By Stefan Kergl

Is There a Canadian Brand of Hard Soda That I Can Support?

Yes. If you are looking for a Canadian hard soda with bold flavour and plenty of personality, The Pop Shoppe is a homegrown brand worth discovering. Founded in Canada in 1969, The Pop Shoppe has transformed some of its most nostalgic soda flavours into refreshing alcoholic beverages made for adults.

The result is a fun alternative to ordinary coolers, hard seltzers, and mixed drinks, served with a distinctly Canadian twist.

What Is Hard Soda?

Hard soda is an alcoholic beverage inspired by the familiar flavours of traditional pop. While many hard seltzers focus on light, subtle flavours, hard soda typically delivers a sweeter and more recognizable soda drink experience.

It is an approachable option for adults who want something different from beer, wine, or spirit-forward cocktails. Depending on the flavour, it can be enjoyed chilled directly from the can, poured over ice, or served alongside casual food at a gathering.

Is The Pop Shoppe a Canadian Brand?

Yes, The Pop Shoppe is proudly Canadian. The brand began in 1969 when two Canadian entrepreneurs introduced an affordable and memorable way to buy soda. Customers visited dedicated Pop Shoppe locations, selected their favourite flavours, and carried the bottles home in the brand’s recognizable red crates.

The business grew to more than 1,000 locations before closing in the 1980s. The Pop Shoppe returned to the Canadian market in 2006, bringing its colourful branding, glass bottles, and nostalgic flavours to a new generation.

Today, The Pop Shoppe continues to celebrate its Canadian roots while expanding beyond its classic craft soda lineup. Its hard soda collection gives adults another way to enjoy the flavours associated with this long-standing Canadian brand.

What Flavours of Hard Soda Does The Pop Shoppe Offer?

The Pop Shoppe has reimagined several fan favourites as alcoholic beverages. Depending on availability in your province, flavours may include:

  • Cream Soda
  • Orange
  • Lime Ricky
  • Sour Key

Each flavour offers a different take on the hard soda experience. Cream Soda is smooth, sweet, and nostalgic, while Orange delivers the bright citrus taste of a classic orange soda drink. Lime Ricky brings a lively citrus flavour, and Sour Key combines sweet-and-sour candy notes with lemon, lime, and raspberry.

The Pop Shoppe’s hard sodas are generally sold in 473 mL cans with 7% alcohol by volume. For example, the Sour Key Hard Soda listed by the LCBO is a 7% Ontario product, while the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation describes it as a vodka-based ready-to-drink beverage.

When Is Hard Soda a Good Choice?

Hard soda works well when you want a casual alcoholic beverage with more flavour than a typical seltzer. It can be a colourful addition to backyard barbecues, cottage weekends, game nights, birthday celebrations, or relaxed evenings with friends.

Different flavours can also be paired with different foods. Citrus options complement grilled dishes, tacos, and salty snacks, while sweeter varieties such as Cream Soda can work well with desserts or spicy foods.

Where Can I Find The Pop Shoppe Hard Soda?

Availability varies by province and retailer. Check your local liquor store, provincial liquor retailer, or licensed beverage delivery service to see which flavours are offered near you. The Pop Shoppe’s Sour Key Hard Soda, for example, is available through select LCBO locations, while other flavours can be found through liquor retailers in several Canadian provinces.

Support Canadian With Every Sip

If you have been asking, “Is there a Canadian brand of hard soda that I can support?” the answer is The Pop Shoppe. It combines Canadian history, nostalgic soda drink flavours, and an adult-friendly format in one playful beverage.

Explore the available flavours, find a favourite, and raise a can to a Canadian original.

Please enjoy responsibly. The Pop Shoppe Hard Soda is intended only for adults of legal drinking age.