Montreal's landmark Schwartz's Deli has replaced its longtime Cott's Black Cherry Soda with a Quebec-made alternative after global supply chain pressures ended Canadian production of the classic drink. The deli now serves Fleischer's Original Black Cherry Soda, produced in St-Hyacinthe by a local brewer who revived the formula to preserve Montreal's smoked-meat tradition.
Why it matters
The shift reflects how trade policies and aluminum tariffs are squeezing niche Canadian food producers, forcing iconic establishments to adapt while fueling consumer demand for local alternatives. Schwartz's transition shows how geopolitical trade disputes reach into everyday cultural experiences.
General manager Frank Silva told Global News the canned version of Cott's Black Cherry Soda was discontinued partly due to U.S. tariffs on aluminum, which made production unsustainable. "When the cost for aluminum went up, they decided to eliminate black cherry in a can," Silva said between sandwich orders. A 2023 Quebec recycling deposit change may have also contributed, he added.
Refresco, the multinational that acquired Cott in 2018, confirmed to The Canadian Press it stopped manufacturing Cott products in Canada. After exhausting remaining stock in March, Schwartz's turned to Fleischer's, a 473ml can that costs about double the former 355ml Cott's version but is often shared, according to Silva.
Brewer Victor Lukoshius developed Fleischer's two years ago upon hearing Cott's might disappear. "We wanted to maintain and keep that tradition," said Lukoshius, who sources ingredients locally and prints cans in Montreal. His small-batch operation absorbs higher costs from tariffs and inflation to continue production.
McGill University professor Saibal Ray explained aluminum tariffs designed for aerospace and automotive sectors disproportionately impact beverage makers. "Cans can represent up to a third of the cost of producing a soda," said Ray, noting niche products like black cherry soda become economically unviable when tariffs compound through cross-border supply chains.
Customer response has been enthusiastic, with Silva scrambling to secure enough inventory. "This morning, I ordered 100 cases, and he only had 87," he said. Visitors like Toronto's Liam Keenan and Vancouver's Ann Thinghuus praised supporting Canadian production while enjoying the classic pairing. "It works really well with the sandwich," Thinghuus said, noting the Canadian flag on Fleischer's cans.
Silva confirmed Schwartz's won't revert even if Cott's returns, reflecting a broader Buy Canadian trend among businesses navigating trade uncertainties. "It's local, it's Canadian, so people are really getting into it," he said.