# Soft drinks that are popular in a specific region. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [June 23, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923 "2008-06-23T15:46:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/21 "2008-06-23T17:55:39Z")
[QUOTE=Dottygumdrop] Sooner or later, a Kiwi doper will be in to tell you all about L&P (it stands for [Lemon & Paeroa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_and_Paeroa)). The best ad I have seen for it is [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSFCvG6curE)! [/QUOTE] I came in to mention that one, which I remember from my travels in NZ. It’s quite nice, although I believe it’s a bit of a con now as it’s no longer made with the Paeroa mineral water that gives it its name. I was going to say [Vimto](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimto) is only popular in the UK, but it appears it also enjoys a following in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, of all places, if Wikipedia is to be believed. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/22 "2008-06-23T18:08:13Z")
DFW has something like 6M people and you can find a lot of imported stuff that you wouldn’t find in small town USA. Maaza in India is mango-flavored and tasty. Orangina from France, mmm baby! Like carbonated orange juice with some other citrus. I’ve never worked up the courage to try it, but around here there’s one imported from Mexico that is tamarind flavored. I like tamarind in Indian dishes but it doesn’t sound like soft drink material to me. I had a sip from a can of a Persian carbonated yogurt thing…well, more for them! ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/23 "2008-06-23T18:14:26Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] DFW has something like 6M people and you can find a lot of imported stuff that you wouldn’t find in small town USA. Maaza in India is mango-flavored and tasty. Orangina from France, mmm baby! Like carbonated orange juice with some other citrus. I’ve never worked up the courage to try it, but around here there’s one imported from Mexico that is tamarind flavored. I like tamarind in Indian dishes but it doesn’t sound like soft drink material to me. I had a sip from a can of a Persian carbonated yogurt thing…well, more for them! [/QUOTE] My main memory of visiting Paris as a child of 7 is the taste of Orangina and hot dogs. They sell it or sold it here too but it didn’t taste as nice. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/24 "2008-06-23T18:30:50Z")
[QUOTE=Jodi] [Cheerwine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerwine) is a uniquely Southern (U.S.A) soda pop. I understand it’s pretty good if you like cherry soda, which I personally don’t. [/QUOTE] Interesting… it must not have gotten as far as southeast Louisiana. I’ve never seen it in my life. Of course, that could be because the region has a lot of its own speciality sodas. Barq’s Root Beer used to be exclusive to this region, but I’m pretty sure it’s nationally distributed now. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/25 "2008-06-23T18:34:37Z")
[QUOTE=lisacurl] Interesting… it must not have gotten as far as southeast Louisiana. I’ve never seen it in my life. Of course, that could be because the region has a lot of its own speciality sodas. [/QUOTE] It is made in North Carolina, and isn’t sold very far from that state’s borders. It was recently announced that the company will begin distribution to Georgia for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/26 "2008-06-23T18:39:00Z")
[QUOTE=Jodi] [Cheerwine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerwine) is a uniquely Southern (U.S.A) soda pop. I understand it’s pretty good if you like cherry soda, which I personally don’t. [/QUOTE] I adore Cheerwine. Last time I visited NC, I seriously contemplated stowing a six-pack in my luggage despite the rule against liquids on airplanes. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/27 "2008-06-23T18:41:59Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] Yoo-hoo seems to be an East Coast thing. I could find it anywhere in NY and NJ, but it’s pretty hard to find out here in CA. [/QUOTE] Outside of the New York Jewish cultural diaspora, the idea of a chocolate flavored soft drink becomes a non sequitur. By and large, chocolate syrup is for milk, period. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/28 "2008-06-23T18:44:36Z")
I had never heard of Big Red until I moved to Texas. I don’t think it is popular anywhere but down here. It is a red colored, cream soda tasting drink. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/29 "2008-06-23T18:47:36Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] I adore Cheerwine. Last time I visited NC, I seriously contemplated stowing a six-pack in my luggage despite the rule against liquids on airplanes. [/QUOTE] You are allowed have liquids in your check-in baggage. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/30 "2008-06-23T18:50:07Z")
[QUOTE=bannerrefugee] [Blenheim](http://blenheimshrine.com/) ginger ale is only available in South Carolina as far as I know. I have never seen it anyplace else. It’s very good, and the hot ginger ale is something else. It used to be you could only get cheerwine in North Carolina, you can find it other places sometimes now. [/QUOTE] I can get Blenheim’s here in Ohio. It’s fabulous. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/31 "2008-06-23T18:50:39Z")
[QUOTE=abbeytxs] I had never heard of Big Red until I moved to Texas. I don’t think it is popular anywhere but down here. It is a red colored, cream soda tasting drink. [/QUOTE] We used to get it in IL when I was a kid. However, it was no match for Swiss Creme Soda by Canfield’s, so that was always first choice. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/32 "2008-06-23T18:51:27Z")
[QUOTE=An Gadaí] You are allowed have liquids in your check-in baggage. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but I usually travel without checking bags. I may have to make an exception next time, though. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/33 "2008-06-23T18:59:20Z")
[Vess](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vess) is an ancient St. Louis-area soda company (apparently no longer locally-owned). I haven’t had a Vess product in an eon, but I will always love them for two reasons: 1) their orange soda, Whistle Orange (“Thirsty? Just Whistle!”) was my childhood favorite; and 2) their motto is “The Billion Bubble Beverage”, which is a phrase that just makes me smile. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/34 "2008-06-23T18:59:46Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] We used to get it in IL when I was a kid. However, it was no match for Swiss Creme Soda by Canfield’s, so that was always first choice. [/QUOTE] I always liked Shasta Creme Soda. Where in Illinois? I grew up in central IL and don’t remember seeing Big Red. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t available, I just don’t remember it. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/35 "2008-06-23T19:00:21Z")
…is aboslutely the strangest-tasting soda i’ve ever had. it’s popular in NYC, and areas with a large jewish population. It’s not unpleasant…just weird! ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/36 "2008-06-23T19:01:28Z")
Buffalo, New York has loganberry pop of various brands; Aunt Rosie’s, Crystal Beach, and some others. Vernor’s seems to be a Lake Erie region thing; Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo. Birch beer and cream soda are also very popular in upstate New York, although it’s not that difficult finding the drinks elsewhere in the country. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/37 "2008-06-23T19:02:51Z")
[QUOTE=abbeytxs] I always liked Shasta Creme Soda. Where in Illinois? I grew up in central IL and don’t remember seeing Big Red. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t available, I just don’t remember it. [/QUOTE] North Central…you know LaSalle-Peru or Ottawa? Shasta was pretty good for a quasi-generic brand. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/38 "2008-06-23T19:06:54Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] DFW has something like 6M people and you can find a lot of imported stuff that you wouldn’t find in small town USA. Maaza in India is mango-flavored and tasty. Orangina from France, mmm baby! Like carbonated orange juice with some other citrus. I’ve never worked up the courage to try it, but around here there’s one imported from Mexico that is tamarind flavored. I like tamarind in Indian dishes but it doesn’t sound like soft drink material to me. I had a sip from a can of a Persian carbonated yogurt thing…well, more for them! [/QUOTE] Wait, Orangina is from France?! I see it all over the place here and thought it was just some brand that no one ever bought. Seriously, I don’t understand, you can find the stuff anywhere, but I’ve never actually seen anyone buy it. Usually imports are not that ubiquitous. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/39 "2008-06-23T19:11:55Z")
I do know LaSalle. Near Starved Rock, not too far from Rockford? I grew up in Springfield, went to U of I, Urbana. As for the Shasta, what can I say, cheap parents. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/40 "2008-06-23T19:13:15Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] Is there any place that Wink is popular? I actually like that drink, but I never see anyone else drinking it. [/QUOTE] I grew up around Cleveland, and remember not only Wink commercials (Drink Wink! The sassy one – from Canada Dry!"), but a promotional button which you could flip to see two different images of an eye which appeared to be winking at the viewer. This would have been in the mid-'60’s – Wink seemed to disappear after a few years in the market. **lobotomyboy63** : According to [this page](http://www.beveragesdirect.com/detail-776-Canfields_5050_Soda_12_Pack.asp), there’s no lemon flavoring, and the label appears to depict only two different fruits. Apparently the Cotton Club 50/50 I remember is the [same stuff](http://www.bevnet.com/bevboard/bevboard-general/27425-cotton-club-50-50-a.html), although Cotton Club’s signature product was its ginger ale. I remember a previous thread on “stuff you just learned” in which someone confessed to just recently realizing that ginger ale got its name from the ginger that flavored it. I never had that disconnect, as Cotton Club commercials featured a woman singing “I’m Big Ginger with the big ginger taste – Cotton Club/ Less Sweet Ginger Ale!” **cher3** : When were you a kid? I was born in 1959, and don’t recall “Vernors Burners” (as my dad’s sisters called it, in recognition of the fact it wasn’t as mild as Cotton Club’s ginger ale) ever not being available in Northeast Ohio. We even drank [Boston Coolers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernors#Detroit_menu_items_that_include_Vernors) on occasion, although Aunt Karen used the term for any concoction of pop poured over ice cream. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923.md?page=3)