Why Coca-Cola’s yellow-capped Easter bottles have become a seasonal trend

Every spring, Coca-Cola bottles look a little different, wearing a bright yellow cap rather than the usual red color. Although social media has compared the seasonal product to Mexican Coke, which uses cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, the origin of the cap change goes back to a rabbi in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rabbi Tobias Geffen, who led the Orthodox Jewish community in Atlanta and served as rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, is credited with making the iconic drink kosher and, ultimately, giving it permission to be consumed on Passover, according to the Atlanta Jewish Times.

Jews who keep kosher are not allowed to eat certain things, including pork and shellfish. They are also forbidden to eat unauthorized beef. During Passover, these guidelines become stronger, as many Jews avoid eating grains, leaving corn syrup off the table.

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In 1935, the Coca-Cola Company allowed Geffen to identify the ingredients of the drink, while maintaining its secret by not revealing the measurements. He discovered that the drink contained two things that worried him: glycerin found in non-kosher beef tallow and corn syrup.

Although Coke failed Geffen’s initial investigation, the company’s scientists discovered that the glycerin found in cottonseed and coconut oil could be used without changing the soda’s taste, solving one problem. After the ingredient was changed, Geffen gave it his seal of approval for consumption, but Coke was still banned during Passover. However, the company’s scientists were able to replace the grain-based ingredients with cane and beet sugar, allowing Jews to enjoy the drink during Passover and throughout the year.

Cases of Coca-Cola soda are displayed at a Costco Wholesale store on April 27, 2025, in San Diego, Calif. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

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After Coca-Cola replaced high-fructose corn syrup in its standard US formula in the 1980s, the Easter version remained seasonal. Every year in the weeks leading up to Easter, the shelves are filled with Coca-Cola products with bright yellow caps, indicating that they contain cane sugar, not corn syrup.

The renewed interest in sugary soda comes as Coca-Cola begins to expand its use of the sweetener in the US beyond the seasonal product. In October 2025, Coca-Cola began releasing sugary soda packaged in glass bottles. The change received support from President Donald Trump, who said sugary soda is “better” than high fructose corn syrup. The product is being introduced in select markets, although Coca-Cola has not yet said it plans to abandon corn syrup entirely.

In this photo illustration, Coke drinks are displayed in an ice cooler at a park on July 17, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

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In recent years, bottles with yellow caps have attracted the attention of many people on social media as some have compared them to Mexican Coke that is infused with sugar cane. While Mexican Coke is usually sold in glass bottles, and is often more expensive than soda produced in the US, the version available for Easter has the sweetener without the higher price tag.

Some foodies on social media encouraged fans to stock up on the seasonal soda because of the low price. The post sparked discussions as to why the cane sugar brand is not available year-round. This may be due to a supply issue, as John Murphy, Coca-Cola’s chief financial officer, he told Bloomberg News that “there is only a certain amount of cane sugar available in the United States.”

Coca-Cola did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

FOX Business’ Sophia Compton, Daniella Genovese and Alex Koch contributed to this report.