The Story Behind Brio's Beloved Italian Soda Flavors Over 60 Years

The History and Rise of Brio Soda

Brio soda has become a beloved Italian soda brand thanks to its refreshing and unique flavors. But what is the story behind this fizzy drink? Brio's origins date back to the 1950s in Italy.

The Beginning of Brio in Milan

The company was founded in Milan by the Pasqua family in 1956 under the name Pasqua E F.LLI. The Pasquas created a small artisanal line of sodas which they sold in their cafes and restaurants in Milan. Their sodas quickly gained popularity thanks to the tantalizing citrus flavors and lively carbonation.

The flagship soda they produced was Brio Chinotto, made with the bittersweet chinotto citrus fruit which grows in Liguria, Italy. This dark, cola-like soda with its distinct orange rind flavor became the brand's signature drink.

Expanding Production in the 1960s and 70s

As demand for Pasqua's sodas grew in the 1960s, the company expanded outside Milan and began shipping their bottles throughout Italy. By the early 1970s the Pasquas were producing various new flavors like orange, lemon, bitter lemon, and grapefruit.

During this time they officially adopted the brand name Brio for their effervescent soda line. It was a fitting name, as brio means "verve" or "liveliness" in Italian - perfect for describing their bubbly, vivacious drinks.

The Brio Lineup: Flavor Innovations

Over the next decades, Brio continued creating new soda flavors to meet changing consumer tastes while still using high quality ingredients. Some of their key innovations included:

Brio Blend Teas

In the 1980s, Brio introduced unique soda blends mixing citrus flavors with herbal teas like chamomile and cinnamon. These offered lighter, more botanical options beyond traditional citrus sodas.

Brio Zero Sugar

In the 2000s, Brio debuted new zero sugar varieties of their time-tested flavors to appeal to health-conscious soda drinkers. These diet Chinotto, Aranciata Zero, Limonata Zero sodas allowed people to enjoy their refreshingly fizzy flavor without the sugar.

Brio Mixers

Most recently, Brio launched mixers designed for cocktails and adult drinks. Their sodas like ginger ale, bitter lemon and blood orange now double as carbonated mixers you can blend with liquor or alcohol.

Why Brio Soda Has Stayed On Top

Throughout all these flavor innovations over the decades, Brio has maintained its popularity in Italy and expanded across Europe and the globe. So what makes this soda brand continually shine where others fade away?

Commitment to Quality Ingredients

Brio only uses high-quality natural ingredients sourced from Italy and other parts of Southern Europe. For their citrus sodas, they select fresh citrus fruits grown in the Mediterranean sun. And they avoid artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors commonly found in cheaper sodas.

Pairing with Food

As part of Italian culture, Brio sodas are frequently enjoyed during mealtimes, paired with food. The herbal, bitter, or fruity notes beautifully complement the flavors of Italian cuisine. This harmonious family-dinner integration keeps the sodas relevant.

Special Releases

In addition to mainstay flavors, Brio does special seasonal releases or limited-edition flavors which create anticipation. Recent specials included Mandarin Tangerine during Lunar New Year and Brio Intenso with extra chinotto. These rotating flavors maintain interest in the brand.

Where to Buy Brio Soda

Thanks to growing international food culture, Brio sodas are now easier to find outside their native Italy. In the US, specialty food stores like Whole Foods Market, Italian markets, and gourmet shops often stock the sodas. Online retailers like Amazon also carry various Brio flavors to ship nationwide.

Additionally, two major US soda brands distribute Brio regionally. The Coca-Cola Company sells Brio in California and parts of the West. And Canada Dry sells select sodas like Orange Brio along much of the East Coast. So keep an eye out for both local and larger suppliers carrying these Italian-crafted sodas.

With a 60+ year legacy of distinct flavors and sparky refreshment, Brio sodas offer the perfect pick-me-up. Their fizzy zip balanced by citrus zing delivers la dolce vita in a bottle. So next time you want an uplifting drink made better, reach for Brio soda and bring some Italian brio to your day!

FAQs

What is Chinotto and how is it used in Brio sodas?

Chinotto is a bittersweet citrus fruit that grows in Liguria, Italy. The rind of chinotto lends a unique cola-like flavor. Brio uses chinotto extract as the signature ingredient in its darkest sodas like Chinotto and Intenso, giving them their distinct bitter orange taste.

Does Brio soda contain caffeine?

No, Brio sodas do not contain any caffeine. They are non-alcoholic carbonated beverages made using fruit juice, fruit extracts, herbs, and tea infusions. The bubbles and flavors provide refreshment without being stimulants.

Are Brio sodas gluten-free?

Yes, Brio confirms that all their sodas are gluten-free, so they can be enjoyed by those following a gluten-free diet or who have celiac disease. Brio sodas do not contain grains with gluten like wheat, barley, rye or malt.

What is the difference between Brio Aranciata and Brio Aranciata Amara sodas?

Brio Aranciata is made with orange juice so it has a sweet, fruity orange soda taste. Brio Aranciata Amara is made instead with bitter Seville orange extract, giving it a more tart, bitter flavor profile.