In 1946, one of the most powerful men in the Soviet Union faced a dangerous dilemma regarding a sugary drink. Marshal Georgy Zhukov, a celebrated hero of World War II, had developed a secret affinity for a beverage that his own government despised as the essence of American capitalism.
He craved the taste of Coca-Cola, but he knew that being photographed with the iconic dark liquid and fluted bottle could end his career or threaten his life. His solution involved a clandestine request to the White House, a team of industrial chemists, and a cleverly disguised shipment that looked exactly like vodka.
A Dangerous Thirst
General Dwight D. Eisenhower first introduced Zhukov to Coca-Cola during Allied meetings in the final stages of the war. The Soviet Marshal consumed the drink enthusiastically, but the geopolitical climate shifted rapidly after the surrender of Germany.
As the Cold War began, Soviet propaganda labeled Coca-Cola as a toxic representation of American imperialism. Zhukov could not be seen holding the distinctive contoured bottle in public. He required a way to consume the soda at official functions without drawing the attention of Joseph Stalin or the NKVD secret police. He decided to ask his American counterparts for a technical modification.
The Request for “White Coke”
Zhukov made a discreet inquiry to General Mark W. Clark, who commanded the U.S. sector of Allied-occupied Austria. He asked if the Americans could manufacture the soda without its famous dark caramel coloring. Clark believed this gesture would help maintain good relations with a key Soviet figure and forwarded the unusual request to President Harry S. Truman.
The administration contacted James Farley, the chairman of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation. Farley was currently overseeing the establishment of 38 bottling plants across Southeast Europe and agreed to fulfill the special order. He viewed it as a unique logistical challenge rather than a political statement.
Chemistry and Camouflage
The technical task fell to Mladin Zarubica, a technical supervisor for the Coca-Cola Company in Austria. Zarubica located a chemist who successfully removed the caramel coloring from the formula while keeping the original flavor profile intact. The result was a completely transparent liquid.
To complete the disguise, the company abandoned its trademark contour bottle. They poured the clear soda into straight-edged, clear glass bottles that were indistinguishable from those used for high-end vodka. For a final detail, they sealed the bottles with white caps featuring a bright red Soviet star.
Delivery Behind the Iron Curtain
The plant produced fifty cases of this custom “White Coke.” The shipment bypassed standard customs regulations and arrived in the Soviet zone of Vienna. While guards and officials assumed the crates contained standard vodka, Zhukov could openly enjoy his favorite American soft drink at banquets and official inspections.
The deception worked perfectly. The Marshal drank the product of his American allies in plain view of the Soviet leadership, and the clear soda allowed him to satisfy his preference without political consequence.
In 1946, Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov faced a peril.
He loved Coca-Cola, but drinking the dark "imperialist" soda publicly could doom his career.
He needed a secret way to consume the American drink right under Stalin's nose without getting caught…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/YYAmsMkItA
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) November 29, 2025