Soft Drink Brands

Similar to cereal, it wouldn’t be easy to find anyone who hasn’t tried a soft drink at least once. Soft drinks are literally found in nearly every culture and country on the planet. They are as pervasive as pasta or rice. They’re everywhere! But, did you know where the term “soft drink” came from? Distilled spirits and hard liquor were historically referred to as “hard drinks.” In an attempt to wean folks off hard drinking, soft drinks emerged. Yet, their high calorie count, caffeine and other ingredients ended up contributing to other unhealthy side-effects which prompted many to shift course in both how they were made and what ingredients they sought to promote.

The very first soft drinks appeared way back in the 17th century. Later, carbonated beverages entered the mix and were used primarily for therapeutic purposes. Some regarded the physical reaction of carbonation and bubbles as witchcraft. Calmer heads, however, later refuted this and thanks to them we all have a wondrous array of soft drinks at our fingertips.

The production of soft drinks is surprisingly complex. At its core, it’s a careful combination of water, acids, juices, sugar, carbon dioxide and flavors. The carbon dioxide gives the soft drink its tangy taste and sparkle. Carbonization is then achieved via a chilling of the liquid and enclosing the end result in an enclosure that contains pressurized carbon dioxide. Packaging is anything from aluminum to glass, plastic or even treated cardboard cartons. Manufacturers are innovating in this area, responding to a host of demands from the public for more sustainable and environmentally friendly storage devices.

Coca-Cola

Still the biggest brand in the world, Coca-Cola is said to be recognized by 94% of the world. That’s an insane percentage, and perhaps Nike is the only other company that can rival this type of brand presence. Introduced way back in 1886, its archrival is Pepsi, but Coke is still the runaway leader.

Diet Coke

The number two most successful soda brand is yet another Coke product – Diet-Coke. Prior to Diet Coke we had Tab, a diet soda that hit the ground running but was soon upended by the Coke empire. Slightly oriented toward an older demographic, Diet Coke is now being consumed more and more by young people. It competes with Diet Pepsi, but again, there isn’t much weight to this competition.

Pepsi-Cola

Coming in at number three is Pepsi. You’ve got to hand it to Pepsi – its sheer will to knock off Coke has been fueling them since 1898. Pepsi has had some marketing wins over the years, and an interesting tagline when they first began – “exhilarating, invigorating, aids digestion.” We bet they’re glad that tagline never lived on.

Mountain Dew

The original “mellow yello.” Folks flocked to Mountain Dew as it was the “kid’s beverage of choice.” It looked like rocket fuel, an eerie nuclear yellow, and all-night video game binges were apparently the preferred spot to drink the Dew. A fun fact – Mountain Dew was originally a reference to moonshine. Makes sense when you think about it.

Dr. Pepper

And rounding out the Top 5 – the Pepper! Good for Dr. Pepper, a long time favorite of many due to its unique taste, Dr. Pepper appeared in “Forrest Gump” who drank an astounding 15 cans and then remarked to President Kennedy, “I gotta pee.” The Pepper has been around since 1885, and while it is unlikely to move into the Top 3, this is a refreshing alternative to Coke or Pepsi.

Thirsty? We are, pick up a can or 2 of any of these classics, but don’t forget to also support the Fantas and Sunkists of the world. They deserve some love as well.