The History of Spezi: Germany’s Beloved Soda Blend

When you step into a German restaurant, café, or supermarket, you’re likely to find a very distinct beverage called Spezi. This unique, orange-colored soda is the most popular soft drink in Germany.

It remains a cultural touchstone, a popular option at social events, and an icon of the beverage world. But what is this drink? And how did it come to be such a major part of German culture and heritage over the decades?

Paulaner is here to explain the history of Spezi and why it’s Germany’s most beloved soda blend. You’ll see for yourself where it came from, how it expanded, what it is, and why the techniques, care, and love that go into it shaped the entire country’s beverage industry.

What Is Spezi?

Spezi is a careful blend of cola and orange soda. Most versions of Spezi aim to keep the ratio of the two flavors even, but certain brands may want more citrus flavors, while others want it with a bit more of that caramel cola kick. The two flavors work incredibly well together and offer the comfort of a classic cola with those refreshing, incredibly satisfying citrus notes, especially on a hot summer day.

By blending cola and orange soda, Spezi has a very distinctive orange hue that helps it stand apart from the usual sodas you see on the store shelves. Spezi doesn’t rely on any artificial colors or flavors, making it an authentic experience that usually appeals to audiences looking for a quality beverage rather than a flashy-looking package.

Many German companies have their own versions of this classic soda blend, usually with their own distinct flavor profiles and ratios. Regardless of the differences, the iconic combination of cola and citrus remains the primary focus for all manufacturers.

The Birth of a German Classic

The earliest origins of Spezi date back to the 1950s. It was a post-war period with plenty of economic growth for the company. The earliest versions of this drink seemed to originate in pubs where customers would order cola and orange soda and mix them together.

Unfortunately, many bartenders noticed that customers wouldn’t finish the two beverages, resulting in a lot of half-empty cola and orange soda bottles. Eventually, certain pubs and breweries had the idea of creating a pre-mixed version of the drink and ready to serve to thirsty customers.

The drink became so popular in pub culture and felt like such a unique take on the soda market that many breweries decided to try crafting versions of the drink to sell. The Riegele brewery seemed to be the first to market the drink and come up with the Spezi name.

Paulaner Brewery’s Revolutionary Contribution

After Riegele started making Spezi, other breweries and soda manufacturers tried making their own, including Paulaner, who already had a renowned status for their exceptional beer production. Despite not being the first, Paulaner’s take on the beverage was widely considered the best and helped popularize Spezi as a commercial product throughout Germany. By taking their decades of beverage-making experience to the soft drink market, they were able to make something fantastic.

Paulaner was able to stand out by just focusing on what made their beer so good and putting it into their sodas. They committed themselves to authentic ingredients, traditional production methods, and an aversion to shortcuts. German customers appreciated their craftsmanship and their contributions to Spezi quickly gained Paulaner popularity throughout the country.

The Perfect Flavor Balance

Spezi is all about balancing the flavors and maintaining the perfect levels of cola flavors, citrusy kicks, and carbonation levels. If you have too much cola, the drink tastes bitter, and excessive citrus removes all complexity from the cola. Every Spezi manufacturer aims to create a balance that they think is ideal, and while these levels may vary, there’s a Spezi option for those with differing tastes.

An important element of Spezi is creating the right level of carbonation so that the drink satisfies and tingles the senses without being too overpowering. A nice moderate level of carbonation provides texture while allowing the two main flavor profiles to stand out.

Spezi in German Social Culture

If you attend any sort of social gathering in Germany, you’re likely to find Spezi. It’s a great option for those looking to meet up for lunch, throw a party, or celebrate a special occasion. Everything from a casual weekday dinner to a groovy weekend party benefits from Spezi. The name comes from a German slang term for “Buddy,” so the drink carries a strong connection to friendship and creating those shared experiences with those you care about.

Many holiday celebrations and regional festivals have Spezi as a non-alcoholic option for younger attendees to enjoy, or just those who don’t want to drink. The rich and engaging history of the beverage in German culture makes it an especially popular option for regional events, festivals, and traditions.

Competition With International Brands

Germany’s most beloved soda blend remains popular because of its authentic flavors and dedication to quality from local breweries and manufacturers. Many foreign attempts to capture the Spezi flavor take shortcuts and use artificial sweeteners, colors, and other ingredients that make the drink easier to mass produce but remove so many of the elements that make it special.

The iconic blend of flavors that comes from Germany just hit on a different level than what you’d get if you simply mixed cola and orange sodas from other countries. The uniqueness and hard work that goes into each batch is why Spezi still has a competitive advantage in a crowded soft drink marketplace.

Modern Production and Distribution

Fortunately, Paulaner Spezi aims to expand production and distribution options and provide more options for other countries out there. While the drink was once mostly available in local pubs or markets, it’s now more widely available through supermarkets, convenient stores, restaurants, and specialty beverage retailers.

Thanks to recent efforts, Paulaner now offers the drink to North American audiences. Those wanting to taste this iconic beverage blend for themselves can do so more easily than ever. Paulaner sells the drink as Sunset in the States. Despite the change in name, the branding, history, traditions, and iconic flavors are the same as ever, and ready for anyone to enjoy.

You can experience it for yourself, so kick back and try a can of the classic Spezi soda with Paulaner Sunset. We have the classic recipe, or a zero-sugar option for those looking to cut sweeteners out of their diet. This beverage is perfect for relaxing with your buddies or sharing a drink with someone special. Wind down the day with a little beauty as you experience the Sunset for yourself. Check out our selections and taste the essence of German craft-brewing in every sip!