Irn-Bru

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  • Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soft drink brand, often described as Scotland's "other national drink" after whisky. It is produced and sold by A.G. Barr plc, a Scottish soft drinks company. Irn-Bru was first produced in 1901 by the Scottish entrepreneur Robert Barr as "Iron Brew" and was renamed "Irn-Bru" in 1946. The name is derived from the chemical element iron, which was originally added to the recipe.

History[edit | edit source]

  • Irn-Bru was first produced in 1901 by Robert Barr, a Scottish entrepreneur who owned a soft drinks company in Falkirk, Scotland. The original recipe included quinine and was marketed as a health tonic. The name "Iron Brew" was registered as a trademark in 1902. The recipe was changed in 1946 to comply with new food standards, and the name was changed to "Irn-Bru" due to a legal dispute with a rival brand.
  • In the 1970s and 1980s, Irn-Bru became known for its irreverent advertising campaigns, which often featured humorous and sometimes controversial slogans. The brand's advertising slogans have included "Made in Scotland from Girders", "The Fanny", and "It's Phenomenal".
  • In 2018, the company changed the recipe of Irn-Bru to reduce the sugar content in response to a new sugar tax introduced by the UK government.

Production[edit | edit source]

  • Irn-Bru is produced and bottled by A.G. Barr plc in their factories in Cumbernauld and Milton Keynes. The company produces over 600 million bottles and cans of Irn-Bru each year.
  • The recipe for Irn-Bru is a closely guarded secret, but it is known to contain 32 different flavorings, including ginger and citrus oils. The drink's bright orange color comes from the addition of the food coloring Sunset Yellow FCF.

Varieties[edit | edit source]

  • In addition to the original Irn-Bru, A.G. Barr plc produces a number of other varieties of the drink, including sugar-free and caffeine-free versions. There is also a limited edition "Irn-Bru 1901" which is made using the original recipe from 1901 and is sold in small batches.

Cultural significance[edit | edit source]

  • Irn-Bru is often described as a cultural icon of Scotland, and has been referenced in literature, music, and film. The drink has a devoted following, particularly in Scotland, and is often consumed as a hangover cure. It is also popularly mixed with whisky to create a cocktail known as a "Whisky Mac".

External links[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD