Ironbeer Is The Delectable Soda Considered The Official Beverage Of Cuba

If you find yourself dining at a Cuban restaurant, you may see Ironbeer on the menu as a beverage option. Despite the name, this drink doesn't actually contain alcohol. In fact, it's a soft drink that some have called comparable in flavor to Dr. Pepper or root beer, with a little added fruitiness.

One reviewer noted that the beverage smells fruity upon first opening the can, and that the flavor is strong. Though the base of the beverage may resemble Dr. Pepper, the added fruit flavors taste like oranges or plums. An article from Houston Press claims the drink tastes like a cross between Coca-Cola and Sunkist sodas. Even with the blend of flavors, the drink isn't overly sweet, as a little sourness balances out the other ingredients.

The drink was invented in Cuba, but production eventually moved to the United States. Nevertheless, Ironbeer remains a favorite amongst Cuban citizens and is often called the national beverage of Cuba.

Thanks to Ironbeer's sweet, fruity flavor, it reportedly pairs well with more salty, garlic-flavored foods. If you want an authentic Cuban experience, enjoy the drink alongside a more traditional Cuban dish, like arroz con moros y cristianos, or ropa vieja — which is actually Cuba's national dish, making it a perfect partner for the national drink.

The drink's popularity has even inspired others to pay homage in various forms. Artist Ric Garcia features the can's image in several works of art. And in 2019, Ironbeer teamed up with Miami-based Beat Culture Brewery to produce an ale- inspired by the soda, named Irón Bier.

How did Ironbeer rise to popularity? Inventor Manuel Rabanal first sold the drink in 1917, and it made its debut in a Havana cafeteria, pulled in a mule-drawn wooden wagon. It was a beloved drink in the country, at least until Fidel Castro assumed control of the Cuban government in 1960. Then, production moved to Miami, Florida.

Pedro Blanco took over the company around the same time it moved to Miami, with high hopes of expanding production and increasing sales. Nearly 30 years after the acquisition, Blanco began his project of creating an entire soda manufacturing company. He aspired to offer a number of different sodas for sale. And so, Sunshine Bottling Company was born. Blanco remained the company's owner until he died in 2011, and he left the company in the hands of his son, Carlos.

Sunshine Bottling Company has produced juices for Tropicana, and now offers a variety of private-label manufacturing options for several other companies. And, of course, it also produces its own products: Ironbeer, Lanio Sodas, and Sunchy Nectars. But if you want to taste the drink that started it all, grab a can of the classic Ironbeer, and pair it with your favorite Cuban dish for an immersive dining experience.