Cherikee Red Soda: History, Taste, and Controversy
If you remember Cherikee Red soda, you probably remember that bold cherry flavor too. I do. It was sweet, red, and felt like summer in a can. Then one day, the drink just disappeared.
Yes, Cherikee Red soda was discontinued. And if you ever loved it like I did, you’ll want to stick around because I’m sharing:
- Why it vanished
- If it’s still out there
- What can you drink instead if you’re missing that taste
- A way to make a version at home.
Key Takeaways
- Cherikee Red launched in 1969 and became a cherry soda favorite.
- It was sweet, bold, and a little like cherry candy in a can.
- It was sold mostly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and nearby areas.
- It disappeared as soda companies merged and shelves got crowded.
- Its name and branding also faced growing cultural backlash.
- Cheerwine and Faygo Redpop are great alternatives.
- You can even make a Cherikee-style mocktail at home.
What Was Cherikee Red Soda?
Cherikee Red was a cherry-flavored soda with a deep red color and a sweet taste. It had a strong following in certain areas, mostly because it was different from the usual sodas. It wasn’t something you found everywhere, but the people who knew about it really liked it.
Cherikee Red soda came out in 1969. It was made by the Cotton Club Bottling Company in Cleveland, Ohio. They were known for producing a few local soft drinks, but Cherikee Red stood out the most. It had a bright look and a bold flavor, and that’s what made it stick in people’s memories.
It wasn’t trying to compete with the big brands. It just did its own thing.
What made it special wasn’t just the taste. It was the connection people had with it. I’ve seen folks online talk about how it reminds them of their childhood. For me, it brings back memories of sitting on my front steps with a cold can in hand.
Taste of Cherikee Red Soda
Cherikee Red had a strong cherry flavor that was sweeter than most sodas I’ve had. It wasn’t fizzy like cola. It had more of a smooth, candy-like taste. I always felt like I was drinking liquid cherry candy. Compared to drinks like Cheerwine, it leaned heavier on the sweetness. But it still tasted clean.
The flavor stayed with you after you drank it. That’s what I liked most.
Who Made Cherikee Red Soda
Cherikee Red was first made by Cotton Club Bottling Company in Cleveland, Ohio. They launched it in 1969. I looked this up when I wanted to know more about the drink I grew up with. Cotton Club was a local soda company, and Cherikee Red became one of its most talked-about drinks.
Later, the soda changed hands. A.J. Canfield Company picked it up, and then Crystal Soda Water Company handled it for a while. Each one kept the drink going, but the name never got huge across the country.
Even so, they stayed true to the taste. It kept popping up in certain areas, and people kept buying it.
The Rise of Cherikee Red: A Regional Favorite
Cherikee Red never became a national drink, but it was everywhere in parts of the Midwest and East Coast. You could find it in stores around Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. I remember seeing it in small shops and gas stations whenever we visited family in Pennsylvania.
It became especially popular in Northeastern Pennsylvania. People there still talk about it. Some say they grew up drinking it at family parties or grabbing it after school. One friend from Scranton told me it was in every corner store when she was a kid. In that area, it wasn’t just another soda. It was something people remembered.
Why Was Cherikee Red Discontinued? Controversy Around It
Cherikee Red wasn’t discontinued overnight. It faded out over time, and a mix of reasons played into it. From shrinking local distribution to concerns around the name and branding, things slowly added up.
People who used to drink it regularly just started seeing it less and less. Some of it was business. Some of it was public pressure. Let’s break it down.
Decline in Regional Soda Distribution
One big reason for the decline of Cherikee Red was the way soda distribution changed. Back in the day, smaller brands could survive by selling well in local markets. You didn’t need to be everywhere—you just needed to do well in a few states. That worked for a while. But over the years, things started to shift.
Big-name sodas like Coke and Pepsi took over more and more shelf space. It got harder for regional brands to compete. I remember noticing that my favorite local sodas started disappearing from store coolers, even though people still wanted them. Cherikee Red was one of them.
Also, stores started cutting down on how many different brands they carried. They wanted drinks that moved fast and came from big suppliers. Small sodas got squeezed out.
I called a few corner stores back then, just to check. Most had the same answer: “We don’t carry it anymore.”
Mergers and Bottling Consolidation
Another piece of the puzzle was the way soda companies kept merging. Over the years, Cherikee Red passed through different hands—Cotton Club, Canfield, Crystal Soda, and then larger groups like American Bottling and Dr Pepper Snapple. Each time, things changed behind the scenes.
When big companies take over, they usually focus on the products that bring in the most money. If a soda isn’t a top seller nationwide, it gets pushed aside.
Cherikee Red just didn’t have the scale to stay a priority. And when you’re low on that list, you’re often the first to go.
Cultural Criticism and Branding Controversy
The name “Cherikee Red” started drawing attention for the wrong reasons. As people became more aware of cultural sensitivity, the name and branding raised concerns. For a long time, brands used Native American names or images without thinking much about it. That changed in the last couple of decades.
More people began to speak up, asking companies to stop using Indigenous culture for marketing. And drinks like Cherikee Red found themselves under that spotlight.
The branding didn’t help either. The use of feathers, certain fonts, and imagery tied to Native culture was seen by some as inappropriate. Even if it wasn’t meant to offend, that’s how it came across to many people.
Discussion of Racism
The imagery used on the can was also part of the controversy. I remember the original design had visual elements that were clearly meant to represent Native American themes. Back then, most people didn’t question it.
Today, it’s different.
More folks now see the use of Native American images in branding as something that crosses a line. What used to be seen as “cool” or “authentic” is now often called out as stereotyping.
Criticism from Indigenous Groups
Some Native American groups spoke out about the use of their culture in products like this. There were real statements, protests, and campaigns calling for change. I came across a few older articles and social media threads where people explained why names like “Cherikee Red” felt wrong.
If you like reading about why some products fail, then I’ve got a great article for you. Read why did Crystal Pepsi fail in detail. You’ll find some of the reasons to be super surprising.
Is Cherikee Red Soda Still Available Today?
Cherikee Red is very hard to find now. As of the 2020s, it’s not being widely produced or distributed. I’ve checked online and even called around to a few places that used to sell it. The answer is usually the same. “We don’t have it anymore.”
But that hasn’t stopped fans from searching for it. On Reddit and in nostalgia groups, I’ve seen tons of posts where people ask if anyone knows where to find it. Some share old photos of cans or bottles. Others talk about how much they miss the taste. These online threads are full of memories.
Cherikee Red vs. Cheerwine: A Cherry Soda Showdown
Cherikee Red and Cheerwine are both cherry sodas, but they’re not the same. I’ve had both, and they each offer something different. If you loved Cherikee Red, you might like Cheerwine—but there are clear differences. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Cherikee Red | Cheerwine |
| Flavor | Sweeter, bold cherry candy flavor | Lighter, more balanced cherry taste |
| Availability | Rare or discontinued | Widely available in stores and online |
| Branding | Old-school with Native imagery | Classic Southern style branding |
| Legacy | Cult following, nostalgic favorite | Strong regional favorite, still going |
If you’re missing Cherikee Red, Cheerwine is the closest alternative I’ve found. It’s not quite as sweet, but it has that real cherry soda vibe. I’ve also seen others suggest Faygo Redpop or Wild Cherry Pepsi if you want something even sweeter.
Personally, I reach for Cheerwine when I want something close to that old-school cherry flavor. You can find it online or in Southern grocery stores.
How to Make a Cherikee Red-Inspired Mocktail
If you can’t find Cherikee Red, you can try making something close to it at home. I’ve done this a few times, and it comes surprisingly close to the original flavor.
Steps:
- Start with a cherry soda base like Cheerwine or Faygo Redpop.
- Add a splash of maraschino cherry juice (from the jar).
- Mix in a bit of grenadine syrup to boost the deep red color and sweetness.
- Pour over ice in a chilled glass.
- Top with a cherry or two and enjoy.
This mix is bold, sweet, and brings back that classic cherry kick.
Conclusion: Should Cherikee Red Make a Comeback?
Cherikee Red had a one-of-a-kind flavor. It was bold, sweet, and full of memories for a lot of people. But it also had problems tied to its name and branding. That’s something companies can’t ignore anymore. Still, I think there’s room for a respectful reboot. If done right, it could bring joy back to fans while avoiding past mistakes.
Got a memory of Cherikee Red? I’d love to hear it.
FAQs
Is Cherikee Red soda still available?
As of now, Cherikee Red soda is not widely available. It’s no longer in regular production by any major soda company. Most stores do not carry it, and you won’t find it in big supermarkets. However, a few cans may still exist through collectors, vintage resellers, or specialty soda shops.
You might come across listings on eBay or small online shops, but they’re rare and usually limited in quantity. Some people have also reported finding it in old-stock shelves at local stores in Pennsylvania or Ohio, but those finds are extremely rare.
Cherikee Red soda where to buy
Your best bet to find Cherikee Red is through online resellers. Check websites like eBay, Etsy, or soda collector forums. You can also try your luck at local specialty soda shops that sell regional or discontinued soft drinks.
Some small stores in Northeastern Pennsylvania or Ohio might still have leftover stock, but these are hard to find and not guaranteed. Make sure to ask the seller if the soda is still sealed and drinkable. If you’re not planning to drink it, you can also look for empty cans as collectibles.
Why did they discontinue Cherikee Red?
Cherikee Red faded out over time due to a few key reasons. First, distribution slowed down. As bigger soda companies took over shelf space, smaller brands like Cherikee Red had less room to survive. Then came ownership changes and bottling mergers. The drink passed through different companies, and none of them gave it a major push.
On top of that, there was growing criticism around its branding. The name and imagery were tied to Native American culture, and many saw that as disrespectful. Over time, these factors made it easier for companies to quietly let it go.
Cherikee Red soda replacement
If you’re craving that same cherry soda vibe, there are a few replacements you can try. The closest in taste is Cheerwine. It’s less sweet, but still has a deep cherry flavor. Another option is Faygo Redpop, which is much sweeter and more candy-like.
You can also mix your own using maraschino cherry juice and grenadine in a cherry soda base.
