# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/61 "2008-06-24T20:28:07Z")
Is Hawaiian Punch still around? I haven’t seen that stuff since I was a kid. I remember it being red and insanely sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/62 "2008-06-24T20:37:14Z")
[QUOTE=Ultraviolet] Is Hawaiian Punch still around? I haven’t seen that stuff since I was a kid. I remember it being red and insanely sweet. [/QUOTE] Oh God yes…it remains a favorite of mine to this day. I’d never thought of it as being a regional thing. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/63 "2008-06-24T20:39:18Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] ..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! [/QUOTE] The whole Dr. Brown’s line seems to be a NYC thing. I love the black cherry flavor! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/64 "2008-06-24T20:48:06Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] I grew up drinking a lot of Malta Goya and Coconut soda (Coco Rico) since my family is from Puerto Rico, but I don’t know how popular they are on the island or elsewhere. I can usually find Malta at one of the Hispanic food markets here, and Coco Rico at one of the Asian markets. [/QUOTE] Both can be found in the Mexican section of the big DC-area chain grocers. I wish there was diet Coco Rico. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/65 "2008-06-24T20:55:53Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > 50/50 and other Canfield’s offerings seem mostly available in Chicagoland and surrounding areas Their diet chocolate sodas are available in the DC area. At least I think we still have them, haven’t looked in a while. [QUOTE=lisacurl] Barq’s Root Beer used to be exclusive to this region, but I’m pretty sure it’s nationally distributed now. [/QUOTE] Y’all probably still have a lock on their other sodas. Haven’t seen a Red Crème up here since the 90s. On the subject of local root beers, we have [Old Dominion](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Dominion_Brewing_Company); Wikipedia says they use honey and sugar rather than corn syrup. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/66 "2008-06-24T21:01:28Z")
[Manhattan Special](http://www.manhattanspecial.com/products_pure_espresso.html) is a very sweet espresso soda that seems to be available only in Italian specialty stores less than 50 miles from Manhattan. It’s pretty much sugary crack – it out-Jolts Jolt. ---
**Author:** ![usar\_jag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@usar\_jag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usar_jag)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/67 "2008-06-24T21:11:11Z")
In Japan, there is a penchant for [all things Fanta](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_availability_of_Fanta#Japan), but especially Melon Fanta. ---
**Author:** ![Ro\_Carter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@Ro\_Carter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ro_Carter)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/68 "2008-06-25T01:39:11Z")
[QUOTE=Soul] [The World of Coca Cola](http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/) in Atlanta (it’s fun!) has a Taste It! room (go to Virtual Tour, scroll right) where you can sample sodas from around the world. One they have there is called Beverley, which I believe is from South America. I’ve often wondered if people actually drink that, or if it’s even a real drink, because it’s utterly unpalatable. It tastes just like perfume. Anyone ever had it out in the wild? Edit: bzzzt, it’s Italian. Mea culpa. [/QUOTE] Oh my word. I tasted that at a World of CocaCola at Epcot center. I took a sip and gagged, as did everyone else. It tasted like band-aids to me. The rest of the time we were in there, we stood around waiting for people to take a sip of that stuff. They pulled the most hilarious faces… ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/69 "2008-06-25T03:23:39Z")
[QUOTE=Ro Carter] Oh my word. I tasted that at a World of CocaCola at Epcot center. I took a sip and gagged, as did everyone else. It tasted like band-aids to me. The rest of the time we were in there, we stood around waiting for people to take a sip of that stuff. They pulled the most hilarious faces… [/QUOTE] I was also at the Coke exhibit at Epcot a few years ago and pretty much did the same thing. To say Beverly is an acquired taste is definitely an understatement. (Although, after sampling a few cups, I did decide that I liked it better than Moxie. That stuff tastes like carbonated Vick’s VapoRub.) Still, it should be mentioned that [Beverly](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_(drink)) is a non-alcoholic bitter apéritif and is not supposed to be consumed like Coke, Pepsi, or other soft drinks are. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/70 "2008-06-25T03:38:42Z")
[QUOTE=zeldarae] We have Faygo available at one of our local groceries here in Baton Rouge (Hi-Nabor). [/QUOTE] Faygo is the [beverage of choice](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insane_Clown_Possee#Early_history_.281988.E2.80.931994.29) of fans of Insane Clown Posse, aka Juggalos. Knowledge of this type is exactly the sort of thing I’d like [Lacuna](http://www.lacunainc.com/home.html) to remove from my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/71 "2008-06-25T04:41:04Z")
[QUOTE=Soul] [The World of Coca Cola](http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/) in Atlanta (it’s fun!) has a Taste It! room (go to Virtual Tour, scroll right) where you can sample sodas from around the world. One they have there is called Beverley, which I believe is from South America. I’ve often wondered if people actually drink that, or if it’s even a real drink, because it’s utterly unpalatable. It tastes just like perfume. Anyone ever had it out in the wild? Edit: bzzzt, it’s Italian. Mea culpa. [/QUOTE] I’ve had it at Epcot. Vile stuff. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/72 "2008-06-25T12:50:21Z")
[QUOTE=abbeytxs] 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] It was widely available in the Quad Cities when I grew up. ---
**Author:** ![This\_ll\_Do](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/this_ll_do/32/3023_2.png) [@This\_ll\_Do](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/This_ll_Do)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/73 "2008-06-25T22:02:11Z")
Around here (Alabama and NW Florida) we have Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale. It is quite spicy. I like it, but a friend of mine says it’s “like drinking razor blades.” I can find Vernor’s everywhere here nowadays. And I see Faygo, but just diet varieties. Until this thread I thought they made only diet sodas. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/74 "2008-06-25T23:08:55Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] > [@Santo Rugger](#): > > I wish they imported it into the States. That and Cachaça. I found Pitu (brand) Cachaca in a Pennsylvania liquor store 5 or so years ago. I bought the 3 bottles on the shelf, and haven’t seen it since. For a while I was mixing up caipirinhas left and right, now I’m out. ☹ [/QUOTE] Seriously guys? I never had a problem finding Cachaça in any liquor store. I’ve used it for Caipirinhas for years and never had a problem. In fact, I have some Pirassununga 51 right now that I had left over from the weekend, bought at a liquor store down the street here in Portland, OR. And we’re not talking a high end fancy liquor store - simply the one closest to my house. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/75 "2008-06-26T01:47:24Z")
Ale 8-1. A ginger ale out of central Kentucky. Here’s a [map where it can be found.](http://www.ale8one.com/sales.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/76 "2008-06-26T02:03:21Z")
[QUOTE=This’ll Do] Around here (Alabama and NW Florida) we have Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale. It is quite spicy. I like it, but a friend of mine says it’s “like drinking razor blades.” I can find Vernor’s everywhere here nowadays. And I see Faygo, but just diet varieties. Until this thread I thought they made only diet sodas. [/QUOTE] Just for completeness: [Buffalo Rock](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Rock). And the company blurb: [Brands - Buffalo Rock Company](http://www.buffalorock.com/products/gingerale.html) I love it. It’s not as bat-to-the-throat spicy as Blenheim’s Old #3, but it has a much “darker”, richer ginger flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/77 "2008-06-26T02:05:32Z")
-deleted- ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/78 "2008-06-26T15:21:45Z")
[QUOTE=Morbo] Seriously guys? I never had a problem finding Cachaça in any liquor store. I’ve used it for Caipirinhas for years and never had a problem. In fact, I have some Pirassununga 51 right now that I had left over from the weekend, bought at a liquor store down the street here in Portland, OR. And we’re not talking a high end fancy liquor store - simply the one closest to my house. [/QUOTE] Welcome to Pennsylvania. ☹ The [Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board](http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/Product_Management/psi_ProductListPage_Inter.asp?searchPhrase=Cachaca&selTyp=&selTypS=0&selTypW=0&selTypA=0&Cost1=&accessory=on&chairman=on&closeout=on&holiday=on&limited=on&onetime=on&outlet=on&powerpur=on®ular=on&slo=on&specialty=on&searchCode=&psiSB=brnd&psiSD=ASC&submit=SEARCH) is far from consumer friendly, IMHO. They list their catalogue online, and it looks like they have some available, but I check every so often, and nada. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/79 "2008-06-26T15:50:18Z")
When I visited Greece in high school, I remember seeing a lot of Fanta, especially orange. And I also remember something about there being Fanta shipped there from 2 different places - and one was South Africa? It’s a hazy memory but I recall our tour guide mentioning something about how Fanta from South Africa was better. But I could have misheard or my mind is making all of this up. I love ginger ale. Here, I’ve only seen it in 2-liters at the grocery store, Canada Dry and Schweppes. But when I was in Colorado, Manitou Springs to be exact, they had 20oz at the gas station. I was in heaven. Wish more people liked it here so they would sell it cold at convenience stores. And obviously, St. Louis is all about the [Fitz’s](http://www.fitzsrootbeer.com/) ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923/80 "2008-06-26T15:52:38Z")
[QUOTE=TheMerchandise] The whole Dr. Brown’s line seems to be a NYC thing. I love the black cherry flavor! [/QUOTE] A lot of Jewish delis in California stock it, presumably for the large population of nostalgic former New Yorkers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drinks-that-are-popular-in-a-specific-region/453923.md?page=5)