Saudi Arabia launches the world's first date-based drink, 'Milaf Cola'

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new drink, Milaf Cola, which is reportedly set to compete with the mainstream classic Coca-Cola and other brands.

Unlike the conventional soft drink made from corn syrup or cane sugar, Milaf Cola is made from dates and is claimed to be the world’s first drink made with the fruit.

Milaf Cola was presented at the Riyadh Date Festival by Thurath Al-Madina, a Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund subsidiary by its CEO Bander Al-Qahtani, and the Saudi Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley.

The makers of the drink claim it to be a healthier alternative to conventional fizzy beverages with no added sugar.

The dates are locally sourced, making the cola environmentally sustainable. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme, which claims to champion sustainable, locally sourced products and seeks to increase economic, social, and cultural diversification.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of dates, and the fruit is known for its health benefits throughout the Middle East.

Al-Madina hinted at making more drinks with dates, including energy drinks, to show the international market that dates are a more versatile ingredient than traditional snacks.

Coca-Cola Boycott

Reports suggest that Milaf could compete with cola giants as a healthier and sustainable option.

Since Israel launched its military offensive on Gaza, which has killed over 44,664 Palestinians since last year, many have resorted to finding alternatives to US companies seen as being too close to Israel, and Coca-Cola is one of them.

Research shows Coca-Cola’s Israel branch operates a factory built in the Israeli settlement of Atarot in the West Bank

From Gaza Cola and Freeway Cola to V7’s Super Soda Cola, new cola alternatives have flooded the market.

Sales of Coca-Cola reportedly dropped in Egypt since Israel’s war began.