Few things are as iconic and remind us more of Haiti than Cola Couronne. The soft drink brand has been in existence for decades and has become an integral part of Haitian culture and cuisine. If you ask Haitians living in South Florida what their favorite soft drink is, chances are they’ll be avid fans …
Cola Couronne, officially the Brasserie de la Couronne, was established in 1924 in downtown Port-au-Prince. No one could foresee that the company would become one of the largest employers in Haiti and provide tens of thousands of jobs in manufacturing and distribution for Haitians living in the area. In the 1950s, Richard J. Forgham acquired …
The first bottle of Cola Couronne was produced in 1924. It instantly became the most popular soda—the only one—in Haiti. Nowadays, visiting Haiti without enjoying a bottle of Cola Couronne is like visiting Italy and not having a slice of Neapolitan pizza. It’s a traditional drink to be enjoyed at your leisure, preferably when it gets hot outside. Since Haiti is a tropical paradise, it’s summertime year-round.