Novida Soda is a fruit-flavored, non-alcoholic malt beverage made by Coca-Cola. Introduced in 2008, it’s aimed at markets in East and Southern Africa where standard fizzy drinks aren’t always the preferred option. It’s cheap, simple, and available pretty much everywhere.
The drink was initially launched in Kenya and Uganda but has since spread to other countries like South Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Pineapple is by far the most common flavor, but Apple and Tropical varieties are also sold in some markets. It’s sweet, fruity, and not much more complicated than that.
Click to read about South Sudanese Cuisine.
Availability in South Sudan
In South Sudan, you can find Novida Soda in shops, market stalls, and even makeshift stands in rural areas. The most common place to pick up a bottle is Juba, where it’s sold in supermarkets, restaurants, and local stores. It’s usually warm due to lack of refrigeration, but that’s just the norm here.
I came across Novida while camping with the Mundari in South Sudan, drinking it with cheap Prime Kisses Vodka. But it’s not some exclusive novelty—it’s just a common drink you see all over the place. The pairing was actually fairly decent meaning that Novida indeed passed The Street Food Guy booze challenge, although it was no Steem.
Click to read about the best drinks in Sudan.
What It Tastes Like
Novida is aggressively sweet. Pineapple is the main flavor you’ll find in South Sudan, and it’s strong and sugary. The malt base is mostly hidden beneath the artificial fruitiness, but that’s the point. It’s designed to be a cheap, refreshing drink for hot climates, not some artisanal soda experience.
And as mentioned previously it does a fine job of masking cheap African vodka or moonshine.
Why It’s Popular
It’s simple—Novida is available and cheap. It’s popular because it’s easy to find and appeals to people who want something sweet and refreshing. In places where refrigeration is unreliable, Novida’s sugary hit is often enough to make it worth drinking warm.
The drink is also popular because it fills a gap in the market. In countries like South Sudan, options are limited, and Novida is basically a cheap sugary drink that ticks all of the important boxes.
Final Thoughts
Not the best ever drink that I have tried in my eternal #SodaQuest, but also far from the worst that I have had. Probably comes below Steem with regards to the best local sodas, and you have to keep in mind that is owned by Coca Cola AKA EvilCorp