Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. Every year, Jews around the world gather to read the Haggadah, which recounts the story of the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt.
To honor their rush to flee Egypt, not giving their bread enough time to rise before they ran, Jewish law prohibits the consumption of chametz — leavened food made from grains like wheat, rye, oats, barley, and spelt. Ashkenazi tradition also prohibits corn, rice, and legumes (kitniyot), which make finding suitable food and drink a challenge for observant Jews during this time.
For the estimated seven million Jews in the United States — and millions more worldwide — finding products that are kosher for Passover is a big deal. It’s not just about what’s forbidden; it’s about maintaining tradition while still enjoying the flavors and comforts of daily life.
Certain brands craft specifically kosher for Passover foods and drinks for the holiday, and one of them is an exclusive kosher for Passover Coca-Cola, made with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. But few know the incredible century-old story behind how this came to be.
Why is Coke not kosher for Passover?
Standard Coke contains high fructose corn syrup (an example of kitniyot) and an enzyme derived from barley, which is considered chametz. This posed a dilemma for observant Jews who had embraced Coca-Cola as part of American life but could not enjoy it during the holiday.
For most of the year, Americans can only get cane sugar Coke by hunting down the elusive Mexican Cokes that come in those nostalgic glass bottles imported from south of the border. Many swear they taste better, and they’re willing to pay the price: sometimes $5 for a small, half-liter bottle.
So when Passover rolls around and you can snag three full 2-liter bottles of cane sugar Coke for just $5? That’s a steal.
For those wondering why Mexican Coke isn’t considered kosher for Passover year-round, it’s all about the certifications. Turning a kitchen — or in this case, a whole factory — kosher is called kashering; it’s an incredibly expensive endeavor.
That’s why those beloved Mexicokes, despite their real sugar goodness, don’t get the kosher stamp of approval. In the world of kashrut, it takes a whole lot more than kosher ingredients to make the cut.
Becoming American — one Coke at a time
As millions of Eastern European Jews immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, their desire to assimilate and embrace American culture became increasingly evident after World War I.
While seltzer remained the drink of choice among many Jewish families, younger generations saw Coca-Cola as a symbol of American identity. For these Jews, drinking Coke was more than just refreshment — it was a rite of passage.
The rabbi who made Coca-Cola Passover-friendly
To accommodate Ashkenazi Jews who still wanted to enjoy the drink during the eight days of Passover, a rabbi made it his mission to make big changes.
In 1935, Rabbi Tobias (Tuvia) Geffen, who led Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta for 60 years, received letters from Orthodox rabbis across the country asking whether the soft drink was halachically permissible under Jewish law. Unsure of the answer, he reached out to the Coca-Cola Company for a list of ingredients.
What the Lithuanian-born Geffen didn’t know was that Coca-Cola’s recipe is one of the most closely guarded trade secrets in American history.
Surprisingly, the Atlanta-based company agreed to meet with him and granted him unprecedented access to the formula — on the condition that he keep the details confidential. Rabbi Geffen agreed and signed a non-disclosure agreement.
While reviewing the ingredients in the lab, he discovered that the glycerin used in the drink was derived from non-kosher beef tallow. Even though the amount was minuscule — just one part per thousand —, Geffen informed the Coca Cola company that its deliberate inclusion made the product unsuitable for observant Jews. He explained to Coca-Cola that even trace amounts of non-kosher ingredients, if added intentionally, render the product non-kosher.
Back at the company’s laboratories, they quickly got to work on finding a substitute for the tallow-based glycerin. They found a glycerin produced from cottonseed and coconut oil, supplied by Procter & Gamble. After an agreement was reached, Geffen gave his hechsher, or kosher certification, for Coke to be marketed as kosher year-round.
Becoming kosher for Passover
Soon, a second problem arose. The formula for Coke at the time included traces of alcohol derived from fermented grains, another form of chametz. This made it unsuitable to consume at Passover.
Again, the company went back to the lab and discovered that they can substitute cane and beet sugars without any changes in the taste. They agreed to start manufacturing Coke bottles with the new ingredients several weeks before Passover, and have done so every year since.
After publishing a Tshuva (rabbinic legal ruling), he famously declared Coca-Cola as “Kosher for Passover.” His decision made headlines and delighted Jewish families nationwide.
“With the help of God, I have been able to uncover a pragmatic solution according to which there would be no question or any doubt concerning the ingredients of Coca-Cola,” he wrote in his ruling.
A historic first
Coke’s kosher for Passover option was a game-changer. It was the first partnership of its kind — one of the largest U.S. companies adjusted its most popular product to accommodate a religious minority. Rabbi Geffen’s work changed not just Coca-Cola’s recipe, but also set a precedent for how kashrut is performed in the U.S.
How to spot a kosher for Passover Coke
Kosher for Passover Coca-Cola is easy to identify. Bottles feature yellow caps with a special “Kosher for Passover” logo in Hebrew. It is also certified Kosher for Passover by the Orthodox Union, marking it O-U-P.
The recipe swap is subtle — the drink tastes like classic Coke but is sweetened with cane sugar instead of corn syrup. Some people, including many non-Jews, even prefer it for its cleaner, more “natural” flavor.
It’s sold at the same price as any standard Coke and typically comes in 2-liter bottles. Since it’s only widely available in the weeks leading up to Passover, you should definitely stock up on it during the Passover season. If you love it, make sure to stock up — it tends to fly off the shelves!
Pepsi gets in on the act
Pepsi has followed suit, offering its own Kosher for Passover version with similar yellow caps and OU-P certification. It, too, uses cane sugar in place of high fructose corn syrup and adheres to the same Passover restrictions.
A sweet Tradition
Whether you’re Jewish or not, Passover Coke is a fascinating example of how religious tradition and modern commerce can come together. Thanks to the determination of one rabbi and the cooperation of a major company, families around the world can continue to celebrate the holiday without giving up one of their favorite drinks.
So if you see a yellow cap on your next trip to the store, grab a bottle — or two — while it lasts.
