You’re standing in a dimly lit corner store or maybe a random hardware shop—because that’s where the best stuff always is—and you see it. A glass bottle with a black-and-white photo of some random person’s kid or a dog. The liquid inside is a shade of pink that doesn’t exist in nature. It’s neon. It’s glowing. It’s Jones Fufu Berry Soda.
If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, this bottle was basically a status symbol of "alt" culture. While everyone else was chugging corn-syrup-heavy colas, you were holding a piece of art that tasted like... well, what does a Fufu Berry even taste like?
Honestly, nobody really knows. That’s the point.
Jones Soda Co. didn't follow the rules of the beverage industry. They didn't do focus groups. They didn't hire high-priced flavor scientists to create a "scientifically optimized berry profile." Instead, they leaned into the weirdness. They let the fans pick the photos on the labels. They made a soda that tastes like a mix of strawberry, raspberry, and maybe a hint of lavender or vanilla, depending on who you ask. It’s sweet. It’s tart. It’s unapologetically loud.
The Weird History of Fufu Berry
Jones Soda didn't start in a boardroom; it started in the mind of Victor Harrison in Western Canada during the mid-80s, though the Jones brand we know launched in 1996. They wanted to be the "anti-Coke." They chose glass bottles when everyone was moving to plastic. They chose real cane sugar (mostly) when everyone was moving to high fructose corn syrup.
But Jones Fufu Berry Soda was different. Most of their flavors were self-explanatory. Green Apple. Cream Soda. Root Beer. Then came Fufu. The name itself is a mystery. Some people think it refers to the West African staple food made from cassava, but let’s be real—this soda tastes nothing like fermented starchy mash. In the context of Jones, "Fufu" was just a vibe. It was whimsical. It was a "what is that?" conversation starter.
By the early 2000s, this specific flavor became the brand's darling. It was the "cool kid" drink. It appeared in video games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Jet Set Radio Future. If you were a skater or a gamer in 2002, you probably had an empty Fufu Berry bottle sitting on your shelf because the label looked cool.
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What Does It Actually Taste Like?
Let’s get into the weeds here. If you buy a bottle today, you're going to notice a few things immediately. First, it’s remarkably smooth. Because Jones uses cane sugar, you don't get that sticky, cloying film on the back of your throat that you get from a Pepsi.
The flavor profile is a bit of a moving target.
I’ve talked to people who swear it’s just strawberry. Others get a heavy hit of "blue raspberry" candy. The most accurate description? It’s a floral berry. There is a distinct "pink" flavor that feels lighter than a heavy red fruit. It’s bright. It’s zingy. It’s definitely a dessert soda, not something you’d pair with a steak, but it’s oddly refreshing when it’s ice cold.
The Ingredients Breakdown
- Carbonated Water: Standard stuff.
- Invert Cane Sugar: This is the secret sauce. It provides a cleaner sweetness.
- Citric Acid: For that "zing."
- Natural and Artificial Flavors: This is where the "Fufu" magic (and mystery) lives.
- Modified Food Starch: Helps keep the color and flavor suspended.
- Red 40: Obviously. That’s how you get the neon glow.
Why the Labels Matter
You can't talk about Jones Fufu Berry Soda without talking about the photography. This was the original "user-generated content." Long before Instagram existed, Jones was crowdsourcing their brand identity.
People would mail in physical photos. Later, they uploaded them to the website. If your photo was chosen, it ended up on thousands of bottles. It made the brand feel human. You weren't just buying a product from a faceless corporation in Seattle; you were holding someone’s vacation memory or a snapshot of their pet.
Even now, checking the label is part of the ritual. It creates a weirdly personal connection to a mass-produced beverage. It’s ephemeral art. Once the soda is gone, the bottle remains a tiny, glass-encased gallery.
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The Cult Following and The "Hard" Pivot
For a while, Jones Soda struggled. They tried to go big, moving into cans and competing directly with the giants in grocery stores. They almost lost their soul. But in recent years, they’ve leaned back into what made them great: the glass bottle and the weird flavors.
They even branched out. Did you know there is now a Mary Jones line? In states where it's legal, they’ve released cannabis-infused versions of their classic flavors. And yes, Fufu Berry is one of them. It shows that the flavor has legs. It’s not just a nostalgic relic; it’s a flavor profile that people actually enjoy, regardless of the "extra" ingredients.
Is It Actually Good for You?
No. Let’s be honest. It’s soda.
A single 12oz bottle of Jones Fufu Berry Soda packs about 30 to 40 grams of sugar. That’s your daily limit in one go. But nobody drinks Jones for their health. You drink it for the dopamine hit. You drink it because it’s a treat.
The use of cane sugar makes it slightly better in terms of how your body processes the glucose compared to corn syrup, but it’s still a sugar bomb. If you’re watching your macros, this is a "cheat day" beverage. But as far as "cheat" drinks go, it’s one of the most satisfying ones on the market.
Where to Find It Today
Finding Jones used to be a treasure hunt. You’d find it in the "International" aisle of a grocery store or at a weird boutique. Now, it’s a bit more accessible, though still niche.
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- Cracker Barrel: They are the kings of nostalgic soda. They almost always have Fufu Berry.
- Kroger/Fred Meyer: Usually tucked away in the "Natural" or "Specialty" soda section.
- Liquor Stores: High-end liquor stores often carry Jones as mixers.
- Online: You can buy a 12-pack on Amazon or directly from the Jones Soda website.
How to Drink It (The Pro Way)
Don't just crack it open at room temp. That’s a mistake.
To actually appreciate the nuances of Jones Fufu Berry Soda, you need it "painfully cold." Stick it in the back of the fridge where things almost freeze. Or, better yet, put it in a bucket of ice salt for twenty minutes.
The coldness cuts the sweetness and highlights the tartness of the berry. Some people even use it as a base for a float with high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The pink soda hitting the white ice cream creates this weird, marbled "Fufu Cloud" that looks incredible and tastes like a liquid lollipop.
The Verdict on Fufu
Is it purely nostalgia? Maybe a little. But the fact that Jones Soda Co. has survived for nearly three decades while other "gimmick" sodas (looking at you, Orbitz) died out proves there's something real here.
It’s a drink for people who don't want to grow up entirely. It’s for the person who still buys vinyl records and likes to see the artwork. It’s for the person who wants their tongue to turn slightly pink after a few sips.
Jones Fufu Berry Soda is an icon of "weird" American beverage culture. It shouldn't work. A neon pink soda with a random black-and-white photo of a tractor on the front is a marketing nightmare on paper. But in reality, it’s a classic.
Actionable Ways to Experience Jones Fufu Berry
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Jones, don't just grab a random bottle. Make an experience out of it.
- Check the Label: Look up the "series" number on your bottle. Every label has a story, and you can often find the background of the photographer on the Jones website.
- Mix It Up: Use Fufu Berry as a vibrant mixer for a summer cocktail. It pairs surprisingly well with a botanical gin or a very clean vodka.
- Submit Your Own: Take a high-contrast, interesting photo and submit it to their gallery. There is a legitimate chance your face (or your cat's face) could end up on the next batch of Fufu Berry.
- Temperature Control: Ensure the bottle is chilled to exactly $38^{\circ}F$ for the optimal balance of carbonation and flavor. Anything warmer and the cane sugar becomes too dominant.