controversy with its advertisements, and in the words of one local "has the best adverts apart from beer".
Apparently its fame is spreading, as well – Russians, Japanese, and yes, even Americans are falling for it.
And what does it taste like, you ask? Irn Bru describes its taste as hints of citrus and vanilla. I don’t agree. Like all good phosphorescent soft drinks, its flavor profile builds with a full bouquet of cotton candy and finishes with a crescendo of pure bubblegum.
The Traveler's Lunchbox 
I used to love Iron Bru. it’s such a beautiful colour. isn’t is brewed from rusty girders? And what about dandelion and burdoch. And what was that drink that used to be in white red and blue verticle striped can. Pimto or something? Maybe not?
I was in Sri Lanka last year, and the local Elephant brand soft drinks outsell Coke and Pepsi there as well. Wonderful ginger beer, cream soda, orange crush, lime crush etc.
Oh, good to know! It’s nice to find out that there are still some exceptions to the rule in this homogenized, mass-marketed world we live in, even if it’s as inconsequential as our preferred brand of bubbly…
When I went to scotland and I first drank Irn-Bru, i was so disturbed because i thought it would taste like orangeade or something orange-flavoured like in Canada. But, no, not at all! But i drank too much of the stuff… now back in Canada i miss it. Ironically, i don’t drink soft drinks. I just want some Irn-Bru!
Irn-Bru is the best – Scotland has two national drinks Whisky and Irn Bru. some mad folk even mix the two! Far superior to Coca Cola. The only soft drink I know that makes your cheeks burn if you drink it too fast (PS I’m Scottish).
It’s true that Irn Bru sells in Russia, the name is written in cyrillic and looks even more weird than in English. I used to like it as a kid. š
You can get Irn-Bru here:http://thescottishgrocer.com/irnbru.htmlThis is also a good site for Scottish foods:http://thescottishgrocer.com/Their haggis is excellent!I saw another ad similar to the one above in Scotland. It featured the same couple with her looking at him, arm around him, saying, "Two things I like, Dick, and Irn-Bru"