Cee Tee Jackson

Drinks all round!

Two bottles of Irn Bru (one Diet Irn Bru) on a mossy rock with a Scottish glen in the background.
(Our other national drink.)

What’s your favourite drink?
That’s a question you don’t hear too often here in Glasgow – certainly not in a bar. Anyone asking that is likely to find them being stung for a round of drinks.

It’s a bit like walking into a bar with a friend and then saying:
“I can’t stay long … I’ve got to do some chores.”
“What chores?”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you – I’ll have a pint of lager, thank you!”

(Sorry – that’s a very old British joke. 😉 )

You may, quite naturally, think that being Scottish, my favourite drink would be whisky. Not at all – I can’t stand the stuff! Even the traditional Scottish beers don’t do it for me – they are too dark; too heavy.

I do enjoy a lager though – Scottish or otherwise. That and the occasional cider are the only alcoholic drinks I really like.

But ‘favourite’ drink? Well that has to be our ‘other national drink’ – Irn Bru. And not just any Irn Bru. There are plenty imitators, but it has to be Barr’s Irn Bru.

Recognised and respected for its recuperative properties for those suffering the morning after a wild night on the bevvy (alcohol) it’s equally enjoyable with a fish / black pudding / pie supper, and over-sized pickled onion bought from the local chippy (chip shop.)

Fish and chips from a chip shop. Traditionally served in newspaper.
(Chip Shop Fish & chips.)

The recipe for Barr’s Irn Bru is a closely guarded secret, but to illustrate the flavour, I’d describe it as: an orange coloured, sweet, fizzy drink, laced with a combination of citrus and bubblegum notes. It contains caffeine and quinine.

Even those who don’t enjoy the flavour of the drink (I’m guessing there may be a few strange people out there) are fiercely proud of its association with the country. Sold on the assertion it is made from (steel) girders in industrialised Scotland, it’s benefited from a fantastic marketing team. The television adverts in particular are priceless.

Judge for yourself from this following video. I implore you to find almost twelve minutes from your day to watch this, the fifteen best adverts for Irn Bru.

Indeed, some of the best TV adverts, ever!

I guarantee, you will laugh!

(Barr’s Irn Bru in its canned form.)

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9 comments

  3. On my last trip to Scotland I picked some Iron Brew Beers from Vault Brewery.
    The cans were very brightly coloured with orange – as were the brews – just like the real Irn Bru.
    I enjoyed them!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Barr’s Irn Bru, the all action drink! They sell it here, but the people at the grocery store don’t get it. They label it on the shelf as “Irn Bru orange soda” Close but no cigar.

    Liked by 1 person

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