Reflections on the first Pop Up
š Big News! Wander Cat Cola operated its first pop up on Friday June 6th, 2025. Completely spontaneously and unexpectedly! The owner of Yume Wo Katare in Cambridge, MA was about to host a special ramen pop up and when I went in for dinner the day before, he asked if I wanted to debut my cola alongside it. I was really not prepared! My equipment, ingredients, and even my process are still a work in progress as Iāve never had to make batches at a ālargeā scale before. (āLargeā meaning more than my experimental 5-10 serving batches.) But how could I turn down a challenge? After all, Wander Cat Cola is a story about spontaneous and unexpected risks and opportunities. I started Wander Cat Cola as the result of a dream I shared at this ramen shop (itās a dream workshop after all!). So I accepted.
I was very excited but also very scared to serve my cola that day. I did not plan on serving it until I figured out the perfect serving size and ratio. I barely had enough ingredients for the limited amount I sold that day. But I made it work even though I was very nervous and frantic the entire time. Jake, the owner, watched me make the syrup and had many comments and feedback on my process. I am grateful to receive his mentorship and I promise Iāll be more prepared in the future!
There are many things that differ between my experimental runs and full service cola. When I taste test my syrups, I donāt always use ice and if I do I donāt always use the same to-go cups that I serve to customers (it feels wasteful!). Iām consistent with syrup to soda water ratios, but everything changes when you add ice. Even the type of ice matters. Do I serve a larger amount of syrup in anticipation of the ice melting? The flavor profile can completely change over time. Or do I keep the ratio consistent to my preferences upfront assuming it will be consumed quickly? This is something I wanted to learn and get closer to making a decision during my pop up.
On top of figuring out an ice strategy, I also didnāt have straws. My cola syrup needs to be mixed with another liquid (in this case, soda water) and ideally thatās done with straws. I like to serve the cola unmixed as the gradient is quite beautiful and photographs well. This is something I see commonly with other handcrafted drinks and really shows off how it is a hand mixed beverage. However, it is best consumed mixed so I had to mix it before serving. But mixing can dissipate the soda water! What is the best experience for the customer? Well, I found out everyone has different preferences. Like anyone working on a craft, how do you find the right balance between your personal vision and what people want?
As a bit of an aside, that trail of thinking reminds me of why I think my cola pairs so well with the ramen at YWK. Itās not just the fact that I believe my spice-forward cola pairs well with the strong salty broth of the ramen (it does!). But if you are unfamiliar with YWK, itās quite famous in the ramen world for its heavy salt, garlic, and pork fat broth. It has a bold flavor and texture profile and never compromises on that. As a result, itās not for everyone. Iād go so far as to say this style of ramen is as popular as it is unpopular. I admire people working on their craft in such a way! That is what I want to accomplish with my cola, too!
I feel that Iāve crafted a bold and daring flavor that wonāt be for everyone. I think when people work on their craft, there are some people for whom their creation will never be āforā. I want to find the people who want to like a spicy cola and hear what their suggestions are. I am so grateful to the people who took a risk and tried my cola that day. It was presented as a spicy cola so that you know upfront a bit of what youāre getting into. It wonāt be for all palates, but for those who are primed to like it, I want it to satisfy you. Thanks to your feedback, I feel I am closer to what I want my product to be. I hope to see some of you again and hear your thoughts.
Now itās time to hit the lab. Iāll be going heads down for a bit preparing for a more official launch of the Wander Cat Cola brand. Iāll be workshopping lots of things.
- Determine how much syrup and soda water to serve in a 16oz cup and measure consistently
- Incorporate straws so that the first sip is strong (syrup at the bottom) and allowing people to mix to their preference
- Decide exact amounts by weight of all spices per batch
- Allow some customization without sacrificing the vision (āmake it spicierā = add syrup, āmake it juicyā = add yuzu or other citrus)
- Decide on a preferred style of ice
I dream of coming back to YWK to serve my cola again! I have been inspired to embark on this journey by the small businesses working on their craft in my local community and I am trying to share my learnings publicly with all of you. You are all customers who deserve a remarkable product and experience and I hope I can satisfy you with my cola. At the same time, this is very much an experimental journey that I am inviting you to take part in alongside me. Thank you again and again for your help!
Popping up again sometime soon,
- Wander Cat Cola