Each U.S. state has its title to assert, some admirable, some quirky, and others downright genius. On the subject of tender drinks, one portion of the nation has loads to crow about. That will be the Deep South, birthplace and present residence to arguably essentially the most iconic soda of all, Coca-Cola. However there is a Southern subculture of smaller soda makers, one with deep roots and and associated tremendous followers. One of many lesser recognized manufacturers, however immensely in style with these in-the-know, is the citrus-centric, caffeine-heavy, Solar Drop tender drink. 

Solar Drop got here to life in 1928 by the hands of a Missouri businessman, about 4 a long time after Coco-Cola debuted in Atlanta, Georgia. Although Missouri is technically a border state to the American South, it is closely influenced by Southern tradition. It lies a handshake away from Tennessee and a slide over to North Carolina, the 2 states largely answerable for Solar Drop’s identification as a Southern drink. Bottling crops in each states churned out the wildly in style buzzy drink, sending it hovering throughout state strains. That is partially due to NASCAR racing legend Dale Earnhardt, a North Carolina native, who promoted Solar Drop and was adopted years later by Texas-born racing driver Ryan Hunter-Reay. 

The unique bottling plant in Pulaski, Tennessee, rebranded as Solar Drop Bottling Co., nonetheless exists right now. Nevertheless, factor hardly ever goes unnoticed. The Solar Drop foothold takes a lot wider steps today, underneath the possession of Keurig Dr. Pepper. 

In its early days, Solar Drop might not have loved the huge distribution of its bigger Southern-born carbonation kings, however many people within the South would say they favored it that approach. Much like North Carolina’s Cheerwine tender drink, the well-loved Solar Drop model dips within the deep nicely of regional identification, every begrudgingly sharing their secrets and techniques with the nation-at-large. It is a part of a bunch of Southern sodas with big followings and humble beginnings, together with RC Cola, Nehi orange and grape colas, Large Pink from Texas, and Barq’s root beer from New Orleans. 

Like its lemon-lime soda cohorts, Solar Drop boasts a daring presence and distinctive style. It is a citric explosion that includes orange juice, carbonated water, and lemon and lime flavorings. The thought of a citrus-based tender drink was distinctive at its inception, although adopted years later by similar-tasting rivals akin to Mountain Dew, a Southern-born soda from Tennessee. It additionally predated different brilliant lemon-lime drinks akin to Sprite, 7UP, and Mello Yello. One factor making Solar Drop stand out within the citrus soda kingdom is its caffeine content material, which is loads. It harbors 64 milligrams per 12-ounce can, significantly greater than different comparable sodas. 

To its credit score, Solar Drop hears the broader voice of its expanded fan base, responding with variations akin to a caffeine-free model. There’s additionally a Cherry Solar Drop and two food regimen choices, all with roughly the identical caffeine buzz as the unique.