'Yassssss, empty the shelves!': Irn-Bru fans react to return of original recipe

With the news that Barr's have announced the return of a limited edition original recipe - Irn-Bru fans took to social media to declare their delight.

Published 23rd Oct 2019
Updated 23 rd Oct 2019

Speaking about the new launch, which will arrive on our shelves this December, the Cumbernauld based company said that the new drink would feature the “old and unimproved” recipe and would hark back to 1901 when Irn-Bru first launched.

According to the team, the new expression will be sold in 75cl glass bottles – expected to be priced around £2 – just as it was back in the day.

Robin Barr, who unearthed the recipe, said: “The 1901 recipe has aged beautifully over the last 118 years.
“For a limited time we’ll be producing a premium ‘old and unimproved’ Irn-Bru 1901, just as it was enjoyed by our first fans.

“This is Irn-Bru as you’ve never tasted it. It’s a chance to enjoy a unique and authentic piece of Scottish history – but don’t hang about, we don’t think it will be around for long.”

Fans were delighted with the news, with many flooding Twitter with comments stating that they were excited to see try the new drink.

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@CelticBhoy77771 wrote: "Sorry Coca Cola you're getting ditched in December."

@ScottWWright was lucky enough to try a sample, and he approved of the new recipe: "Sampled Irn-Bru 1901 yesterday and was whisked back to my late '70s, early '80s childhood. A glimpse of what soft drinks used to taste like, with a sugar rush just off the scale."

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@AntonyMurray25 posted: "Nearly wept with happiness upon reading about relaunch of proper Irn-Bru. The idea that it's limited edition has already put me in a funk."

https://twitter.com/RealMarkDallas/status/1186927983895945216

@SNPMichael demanded more, he wrote: "Just need them to bring back pre-sugar tax Irn-Bru and Fiery Irn-Bru now."

@FraserASmith added: "Making up for lost sales... You know it's coming. This will sell well and proper Irn Bru will be back in no time and I for one am over the moon."

@NotTimorous said: "Very clever marketing by Barr's. Hats off to you. Re-package old recipe Irn Bru in time for hangover season and charge a fortune for the privilege. Cracking stocking filler!"

Sadly, Irn-Bru lovers south of the border might not be able to try it any time soon...

Questions were soon being asked about the new recipe and whether it was similar to the pre-sugar tax version.

@1030 asked if it was the "same recipe as 2001", to which the official Irn-Bru account responded: "No, this is an authentic original recipe from 1901 that came from a handwritten recipe book stored deep in the IRN-BRU archives for more than 100 years."

Another user added: "Even if it's not the full sugar-recipe, the reaction to this drink shows that fans are desperate to have a version of it back. Barr's would do well to listen."

@Gregobi89 then said: "Yeah, this is such an obvious attempt to bring back full sugar in a way that they can claim is 'new' and not at all a backtracking of their decision to remove sugar from the regular Irn Bru because they don’t want to admit they were wrong."

@cjdoc414 wasn't holding back with his views: "Just bring back the real stuff and ditching this 'new and improve' aspartame riddled sewage water they've been passing off for the last few years."

@PaisleySteelman wasn't enamoured with the price: "I wonder if these sad people celebrating news of a sugary irn bru launch will be so cheery when they realise it's TWO QUID for 750ml."

To which several people simply responded that it was "worth it".

Irn-Bru 1901: Barr's to bring back original recipe Irn-Bru this Christmas

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Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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