Canada

Schwartz’s Deli stops selling Black Cherry Cola due to U.S. tariffs

By
Daniel J. Rowe

Updated: 

Published: 

Schwartz’s Deli’s famous smoked meat sandwich and Cott’s Black Cherry soda have been falling victim to the ongoing trade war. Matt Grillo explains.

Those used to washing down their Schwartz’s smoked meat sandwich with a Cotts Black Cherry Cola will have to get used to a new brand name if they want a sweet beverage.

General manager Frank Silva said a few cases of the beverage may be kicking around, but the Canada-U.S. tariff war seems to have claimed the drink as a victim.

“We have no more,” said Silva. “The distributor told me they’re no longer producing it; that was back in March, and that was because of the cost of aluminum.”

The iconic shop with lines of customers running around the block will now stock Fleischer’s Black Cherry Soda, canned in Brossard on Montreal’s South Shore.

“Some people think it tastes better,” said Silva.

Schwartz's swaps its black cherry cola option Schwartz's Deli will now stock locally canned Fleischer's Black Cherry Cola instead of the Cott option as the company has stopped shipping it north. (Matt Grillo/CTV News)

As of March 13, 2025, a 25 per cent tariff was placed on certain steel and aluminum products heading south.

Those tariffs may change in the coming days as representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meet on trade.

‘Time is on our side’: Aluminum Association of Canada president on trade negotiations President of the Aluminum Association of Canada Jean Simard on the trade talks with the U.S. and how additional tariffs would impact the aluminum industry.

Cott’s Black Cherry Cola, however, likely won’t be back on shelves any time soon.

“We were the last ones, basically, that had black cherry,” said Silva. “If my supplier can’t get any, nobody can get any.”

Silva said he would order 100 cases of 12 cans a week.

The pairing of smoked meat and Cott’s Black Cherry goes back decades. Silva explained that they once carried other Cott beverages, but one by one they dropped them, keeping just the black cherry.