‘I believe most Maltese are just as proud of this iconic product’

Farsons Group Chairman Louis Farrugia recently spoke at a company event in celebration of Kinnie’s 70th anniversary. The beverage, known to many as “The Mediterranean Classic”, was launched back in 1952 and has, since then, enjoyed popularity among locals and foreigners alike.

Speaking about how the soft drink first came into being, Mr Farrugia stated that “Kinnie now commands a significant share of the local soft drinks market and is exported to 16 countries.”

Mr Farrugia fondly related the story of how Kinnie originated as the brainchild of his first cousin, Ninì Miceli Farrugia, in response to the growing presence of international soft drinks on the island.

“Naturally we at Farsons are very proud of our success, and I believe most Maltese are just as proud of this iconic product,” he added.

As a beverage, Kinnie was always different from other soft drinks on the market and, over the years, it has grown to form part of Malta’s identity. One often sees tourists enjoying this ice-cold beverage with a dash of orange on the beach, or asking for it on the plane back home at the end of their holiday.

Over the years, the brand’s profile has expanded and includes a diet version of the drink which was launched in 1984, a sugar-free option which was launched in 2007, and the most recent version, Kinnie Spritz, that was launched in 2021 and which has been a huge success.