Ardeshir’s: Pune’s Homegrown Soda Legacy That Predates Coca-Cola
Ardeshir’s: Pune’s Homegrown Soda Legacy That Predates Coca-Cola
Crafting fizzy cheer since 1884, this iconic brand remains a refreshing symbol of resilience, tradition, and local pride.
Long before fizzy drinks became global giants, a humble bottle of soda began making waves in the heart of Pune. Ardeshir’s, established in 1884, two years before Coca-Cola has since become a cherished part of the city’s cultural and culinary identity. Behind this legacy is a remarkable story of courage, innovation, and generational perseverance.
It all began when Ardeshir Khodadad Irani fled religious persecution in Yazd, Iran, in the late 1860s. Arriving in India with just eight rupees in his pocket, he eventually made his way to Pune after an initial stint in Bombay. One evening, while witnessing a bar brawl caused by a soda shortage, Ardeshir saw not chaos but opportunity. He soon began experimenting with carbonated water. Adding sugar and natural flavours, he created a line of sodas that quickly became a local favourite. In 1884, working out of a small rented barrack in Pune, Ardeshir’s bottled fizzy joy was born.
Unlike many legacy brands, Ardeshir’s has remained a family-owned enterprise. Today, Murzban Irani, the founder’s great-grandson, continues to uphold the brand’s ethos, traditional recipes, returnable glass bottles, and a hyper-local focus. Even as modernisation has touched the factory floor, the soul of the brand remains unchanged.
In fact, Ardeshir’s influence grew even further when Ardeshir’s son, Framroze Irani, launched Frams, a cola brand that earned a loyal following in its own right. Father and son ran their ventures with mutual respect, ensuring both businesses thrived without cannibalising each other.
Though distribution is still centred in Pune’s Camp area, Ardeshir’s has started reaching Pimpri and Chinchwad. Places like Dorabjee and Sons, Cafe Yezdan, Radio Hotel, George, and King’s continue to proudly serve Ardeshir’s drinks, keeping the brand tightly woven into the city’s food scene.
Even in an era dominated by multinational giants like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Ardeshir’s has held its ground not by aggressive marketing, but through consistency, authenticity, and a flavour that resonates with generations. For Punekars, sipping Ardeshir’s is more than quenching thirst, it’s drinking history.
As the brand nears a remarkable 150 years, its story remains a testament to the power of local entrepreneurship, community connection, and the sweet fizz of tradition that never goes flat.
