Kofola Originál soft drink

Kofola is an iconic carbonated soft drink that serves as the principal rival to global cola brands in Central Europe. It originated in 1959 in the Czechoslovak Research Institute of Medicinal Plants in Prague. The drink was developed as a state-directed alternative to Western colas, specifically to utilize surplus caffeine from coffee roasting. Its unique flavor profile comes from the 'Kofo' syrup, a blend of 14 herbal and fruit ingredients including liquorice and cinnamon.

Following the Velvet Revolution and the transition to a market economy, the brand faced a period of decline until it was revitalized by the Samaras family in the early 2000s. Today, it is produced by Kofola ČeskoSlovensko a.s., which operates multiple production facilities, most notably in Krnov and Mnichovo Hradiště (Czech Republic) and Rajecká Lesná (Slovakia). The company has expanded significantly through acquisitions across the Adriatic region and remains a symbol of national heritage in its home markets.

Under the leadership of Jannis Samaras, the company transitioned to a publicly traded entity on the Prague Stock Exchange in 2015, though it remains under the strategic control of the founding family through their holding company, Aetos a.s.