Portello (soft drink)

Variety of soft drink

A bottle of River Port portello

Portello (also known as Portino[1] and Ruby Mello[2]) is a carbonated grape and berry flavored soft drink. Its rich, fruity flavour can be compared to port wine (which inspired the drink's name) or cola.[3] It is believed to have originated in London, England in the 18th century, before spreading to colonies of the British Empire.[4]

## History

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A grape flavoured soft drink named Portello was manufactured by Jubilee Ice and Soda Works in Uganda in the late 1940s. It was said to be more popular in Busoga than drinks produced by Coca-Cola and Pepsi.[5]

## River Port Portello

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River Port Portello was first produced in 1899 in Echuca, Victoria. Over more than a century, the brand has become synonymous with Portello in Australia, building a loyal customer base across generations. With its rich heritage and continued presence in independent supermarkets, corner stores, and regional retailers, River Port Portello has remained a staple of Australian soft drink culture. Today, it is widely considered the number one Portello in the country, known for its strong regional following and enduring popularity. It stands out for its traditional recipe and consistent flavour profile, which have contributed to its legendary reputation.

## See also

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* Cream soda

## References

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1. ^ "Aygee Gippsland :: Portino". www.aygee.com.au. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
2. ^ "Retail". www.alpinebeverages.com.au. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
3. ^ "Wimmers Originals". www.wimmers.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
4. ^ "Cordial: Portello". www.murraybreweries.com.au. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
5. ^ Rahemtulla, Nazlin; Fairweather, Margaret (1 June 2012). Rsvp Rice and Stew Very Plenty. FriesenPress. ISBN 978-1-77097-267-4.