
There's something magical about stumbling across a childhood favourite you thought was gone forever. For countless Australians browsing the cordial aisle at Coles recently, that magic moment arrived in the form of a familiar green bottle: Cottee's Pine Lime cordial was back.
The discovery, shared excitedly by a customer online, sparked an immediate wave of nostalgia across social media. 'Cottees Pine Lime Flavoured Cordial has been discontinued' showed up in product reviews until recently, leaving fans lamenting the loss of their beloved flavour.
'To everyone that was missing the Cottee's Pine Lime flavour, it is finally back!!' wrote the delighted shopper. Their joy was infectious, with responses flooding in from fellow Australians who'd been mourning the absence of their childhood drink.
'The melody came to me quickly as I crossed the Harbour Bridge'
The flavour that tasted like summer holidays
Pine Lime wasn't just any cordial flavour—it captured something uniquely Australian. The shopper who spotted its return confirmed that 'the formulation and flavour of the nostalgic Pine Lime flavour 'tastes exactly how I remember it''. That's no small feat in today's world of reformulated products and changed recipes.
'This is my favourite flavour. I love Splice ice cream and this flavour tastes exactly like this. It is very refreshing for summer days', wrote one reviewer, perfectly capturing why Pine Lime holds such a special place in Australian hearts.
The timing couldn't be better. As one customer noted: 'Just in time for summer.' It's the kind of refreshing drink that takes you straight back to scorching January afternoons and cricket on the back lawn.
The jingle that defined a generation
For Australians over 60, mention Cottee's and one thing immediately springs to mind: that unforgettable jingle. 'My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee's, to make the cordial, that I like best' became the soundtrack of Australian childhood in the late 1980s and beyond.
The genius behind this cultural phenomenon was songwriter Peter Martin, tracked down years later by ABC's Gruen Transfer team. 'The melody came to me quickly as I crossed the Harbour Bridge,' Martin revealed, before performing the original acoustic version: 'My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee's, to make the cordial, that I like best.'
The 1988 television commercial became 'the ad that first sprang to mind—the one that has stuck with me for longer than the sticky rings in the door shelf of my parents' fridge—includes a jingle that all Australian kids chanted from the late 1980's well into the next decade', according to advertising industry analysis.
When kids made it their own
What truly cemented the jingle's place in Australian culture wasn't just its catchiness—it was how children transformed it. 'Still, we sang it, and came up with several utterly filthy variations.
If Cottee's wasn't the cordial we liked best before this jingle, it sure was afterwards, because we couldn't get it out of our heads and none of us could even remember the name of any other cordial'.
The playground parodies became legendary. 'My dad picks his nose, and grinds the snotties, to make the cordial, that you like best' was one of the more printable versions that did the rounds.
'We all had a slightly-varied version going 'round school that went a little something like, 'My Dad picks his nose that goes to Snottee's.' Iconic line: Basically the entire thing, but, of course, 'My Dad picks the fruit that goes to Cottee's.''
Current Cottee's flavours available at Coles
Pine Lime (the triumphant returnee)
Passiona (also spotted making a comeback)
Coola (reportedly Australia's most popular cordial flavour)
Lemon, Orange, Apple Raspberry
Fruit Cup and Raspberry
All varieties: $5.50 for 1L bottle
Zero sugar versions available for popular flavours
The marketing masterpiece that fooled us all
This iconic Australian ad is now used in Marketing courses. At one point, this song was ringing around every schoolyard in the country. But there was clever psychology at work beyond the catchy tune.
'If Cottee's wasn't the cordial we liked best before this jingle, it sure was afterwards, because we couldn't get it out of our heads and none of us could even remember the name of any other cordial.
It was also effective in tricking everyone into believing that cordial was a natural product freshly squeezed from real fruit'.
The ad's premise was charmingly absurd when you think about it. 'The ad itself is, truth be told, a little confusing: set in a small town where not only does every child run frantically home from school every day just for a glass of cordial, but apparently every single one of the kids' fathers picks fruit for Cottee's'.
A 98-year Australian success story
Cottee's is an Australian food and beverage brand founded in 1927. The company was founded in the early 20th century by dairy farmer Spencer Milton Cottee (September 1863—8 June 1944) from Lismore.
Spencer Cottee was quite the entrepreneur. Cottee was a champion of the dairy industry and began processing and marketing the milk by-product casein. He diversified into processing passionfruit into Passiona soft drink—which explains why Passiona has also made its return alongside Pine Lime.
The brand has weathered many ownership changes over nearly a century. The company is owned by Kraft Heinz with its drinks manufactured under licence by Asahi Breweries. Despite the corporate shuffling, the brand has maintained its quintessentially Australian character.
What this return means for nostalgic brands
The excitement around Pine Lime's return reflects a broader trend of Australians embracing nostalgic products. In an era of constant change and uncertainty, there's comfort in flavours that remind us of simpler times.
'I wish more of our old favourites could come back and be as good as we remember', mused one customer in response to the Pine Lime discovery. It's a sentiment many share, particularly those who lived through the golden age of Australian advertising when jingles became part of the national consciousness.
Why nostalgic products strike a chord
- They trigger positive childhood memories and feelings of security
- Familiar flavours provide comfort in uncertain times
- Shared cultural references create connection between generations
- Quality formulations that 'taste exactly how I remember' build trust
- Summer timing taps into peak nostalgia season for Australian families
Perfect timing for summer gatherings
The return comes at the perfect moment—just as Australian families prepare for summer entertaining and school holidays. At the recommended ratio of 'one part Cottee's cordial with seven parts water', a single bottle goes a long way for family gatherings.
All Cottee's cordials sold at Coles are $5.50 for a 1L bottle, making them an affordable way to add some nostalgic flavour to hot summer days. The consistency in pricing across flavours means families can try the returning Passiona alongside their rediscovered Pine Lime favourite.
For those who've been mourning the loss of Pine Lime, this return represents more than just a drink coming back to shelves. It's proof that sometimes, if we're patient enough, the things that made our childhoods special can find their way back to us—tasting exactly as we remember them.
Have you spotted Pine Lime back on the shelves at your local Coles? What childhood cordial flavours would you love to see make a comeback? Share your nostalgic drink memories with us below.
Original Article
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...s-discontinued-cordial-pine-lime-cottees.html
Cottees Pine Lime Flavoured Cordial reviews | ProductReview.com.au
Cited text: Cottees Pine Lime Flavoured Cordial has been discontinued.
Excerpt: 'Cottees Pine Lime Flavoured Cordial has been discontinued'
https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/cottees-pine-lime-flavoured-cordial
Cottees Pine Lime Flavoured Cordial reviews | ProductReview.com.au
Cited text: I love this flavour—This is my favourite flavour. I love Splice ice cream and this flavour tastes exactly like this. It is very refreshing for summe...
Excerpt: 'This is my favourite flavour. I love Splice ice cream and this flavour tastes exactly like this.
https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/cottees-pine-lime-flavoured-cordial
The Ads That Made Us: Cadbury, Cottee’s Cordial, Banana Boat
Cited text: An ad that truly stands the test of time so much so that I can recite it, word-for-word, decades later: My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee’s,...
Excerpt: 'My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee's, to make the cordial, that I like best'
https://www.mediaweek.com.au/the-ads-that-made-us-cadbury-cottees-cordial-banana-boat/
The songwriter behind the iconic Cottee’s Cordial TV jingle has been found
Cited text: On camera, Martin told the Gruen team, “The melody came to me quickly as I crossed the Harbour Bridge, so I’ll play something from the early workings ...
Excerpt: 'The melody came to me quickly as I crossed the Harbour Bridge,' Martin revealed, before performing the original acoustic version: 'My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee's, to make the cordial, that I like best.'
https://thebrag.com/songwriter-cottees-cordial-tv-jingle/
The songwriter behind the iconic Cottee’s Cordial TV jingle has been found
Cited text: Singing, “My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee’s, to make the cordial, that I like best.” · Shoutout to Peter Martin for creating this irresist...
Excerpt: 'The melody came to me quickly as I crossed the Harbour Bridge,' Martin revealed, before performing the original acoustic version: 'My dad picks the fruit, that goes to Cottee's, to make the cordial, that I like best.'
https://thebrag.com/songwriter-cottees-cordial-tv-jingle/
The Ads That Made Us: Cadbury, Cottee’s Cordial, Banana Boat
Cited text: Cottee’s Cordial—My Dad Picks the Fruit, 1988 · “The ad that first sprang to mind—the one that has stuck with me for longer than the sticky rings ...
Excerpt: The 1988 television commercial became 'the ad that first sprang to mind—the one that has stuck with me for longer than the sticky rings in the door shelf of my parents' fridge—includes a jingle that all Australian kids chanted from the…
https://www.mediaweek.com.au/the-ads-that-made-us-cadbury-cottees-cordial-banana-boat/
“My Dad Picks The Fruit”: Cottee’s Ad—Australian Business and Leadership School
Cited text: Still, we sang it, and came up with several utterly filthy variations. If Cottee’s wasn’t the cordial we liked best before this jingle, it sure was af...
Excerpt: 'Still, we sang it, and came up with several utterly filthy variations.
https://abls.com.au/2024/07/13/my-dad-picks-the-fruit-cottees-ad/
The Ads That Made Us: Cadbury, Cottee’s Cordial, Banana Boat
Cited text: Many of the people from my generation would likely remember this somewhat more immature version of the ad: My dad picks his nose, and grinds the snott...
Excerpt: 'My dad picks his nose, and grinds the snotties, to make the cordial, that you like best'
https://www.mediaweek.com.au/the-ads-that-made-us-cadbury-cottees-cordial-banana-boat/
28 Iconic Australian TV Ads That'll Hit You With All Kinds Of Nostalgia
Cited text: ... Why it was good: We all had a slightly-varied version going 'round school that went a little something like, 'My Dad picks his nose that goes to S...
Excerpt: 'We all had a slightly-varied version going 'round school that went a little something like, 'My Dad picks his nose that goes to Snottee's…
https://www.buzzfeed.com/ishabassi/australian-ads-are-so-iconic-they-belong-in-a-museum
“My Dad Picks The Fruit”: Cottee’s Ad—Australian Business and Leadership School
Cited text: This iconic Australian add is used in our Marketing courses.
Excerpt: This iconic Australian ad is now used in Marketing courses. At one point, this song was ringing around every schoolyard in the country
https://abls.com.au/2024/07/13/my-dad-picks-the-fruit-cottees-ad/
17 Most Iconic Aussie TV Ads Of All Time | Man of Many
Cited text: If Cottee’s wasn’t the cordial we liked best before this jingle, it sure was afterwards, because we couldn’t get it out of our heads and none of us co...
Excerpt: 'If Cottee's wasn't the cordial we liked best before this jingle, it sure was afterwards, because we couldn't get it out of our heads and none of us could even remember the name of any other cordial.
https://manofmany.com/entertainment/movies-tv/most-iconic-aussie-tv-ads-of-all-time
17 Most Iconic Aussie TV Ads Of All Time | Man of Many
Cited text: The ad itself is, truth be told, a little confusing: set in a small town where not only does every child run frantically home from school every day ju...
Excerpt: 'The ad itself is, truth be told, a little confusing: set in a small town where not only does every child run frantically home from school every day just for a glass of cordial, but apparently every single one of the kids' fathers picks…
https://manofmany.com/entertainment/movies-tv/most-iconic-aussie-tv-ads-of-all-time
Cottee's—Wikipedia
Cited text: Cottee's is an Australian food and beverage brand founded in 1927.
Excerpt: Cottee's is an Australian food and beverage brand founded in 1927. The company was founded in the early 20th century by dairy farmer Spencer Milton Cottee (September 1863—8 June 1944) from Lismore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottee's
Cottee's—Wikipedia
Cited text: The company was founded in the early 20th century by dairy farmer Spencer Milton Cottee (September 1863—8 June 1944) from Lismore.
Excerpt: Cottee's is an Australian food and beverage brand founded in 1927. The company was founded in the early 20th century by dairy farmer Spencer Milton Cottee (September 1863—8 June 1944) from Lismore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottee's
Cottee's—Wikipedia
Cited text: Cottee was a champion of the dairy industry and began processing and marketing the milk by-product casein. He diversified into processing passionfruit...
Excerpt: Cottee was a champion of the dairy industry and began processing and marketing the milk by-product casein.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottee's
Cottee's—Wikipedia
Cited text: The company is owned by Kraft Heinz with its drinks manufactured under licence by Asahi Breweries.
Excerpt: The company is owned by Kraft Heinz with its drinks manufactured under licence by Asahi Breweries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottee's