Nuka-Cola

Nuka-Cola, produced by the Nuka-Cola Corporation, was the most popular soft drink in the world before the Great War. After the War, many bottles of this pre-War favorite still survived, and Nuka-Cola remains one of the most popular soft drinks of the post-apocalyptic world. Their bottle caps are also famously used as currency, along with Sunset Sarsaparilla and Vim.

Background
Nuka-Cola was invented in 2044 by John-Caleb Bradberton. Its unique taste gained widespread popularity, quickly becoming the most popular soft drink in the United States with an extremely dedicated following. The widely known dazzling blue bottle color was adopted as standard in 2052, after market research programs indicated that the blue color was the favorite in 86 people out of 100 polled.

The ingredients of Nuka-Cola include: carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate (to protect taste), natural flavors, citric acid, and caffeine. What gives it a unique flavor is the essence of seventeen different fruits mixed in just the right proportion to give the beverage its trademark taste. Some versions of the drink also include vita-minerals and health tonics. During the Great Passion Fruit Famine of 2044, people actually noticed the taste difference when the recipe was changed.

By 2067, vending machines with ice cold Nuka-Cola could be found on virtually every street in America, and even an amusement park in the Commonwealth.

Nuka-Cola


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. In Fallout 4, Nuka-Cola bottles take on a newer look.

Nuka-Cola (ice cold variants)


Ice cold Nuka-Cola is a rare wasteland commodity that is the result of placing a bottle of Nuka-Cola in a functioning refrigeration unit. It may be chilled, but it is still irradiated and flat.

Nuka-Cola Quantum


In 2077, a new version called Nuka-Cola Quantum was introduced. According to the advertisements, it had twice the calories, twice the carbohydrates, twice the caffeine and twice the taste. To make it stand out more on the shelves and to give it an extra kick, the Quantum included a mild radioactive strontium isotope (and an eighteenth fruit flavor - pomegranate). The effect was a drink that not only boosted your energy, but also glowed with a bright blue light. While no ill effects were recorded by the Food and Drug Administration, the isotope also caused the drinker's urine to glow for almost a week.

Reports that can be obtained in the Nuka-Cola plant show that product development had not been without failures and casualties. All of the testers of the first batch died soon after consumption. The company found a suitable isotope in strontium-90 after replacing the previous Strontium-85 isotope, citing that the "synthesis process too costly." The product was made in small experimental groups, which were then sent out around Washington, D.C. for feedback. Unfortunately, while the product was being sent out for response, some of the packages were caught out in the Great War.

Nuka-Cola Quantum was officially released to the public the same day the bombs dropped: October 23, 2077. Because of this, Nuka-Cola Quantum is incredibly rare in the wasteland, with many bottles found in trucks that were shipping the product, ravaged by the bombs. It is more common in the Commonwealth and West Virginia than in the Capital Wasteland, however. At least in the Commonwealth, there were special "pre-release" shipments delivered to certain grocers and restaurants, accounting for its greater availability.

The Quantum substance had originally been created as a secret weapon under the research of the Doctor Rex Meacham, sponsored by the army. He managed to finish the project before his death, soon after the bombs dropped. His research can be used to create Quantum ammunition for the Thirst Zapper, which make blue radioactive explosions that can disintegrate the target as well as Nuka Quantum grenades. After gaining the schematics, and related launcher, from John-Caleb Bradberton's private vault, the Sole Survivor can use Quantum to create enhanced mini nukes.

Nuka-Cola Quantum is also used to speed up processes in Fallout Shelter, such as Wasteland return speed and crafting time.

Nuka-Cola Clear
The company began to develop a product called Nuka-Cola Clear, with "only minimal loss of life." The formula and some entries on a research terminal can be found in the Nuka-Cola plant, but it never made it into production. In Nuka-World there is a holodisk about Nuka-Cola Clear on Bradberton's desk in his office. There is also a terminal entry indicating that Clear is modified from an existing product called Sharon's Downhome Country Lemon. The drink was never released due to the cost, but was planned to at least two fiscal years later.

Nuka-Cola Black
Nuka-Cola Black is a flavor of Nuka-Cola with a coffee base which was planned to be replaced with dextromethamphetamine. It is unclear whether it ever had a public release, only being mentioned on a terminal in the Kanawha Nuka-Cola plant. It was given the product code name "Walrus."

Nuka-Cola Quartz


Nuka-Cola Quartz is a flavor of Nuka-Cola. In a similar sort of situation to Nuka-Cola Quantum. It is a clear drink with a white tint and glow. This version of the soft drink also gives the drinker low-light vision, much like the effects given after taking Cateye. The Nuka-Cola Corporation had a trademark battle with Vim! Pop Incorporated over the "Quartz" trademark, since Vim was also selling a drink known as Vim Quartz. Nuka-Cola won the battle. This flavor was given the product code name "Angry Beaver."

Nuka-Cola Victory


Nuka-Cola Victory is another flavor of Nuka-Cola. It is colored orange, giving it a distinct look, much like Nuka-Cola Quantum.

Nuka-Cherry


 Nuka-Cherry is a cherry-flavored variant of Nuka-Cola with red coloring that was distributed in the vicinity of Boston and West Virginia. 

Nuka-Cola Orange


 An orange-flavored version of Nuka-Cola, easily distinguished by its orange bottle and the orange slice on its label. It also contains pear brandy as part of its flavor base and trace amounts of arsenic to cut its intense aftertaste. Strangely, some element in its make-up causes it to temporarily boost a drinker's resistance to radiation. The only known supplies of this brand of the drink that remain in the wasteland are those contained within the boundaries of the Nuka-World theme-park in the Boston Commonwealth, as well as sold within the Whitespring Resort in Appalachia. It was given the product code name "Fur Seal." 

Nuka-Cola Dark


 Distinguished by its namesake deep black color, Nuka-Cola Dark is an alcoholic variation of the popular soft-drink boasting 35% alcohol by volume. The only known supplies of this intoxicating sweet drink that remain in the wasteland are those contained within the boundaries of the Nuka-World theme-park in the Boston Commonwealth, or early access to the product in the Whitespring Resort. 

Nuka-Cola Wild


 Nuka-Cola Wild is a root-beer-flavored drink that was meant to compete with Sunset Sarsaparilla. It comes in a red bottle and is marked with a red-orange label bearing the legend "Nuka-Wild". The only known supplies of this brand of the drink that remain in the wasteland are those contained within the boundaries of the Nuka-World theme-park in the Boston Commonwealth and in the Whitespring Resort in West Virginia. 

Nuka-Grape


 Easily distinguished by its purple-on-purple color scheme and the grape-bunch featured on its label and bottlecap. As its name suggests, Nuka-Grape is a grape-flavored variant of Nuka-Cola. The only known supplies of this brand of the drink that remain in the wasteland are those contained within the boundaries of the Nuka-World theme-park in the Boston Commonwealth and in the Whitespring Resort in West Virginia. 

Cherry Nuka-Cola


Cherry Nuka-Cola is a variation of regular Nuka-Cola. After it was introduced, it turned out that nobody liked the taste. This resulted in a marketing disaster for the company, which quickly attempted to save the brand by introducing the Classic Nuka-Cola, tasting exactly like the original, but in a new bottle. The story of its introduction, rejection, and replacement by Classic Nuka-Cola mimics that of New Coke.

Classic Nuka-Cola


Classic Nuka-Cola tastes exactly like the original Nuka-Cola, but comes in a new bottle. It was an attempt at saving the brand after the marketing disaster that was Cherry Nuka-Cola.

Yellow Nuka-Cola


Yellow Nuka-Cola is a "variation" of regular Nuka-Cola, both yellow in color and with an "interesting" smell. In Chicago, during the Brotherhood of Steel's reign, there were reports of this strange yellow Nuka-Cola. However, it was quickly identified as a substance designed by a "mad naked man" who "made water." Considering this, and the fact that it's poisonous to anyone naive enough to actually drink it, it is apparent that the so-called cola is in fact a generous helping of urine.

Fusion Cola


Phil, the Nuka-Cola dude, had the thankless job of riding around the Wasteland with his bike and refilling all of the Nuka-Cola machines that littered it. It was a tradition passed down (rather stupidly) from generation to generation. Phil was not impressed and doesn't like Nuka-Cola that much. It is rumored that he had something called Fusion Nuka-Cola, a unique, unknown taste which was created by fusing together some Nuka-Cola dregs into a concentrated essence.

Crafted at Nuka-mixer station
 Any of these drinks can be improved by chilling them in Buddy, resulting in an ice cold variant. While some are statistically identical to their warm counterparts, others provide an improvement to the drinks effect on the drinker's metabolism, resulting in increased health and action point bonuses.

Officially registered recipes
Such was the popularity of Nuka-Cola and its influence over Pre-War American culture, that not only did the company produce its own soft drink-themed amusement park, but one of the draws was the opportunity to create new Nuka-Cola recipes by mixing together various existing Nuka-Cola products at a Nuka-mixer station. The most successful mixes were recorded and written down, obviously intended to later be "officially" created by the company and distributed. Before the bombs dropped, some fifteen distinct recipes had been derived from park-goer experimentation:


 * Nuka-Berry: A cocktail of regular, Cherry and Grape flavored Nuka-Cola, creating a distinctly mixed fruit flavor. As an added bonus, something about it helps purge the body of a drastic amount of radiation, in addition to refreshing and providing an energy boost.
 * Nuka-Bombdrop: Building on the foundation of Nuka-Cola Dark, this ultra-alcoholic cocktail adds in a shot each of bourbon, rum and vodka to the already alcoholic Nuka-Cola Dark, then adds a dose of plain Nuka-Cola to balance it out. It provides a massive surge of physical energy, temporarily boosting a drinker's strength, endurance and agility.
 * Nuka-Cide: The ultimate Nuka-Cola mixer, this greenish drink combines normal, Quantum, Victory, Quartz, Cherry, Dark, Grape, Orange and Wild Nuka-Cola into one single concentrated batch. This incredible brew provides a mind-boggling surge of adrenaline, massively restoring energy and providing temporary numbness to pain, increased energy reserves, and resistance to radiation.
 * Nuka-Cooler: Combines the three "special edition" flavors of Quantum, Quartz and Victory. Although mildly radioactive, this lime-green soft drink provides an insanely potent boost in energy levels.
 * Nuka-Frutti: An "ultimate fruit-flavored edition" mixer, this takes a shot of normal Nuka-Cola and blends it with a shot of Cherry, Grape, and Orange. Although very refreshing, it's most useful in the wasteland for both purging radiation in a drinker's body and providing a temporary radiation resistance boost.
 * Nuka-Hearty: An especially nourishing blend that uses a tato and a carrot flower mixed into a cocktail of Nuka-Cola and Nuka-Cola Dark.
 * Nuka-Lixir: Combining regular and Orange Nuka-Cola with a dose of Med-X creates a cocktail that not only refreshes, but also acts a painkiller.
 * Nuka-Love: A pink Nuka-Cola created by blending Nuka-Cherry with Nuka-Cola Quartz. It provides a significant energy boost and some refreshment, but is most unique for its color.
 * Nuka-Power: Mixing two parts Nuka-Cola Dark and one part Nuka-Cola, this brew strangely enhances the drinker's ability to carry weight, letting them haul much larger loads.
 * Nuka-Punch: A more intense version of Nuka-Frutti created by using a shot of Nuka-Cola Quartz as the base instead of Nuka-Cola. Blood red and mildly luminescent in color, it purges radiation, provides some refreshment and energy, and increases the drinker's basic reserves of health and energy.
 * Nuka-Ray: A blending of Nuka-Cola Orange and Nuka-Cola Victory, this bright yellow soft drink provides both a massive amount of refreshment and temporary resistance to radiation.
 * Nuka-Rush: A blending of Nuka-Cola Wild and Nuka-Cola Victory, this dark green soft drink is as refreshing as Nuka-Ray, but replenishes energy instead of providing radiation resistance.
 * Nuka-Sunrise: A refreshing, fruity beverage made by mixing Nuka-Cherry with Nuka-Cola Orange. It's mildly refreshing and grants some radiation resistance.
 * Nuka-Void: An intense cocktail created by blending Nuka-Cola Quantum with Nuka-Cola Dark. A dark purple-blue in color, it provides a small jolt of energy, mild refreshment, and bolsters the user's strength when it comes to hauling heavy loads.
 * Nuka-Xtreme: A blending of Nuka-Cola Grape and Nuka-Cola Quantum, balanced with a shot of regular Nuka-Cola. This strange purple soft drink gives off a greenish glow, purges a significant amount of radiation, and increases the drinker's reserves of health and damage.

Nuka-World raider recipes
Other recipes have been developed by the raiders dwelling in the park since the bombs dropped. These, however, an aspiring brewer must figure out for themselves. Some named mixtures include: 
 * Newka-Cola: A drink created by mixing Nuka-Cola and Nuka-Cherry. In addition to bolstering the drinker's metabolism, it also provides some amount of energy to the drinker.
 * Nuka-Buzz: More of a concentration than a mix, this drink is made with two bottles of Nuka-Cola Wild. Although it offers a smaller health boost than a single bottle of Wild, it provides more than twice as much energy without any of the radiation.
 * Nuka-Fancy: With one Nuka-Cola Wild and one Nuka-Cherry, this mix offers a respectable boost to the drinker's health and energy.
 * Nuka-Free: Created by applying dirty water to a normal bottle of Nuka-Cola, this mix manages to boost the soda's effect on the user's metabolism without irradiating them. However, it doesn't make them feel particularly energetic in the process.
 * Nuka-Twin: A combination of normal Nuka-Cola with Wild, improving the drinker's metabolism and energy level.