Before cold brews and energy drinks, there was the fizz. And not just any fizz—the powerful pop of Thums Up and the playful bubbles of a chilled Fanta cold drink. While Thums Up brought a bold, intense cola experience, the Fanta cold drink charmed families with its fruity freshness.
However, their rise to a literal cultural icon status did not happen overnight. Get ready for a fizzy flashback to simpler times.
The Origins: How it All Came Together
The story of Thums Up drink and Fanta in India is a tale of timing, taste, and cultural fit. When Coca-Cola exited the Indian market in 1977 due to regulatory challenges, then, the topic of our discussion entered.
Thums Up
India’s love affair with Thums Up drink began in 1977 when Coca-Cola exited the country due to regulatory challenges. Seizing the moment, Ramesh Chauhan of Parle Group launched.
Thums Up drink—a bold, fizzy cola with a punchy taste that quickly won over Indian youth. Its strong flavour and macho branding made it an instant classic.
Fanta
Fanta, though originally created in Germany during World War II, found its footing in India much later. When Coca-Cola re-entered the Indian market in the 1990s, the Fanta cold drink was introduced as a cheerful, citrusy alternative.
With its bright orange colour and family-friendly appeal, it quickly became a go-to beverage for festive moments and carefree childhood memories.
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Cultural & Advertising Legacy
The lasting popularity of Thums Up drink and Fanta cold drink is not just credited to their flavours. It is also the result of powerful and emotionally resonant marketing. Over the years, both brands built deep cultural connections through clever campaigns.
Thums Up Drink
Over the decades, both Thums Up drink and Fanta cold drink have gone beyond being just cold drinks—they’ve become cultural symbols, thanks to memorable marketing.
When Thums Up launched its “Taste the Thunder” campaign, it was not just selling a drink—it was inviting people to live boldly.
Fanta Cold Drink
Fanta took a rather different route. With its fruity flavour and fizz, the Fanta cold drink was marketed to teens and families. Its commercials burst with colour, cheerfulness, and catchy jingles—often fronted by bubbly Bollywood actresses.
The message was clear: Fanta cold drink was about fun, laughter, and youthful energy.
Taste & Identity: Why the Flavour Mattered?
More than branding or ads, it was actually the flavour that cemented India’s love for Thums Up and Fanta cold drink.
Thums Up
Thums Up drink delivered a bold cola taste with a peppery bite. Unlike global colas, it leaned away from excessive sweetness. This fiery edge appealed to the Indian palate. That’s what often leans toward strong, spicy flavours, making it feel familiar and exciting at once.
Fanta
In contrast, the Fanta cold drink gives out a burst of orange sweetness and fizz. It was instantly loved by kids and is considered perfect for light-hearted moments. From birthday parties and school functions to train journeys and family picnics, the Fanta cold drink became a staple of happy occasions for everyone.
Conclusion
New drinks may hit the shelves every day, but there’s something unbeatable about the OGs. Thums Up drink still packs a punch, and the Fanta cold drink continues to bring fruity joy to parties, holidays, and heatwaves alike.
They are fizzy, they are fun, and they have stood the test of time. In every pop and pour, these classics prove that flavour and emotion never go out of style.
