The Caribbean Soda Buying Guide: Ting, Kola Champagne & D&G Grapefruit Compared

If you grew up drinking Caribbean sodas, you already know the big three: Ting, Kola Champagne, and D&G Grapefruit. They get lumped together by anyone unfamiliar with them, but they're genuinely different drinks. Here's how they stack up.

Ting — sparkling grapefruit, sweet-tart

The best-known of the three internationally. A Jamaican grapefruit soda with a bright, sweet-and-tart character — closer to a real grapefruit than the artificially sweet grapefruit sodas found on US shelves. Great over ice on its own, or as a mixer.

Kola Champagne — spiced, not fizzy wine

Despite the name, no relation to champagne — it's a spiced, cream-soda-adjacent cola with a distinctive vanilla-and-spice profile. Sweeter and less citrusy than Ting.

D&G Grapefruit — sharper and more bitter

Made by the same company behind Ting (D&G/Trade Winds), but with a more bitter, less sweetened grapefruit edge. Fans tend to prefer one or the other strongly; it's rarely a tie.

Which one should you buy first?

If you've never tried any of them, Ting is the easiest entry point — it's the most widely recognised and the most readily available to order online right now. You can buy the 330ml can from Great British Imports, shipped across the United States.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ting the same as regular grapefruit soda?

Not quite — most US grapefruit sodas (like Fresca or Squirt) are sweeter and more artificial-tasting than Ting's sharper, more authentic grapefruit character.

Where can I buy Ting in the US?

Mainstream grocery stores rarely carry it. Great British Imports ships it nationwide.