Kofola explained: the Czech cola you can order on tap

Ask for a cola in a Czech pub and you may be asked whether you want a Kofola. That is not a mistake. It is the national soft drink, and plenty of Czechs prefer it.

What is Kofola?

Kofola is a dark, fizzy soft drink created in Czechoslovakia. It is often described as the Czech answer to cola, and it is made by a company that grew out of the state-run industry. Its taste is darker and more herbal than the global colas, with a slightly bitter edge. It is a drink with a personality, which is why people argue about it.

Where did it come from?

Kofola was developed in the late 1950s in Czechoslovakia and went on sale in the early 1960s. It is usually described as a domestic alternative to the imported colas that were hard to find at the time. The recipe belongs to the producer, so check its official site for current information rather than trusting a story told at a bar.

After 1989 global brands arrived, and Kofola survived because customers liked it. Today it is available across Czechia and Slovakia and has become a small symbol of local pride, the kind of drink people miss when they live abroad.

What does it taste like?

Think of a less sweet cola with a herbal, slightly smoky note. Some people compare it to a spiced soft drink. It is a matter of taste, and first-time visitors often like it more than they expect, while others find it strange. The honest answer is to try it once, without ice, and decide.

Why is it on tap?

Pubs serve Kofola from a tap (točená Kofola) in a glass, like beer. It is popular with children, drivers and people not drinking alcohol, and with those who simply want something sweet with a meal. In a pub it sits on the menu next to the beer, and ordering it carries no stigma. Ask for točená Kofola in a pub that has it.

Is it caffeinated?

Like cola drinks in general, Kofola contains caffeine. Check the label for the amount (as of 2026; check the official source). If you are sensitive, or giving it to children, read the label first.

Is there more than one version?

Yes. The company sells the original in bottles and cans, plus variants with different flavours or less sugar. The range changes, so look at the shelf or the menu rather than relying on a list. In a pub the draught version is usually the plain original.

Can I take it home?

Easily. Supermarkets across Prague sell bottles, and the packaging is as common as any other soft drink. A bottle in the Czech design is a cheap souvenir. Carry it in your luggage upright, wrapped in a layer of clothing, because it is fizzy.

Kofola and food

Kofola is a lunch drink more than an evening one. Its bitter-herbal edge cuts through fried food, which is why it turns up beside schnitzel, fried cheese and sausages. It also pairs with the heavy plates in a pub, where a sweet, fizzy drink is a counterpoint to the salt and fat. If you are working your way through the Czech lunch menu, a Kofola is a perfectly normal companion.

Common mistakes

The first is asking for "a cola" and being surprised by what arrives. In a Czech pub you may get a Kofola, so say which you want. The second is judging it from a warm, flat bottle. Taste it cold and fresh, ideally from the tap. The third is taking the nostalgia too seriously. Many Czechs have a sentimental attachment to it, but nobody will mind if you say it is not for you.

What does it cost?

Prices vary by venue, and draught is often cheaper than a bottle. Check the drinks list before you order.

How do I order it?

Kofolu, prosím means a Kofola, please. Točenou, prosím means on tap, please. Malou is small and velkou is large. Pair it with a meal from the Czech lunch menu or a snack from Czech bar snacks.

What locals do

Locals order it as naturally as water, often with a lunch, and sometimes with a meat dish for the contrast. At a pub where the group is ordering beer, the non-drinker, the driver and the child all get a Kofola, and nobody comments. If you are the one who is not drinking, this is an easy way to join a round without explaining yourself.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kofola?

A dark, fizzy Czech soft drink, often described as the Czech answer to cola. Its taste is more herbal and less sweet than global colas.

When was Kofola created?

It was developed in Czechoslovakia in the late 1950s and went on sale in the early 1960s.

Can I order it on tap?

Yes, in many pubs and restaurants. Ask for točená Kofola.

Does it contain caffeine?

Like cola drinks in general, yes. Check the label for the amount.

Where can I buy it in Prague?

In supermarkets and shops, and on the drinks menu of most casual restaurants.

Do this today

Order a draught Kofola with lunch, taste it without ice, and decide whether you prefer it to your usual cola.