Favorite Soft Drinks by Country 2026

In 2026, the global soft drink market continues to thrive, with billions of units sold across every continent. The most selling soft drinks by country offer a fascinating glimpse into regional tastes, brand loyalty, and cultural preferences. From Coca-Cola’s global dominance to local favorites like Inca Kola in Peru or Guaraná Antarctica in Brazil, this article explores which beverages are capturing the hearts (and taste buds) of consumers in each country.

To ensure the accuracy of this ranking, we relied on country-level consumption data, retail audits, and market share reports provided by major distributors, government publications, and beverage companies. The top-selling drink per country refers to unit sales (bottles/cans sold) rather than revenue, which eliminates price differences as a factor. For countries where data was limited or multiple local brands were close in performance, secondary sources were used for estimation. In cases where multiple drinks were tied or ranked closely, global brand reports and regional preferences helped refine the order.

Top 10 Most Sold Soft Drinks Globally in 2026

1. Coca-Cola: 42 billion units
2. Pepsi: 15 billion units
3. Fanta: 9.2 billion units
4. Sprite: 6.1 billion units
5. Guaraná Antarctica (Brazil): 4.8 billion units
6. Thums Up (India): 3.9 billion units
7. Inca Kola (Peru): 3.1 billion units
8. Nongfu Spring (China): 2.8 billion units
9. Red Bull (Austria): 2.5 billion units
10. Jarritos (Mexico): 2.2 billion units

These top 10 reflect not only the global outreach of brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Fanta, but also the strong local dominance of region-specific favorites. Coca-Cola continues to lead the global scene, being the top-selling soft drink in over 150 countries. Pepsi holds a solid second spot but lags behind Coca-Cola in most regions except a few like Pakistan and Iraq where it leads.

Guaraná Antarctica, a staple in Brazil, maintains its national stronghold with impressive sales. Similarly, Inca Kola continues to outsell Coca-Cola in Peru, one of the few countries where the local favorite beats the global giant. In India, Thums Up leads sales despite Coca-Cola’s ownership of the brand. Emerging regional leaders like Nongfu Spring in China highlight the growing preference for non-carbonated and health-conscious beverages.

Complete Country-Wise Soft Drink Preferences in 2026

The full dataset shows Coca-Cola as the undisputed favorite across continents including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It appears in the top 3 in nearly every country except where local beverages dominate.

Key Insights from the Full Data Table:

• Regional Champions:
  • Zamzam Cola leads in Iran and Afghanistan, reflecting both religious and regional branding success.
  • Pony Malta, Postobón, and Bilz y Pap appear prominently in Colombia and Chile, reflecting strong Latin American market diversity.
• Local Sparkling Waters and Herbals:
  • Borjomi in Georgia, San Pellegrino in Italy, and Perrier in France show preference for mineral and sparkling waters.
  • Wanglaoji Herbal Tea ranks high in China, indicating a trend toward functional drinks.
• Hybrid Preferences:
  • Countries like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine see beverages like Barbican and Vimto rise in rank, especially during Ramadan and festive months.
  • In Japan, functional hydration drinks such as Pocari Sweat and Kirin Mets Cola are widely consumed due to lifestyle and climate.

The Rise of Local Legends and Cultural Icons

In many regions, local favorites rival or even beat global giants:

• F&N Sarsi and Orange Crush still thrive in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia.
• Elite Cola in Bolivia and Cockta in Slovenia maintain loyal consumer bases.
• Est Cola in Thailand continues to expand domestically, even in the face of Coca-Cola’s international reach.

These examples prove that while international marketing plays a big role, national identity, flavor profiles, and brand heritage deeply influence beverage choice.

The future of soft drinks in 2026 is not only about carbonation and sugar content, but also about health trends, cultural resonance, and environmental packaging innovations.

In summary, the soft drink market in 2026 remains heavily influenced by Coca-Cola’s global dominance, but exciting diversity emerges through local brands that align with regional tastes. Whether it’s Inca Kola in Peru, Thums Up in India, or Guaraná Antarctica in Brazil, every country tells a story through its top-selling drink. As the industry moves toward sustainability and health-conscious offerings, expect to see shifts not only in branding but in what qualifies as a “soft drink” in the years ahead.

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Source:

Data compiled from Statista – Global Soft Drink Market Data, Euromonitor International – Beverage Market Insights, NielsenIQ – Retail and FMCG Analytics, Mordor Intelligence – Soft Drinks Industry Reports, IMARC Group – Soft Drinks Market Trends, Research and Markets