Nuka-Cola entered the beverage market in 2044, with the invention of the soft drink by John-Caleb Bradberton after two years of experimentation. Though strictly unhealthy (containing 120% of the recommended daily allowance of sugar), it took the United States market by storm and within a year it could be purchased nationwide. Its popularity rapidly increased and within several years it was the most popular beverage across the globe.[1][2]
The unique taste of Nuka-Cola is the result of a combination of seventeen fruit essences, balanced to enhance the classic cola flavor.[3][4] The balance is precarious and minute adjustments can affect it severely. Such was the case when the freshly launched Nuka-Cola was reformulated in response to the Great Passion Fruit Famine of 2044 and consumers noticed the change in flavor.[5]
Nuka-Cola contains excessive amounts of caffeine and 120% of the recommended daily value of sugar, making it decisively unhealthy for extended consumption.[6] To counter the negative image, it was marketed as being fortified with vitamins, minerals and "health tonics."[7] Intensive consumption can cause Nuka-Cola addiction, which can lead to splitting headaches if Nuka-Cola isn't consumed on a regular basis.[8]
The unique taste of Nuka-Cola is the result of a combination of seventeen fruit essences, balanced to enhance the classic cola flavor.[3][9] The balance is precarious and minute adjustments can affect it severely. Such was the case when the freshly launched Nuka-Cola was reformulated in response to the Great Passion Fruit Famine of 2044 and consumers noticed the change in flavor.[5]
Nuka-Cola contains excessive amounts of caffeine and 120% of the recommended daily value of sugar, making it decisively unhealthy for extended consumption.[6] To counter the negative image, it was marketed as being fortified with vitamins, minerals and "health tonics."[10] Intensive consumption can cause Nuka-Cola addiction, which can lead to splitting headaches if Nuka-Cola isn't consumed on a regular basis.[11]
Nuka-Cola was the most popular flavored soft drink in the United States before the Great War. After the War, Nuka-Cola is still one of the most popular soft drinks of the post-nuclear world, as large quantities of it were preserved in a fairly pristine state, although it tends to be warm, irradiated and flat. The classic Nuka-Cola taste is the result of combining seventeen different fruit essences with the classic cola tastes, enhancing, but not overwhelming it.[3][12] By 2077, Nuka-Cola bottles take on a newer look akin to a rocket ship and advertising also follows suit with the reuse of the space-themed mascot: Nuka-Girl.
In Fallout, Nuka-Cola tends to play a background role. Dugan, an addict, can talk about the drink, but otherwise it has no direct effect on the storyline.
The drink has several minor uses for quests and items in Fallout 2. One of the three ingredients of a super stimpak as crafted by the artiste of the test tube known as Myron. Also, the Chosen One can use any sort of status-modifying drug to trigger a fatal heart attack in Big Jesus Mordino.
Shops in Klamath and the respective machines. The bottles can be obtained from vending machines by left-clicking on a Nuka-Cola machine and dragging the mouse to access the backpack and putting coins in the slot.
Nuka-Cola machines, other than for reasons of gameplay, restock every one to seven weeks. In Fallout Tactics, there is a special encounter with a man pedaling a bicycle cart. This is Phil, the Nuka-Cola dude, who claims via bubble text to be personally responsible for restocking the vending machines of the wasteland. An unlimited quantity of Nuka-Cola can be purchased in the Broken Hills bar (this may be explained indirectly by the Homebrewed Nuka-Cola recipe in Fallout: New Vegas).
According to Dugan, the Nuka-Cola addict in the Boneyard Downtown, there is a diet version of Nuka-Cola. Also according to him, the Blades had run out of it sometime before 2161.
During the 2008 E3 as a promotional item, people were given a real drinkable version of Nuka-Cola. It greatly resembles the 1950s look of the Coca-Cola brand bottles.
During 2015/2016 a real version of Nuka Cola Quantum could be purchased online and in Target stores worldwide.
The name of the Nuka-Cola creator, John-Caleb Bradberton, is an amalgamation of the inventors of Coca-Cola (John Pemberton) and Pepsi-Cola (Caleb Bradham).
Its logos, bottle designs, market crash, and even its name are heavily based on Coca-Cola.
↑Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "Amateur chemist John-Caleb Bradberton discovered the formula for Nuka-Cola in 2044. Within a year, Nuka-Cola could be purchased across the entire United States."
↑Sierra Petrovita: "When Nuka-Cola was invented by John-Caleb Bradberton in 2044, it quickly became the world's most popular soft drink. The wonder drink soon drew a dedicated following which prompted the Nuka-Cola Corporation to release many promotional items like these. By 2067, a Nuka-Cola machine such as this rare pristine model could be found on almost every street in America. Even in today's crazy world, Nuka-Cola is still the number one choice of refreshment among Armageddon's survivors." (Sierra Petrovita's dialogue)
↑ 3.03.13.2Nuka-World loading screen hints: "Nuka-Cola's award-winning taste is derived from a secret combination of seventeen fruit essences which are balanced to enhance, but not overwhelm, that classic cola flavor."
↑ 5.05.1The Lone Wanderer: "The taste... I could never get used to it." Sierra Petrovita: "No no no! You're mistaken! The flavor is the essence of seventeen different fruits mixed in just the right proportion to give the beverage that delicious taste. In fact, in the Great Passion Fruit Famine of 2044, people actually noticed the taste difference when the flavor was changed!" (Sierra Petrovita's dialogue)
↑ 6.06.1World of Refreshment tour: "Welcome to the Nuka-Cola World of Refreshment, now featuring a river of Nuka-Cola Quantum! Nuka-Cola Quantum: Twice the calories, twice the carbohydrates, twice the caffeine, and twice the taste! And just look at that amazing, patented blue glow! So sit back and enjoy the ride as we take you through the Nuka-Cola World of Refreshment! Nuka-Cola began its journey in the year 2042 when our founder, John-Caleb Bradberton, was a budding chemist. He dreamt of a delicious soft drink that would provide energy, focus and 120% of the recommended daily value of sugar! It took almost two years to perfect the formula, but in late 2044, Mr. Bradberton was finally successful and Nuka-Cola was born! It quickly surpassed other, lesser beverages to become America's number-one favorite soft drink. Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Bradberton and his team of talented "Beverageers" continued to create new and exciting formulas. Out west, they enjoy regional favorites such as the classy Nuka-Cola Quartz and refreshingly patriotic Nuka-Cola Victory. Or, for those that prefer a timeless root-based beverage, they pick up a delicious Nuka-Cola Wild! While out here on the east coast, folks delight in the refreshment of an ice-cold Nuka-Grape, Nuka-Orange, or Nuka-Cherry. And be on the lookout for our special pre-release shipments of Nuka-Cola Quantum coming soon to your favorite grocer or restaurant! Hey Mom and Dad, are you ready for a night out on the town? Then pick up an ice-cold Nuka-Cola Dark and experience the most thirst-quenching way to unwind. Nuka-Cola Dark: that refreshingly familiar Nuka-Cola taste with a light alcoholic twist. 35% alcohol by volume. Do not consume Nuka-Cola Dark if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Do not operate motor vehicles or heavy machinery for at least 8 hours after drinking. But this isn't just a ride, it's one of several operational factories actively producing Nuka-Cola. Here in the mixing area, we combine just a hint of 17 select fruit flavors to produce that unique Nuka-Cola taste. Here in the bottling chamber, we carefully pour each delicious liquid into our new, space-age rocket bottles! Each bottle is carbonated and then sealed with one of our signature bottle caps. And now for a special surprise, this is where we produce the newest member of our family, Nuka-Cola Quantum! That blue glow isn't just for show, folks! Quantum contains a top-secret additive to give you a "nuclear" boost of energy! On behalf of all of us at Nuka-World, we hope you've enjoyed the ride and learning more about Nuka-Cola!" (World of Refreshment announcer's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Never mind. I think you've had enough sugar for one day." Zip: "But Nuka-Cola's fortified with vitaminerals and health tonics! It even says so on the label! That means it's healthy for me!" (Zip's dialogue)
↑Dugan: "{116}{}{It is the stuff of life . . . Well actually, if I don't drink it on an hourly basis I get a splitting headache.}" (DUGAN.MSG)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Never mind. I think you've had enough sugar for one day." Zip: "But Nuka-Cola's fortified with vitaminerals and health tonics! It even says so on the label! That means it's healthy for me!" (Zip's dialogue)
↑Dugan: "{116}{}{It is the stuff of life . . . Well actually, if I don't drink it on an hourly basis I get a splitting headache.}" (DUGAN.MSG)
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