America's Oldest Commercial Soft Drink Isn't Coca-Cola

Schweppes soft drinks sold so well, he expanded the business in 1792 and moved production to England. His carbonated water required a special bottle. Ones made of earth lost gas quickly, so Schweppes began using a glass bottle invented by William Hamilton that needed to be placed on its side so the cork remained wet,

Schweppes soft drinks sold so well, he expanded the business in 1792 and moved production to England. His carbonated water required a special bottle. Ones made of earth lost gas quickly, so Schweppes began using a glass bottle invented by William Hamilton that needed to be placed on its side so the cork remained wet, preventing any gas from escaping. According to the Schweppes website, "Customers referred to Schweppes as 'Lightning in a bottle' because it was the first bottle of its kind to retain carbonation." 

When Schweppe retired, he sold his business, but innovation continued with the 1835 invention of Schweppes Lemonade. Ginger ale and tonic water, initially thought to ward off malaria, was added in the 1870s.

Schweppe's ginger ale was not the first to hit American soil. That honor goes to Detroit druggist James Vernor. Familiar with Irish ginger ales — Belfast chemist Thomas Joseph Cantrell is credited with creating the first carbonated version in 1852 — he mixed up his own recipe for his Higby & Sterns store. When the Civil War interrupted his work, he left a ginger syrup cask behind. He returned four years later, tasted it, and decided he found the perfect formula, said Serious Eats. Vernors Ginger Ale went on the market in 1865 and is believed to be America's earliest soft drink. 

Some runner-up soft drinks are Dr. Pepper, served at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1885, and Hires Root Beer, which was available in pharmacies by 1884. Coca-Cola, by the way, wasn't invented until 1886.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunB%2FkGlscXFflrqmvsicmKxln6Gxpr%2FTZpqopZ2av6S1wKVkrKeWqXqlvsinomaho6PBbq%2FOnJhmm5%2BhrnA%3D

 Share!