Top 10 Sodas

This popular, zesty drink was first developed in 1906, but really gained ground in 1916 with the creation of the Orange Crush Company. First named “Ward’s” Orange Crush after one of the company’s founders, the company has changed hands a number of times throughout the century and is currently owned by the Dr Pepper/Snapple group. Notable because it originally contained orange pulp, Crush was initially only available in orange. However, additional flavors have popped up over the years including pineapple, strawberry and the ever popular Grape Crush.

It’s not just a clever name. As it’s brewed from a mixture of herbs, roots, and sugars, root beer is, technically, a beer. However, owing to its shortened fermentation process, the actual alcohol content tends to top out at 0.5%. While the drink has origins as far back as 1265 in ancient Britain, it wasn’t really developed or mass marketed until 19th century American pharmacist Charles Hires developed his blend. That was followed by a host of other brands including Barq’s, Mug, Dad’s, and A&W.

This widely popular lemon-lime uncola was first marketed by Charles Leiper Grigg in 1929, mere weeks before that year’s stock market crash. It was first sold under the name “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda,” which – in addition to being a mouthful – was accurate as the soda did contain lithium. The beverage’s name eventually morphed into 7UP – possibly due to the “seven natural flavors that blended into a savory, flavory drink with a real wallop,” and became the third best-selling soda in the world – however, the mood-altering lithium was removed in 1950.

This brown and bubbly champagne stand-in was first crafted in its golden ale form by American doctor Thomas Cantrell. Later, dry ginger was developed by Canadian pharmacist John McLaughlin, who patented the drink in 1907 and marketed it as Canada Dry Ginger Ale. This variant became popular during the Prohibition era as it proved to be an excellent mix with alcoholic drinks. Bathtub gin and ginger anyone? Both dry and golden ales are available from a range of brands including Schweppes and Seagram’s, and it’s often used as a home remedy for nausea.

Possibly the best thing to come out of Deutschland since Johann Sebastian Bach, this fun-loving pop drink was developed for Coca-Cola in Germany by Coke-man Max Keith. Born out of necessity during WWII, the German Coke plant was cut off from the rest of the world, forcing them to create a new drink out of pomace, whey, and any another food-stuff the plant could obtain. Following the war the beverage – whose name is taken from the German word for “fantasy” – was marketed globally and is now available in over 100 flavors.

Pharmacist Caleb Bradham first introduced the refreshing bane of Coke’s existence in 1893 as “Brad’s Drink” – as an energy booster and digestion aid. Five-years later, Bradham hit the spot when the drink was rebranded as Pepsi-Cola after its chief ingredients pepsin and kola nuts. Although Pepsi has never quite topped Coke’s sales numbers, preference for the blue label cola in taste tests was enough to make its red label rival rework its classic recipe in the 1980s, birthing the much-loathed New Coke.

This citrusy drink’ll tickle yer innards. Although now marketed to would be dare-devils, the Dew was actually created by brothers Barney and Ally Hartman to be mix perfectly with, um… locally sourced, untaxed hooch. In fact, the drink’s name itself is a slang term for moonshine. Even with its rustic beginnings, Mountain Dew’s been owned by Pepsi since 1964. The yellow-green stuff may face competition from Mello Yello and Sun Drop; but in the category of things that taste like Mountain Dew, the real deal boasts 80% of market sales.

The go-to soda for those who obey their thirst, this lemony-limey – or as they say, lymon – drink was first developed in Germany as Clear Lemon Fanta. In 1961, it was first marketed as Sprite in the United States and elsewhere, with Germany following suit in 1968. In the 1980s, the beverage began targeting teens with their advertising, and has been a hit with the Walkman and b-ball crowd ever since. Owing to the strength of its parent company Coca-Cola’s distribution network, the citrus soda has beaten rival 7UP since 1989.

This indescribable blend of 23 flavors was first brewed in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton, and, like most sodas in those days, it was promoted as a brain tonic and a sort-of energy drink. Alderton and partners formed what would become the Dr Pepper Company in 1891, making them the oldest pop manufacture in the United States. Attempts to rival the drink have been hard fought, with Coke twice being successfully sued for their alternative to the doctor: Mr, formally Dr, Pibb.

Before we pop the top on our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Cream Soda
- Slice
- Tango
- Fresca
- Stewart’s Fountain Classics

Available anywhere in the world except North Korea and Cuba, our top pick has been the top of the pops for many since 1886. Developed by pharmacist and injured Civil War colonel John Pemberton, he was searching for an alternative to morphine due to his own addiction, and first sold Coke as a tonic. And yes, until 1903 Coca-Cola did actually contain cocaine – about 9mg a glass. Though it’s an icon today, Coke sales in its first year totaled just $50, which represented a $20 loss for the company. Sales since have been significantly higher.

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