Listen, if you're lookin' for the 411 on Big Red, you’re talkin’ about a classic. This soda has a serious following, especially down south, and it’s been around way longer than most people realize. Here is the deal on what’s inside that bright red bottle and where it started: Where It’s From Big Red was born in 1937 in Waco, Texas. It was dreamed up by Grover C. Thomsen and R.H. Roark. Back in the day, it wasn't even called Big Red; they called it Sun Tang Red Cream Soda. It didn't officially get the "Big Red" name until around 1969 after a golf pro kept callin' it that, and the name just stuck. What It’s Made Of Now, this is where people get tripped up. Because it's bright red, everybody thinks it's cherry or strawberry. Fuhgeddaboudit. It ain't fruit-flavored at all. The Flavor Profile: It is technically a cream soda. The unique taste comes from a mix of orange and lemon oils blended with vanilla. The Ingredients: Like most classic pops, the main players are: Carbonated water High fructose corn syrup (the sweet stuff) Natural and artificial flavors Red 40 (that’s what gives it that "glow in the dark" look) Caffeine (most cream sodas are caffeine-free, but Big Red packs a little kick) Fun Fact: In Texas, it’s a tradition to pair a cold Big Red with some Barbacoa tacos. It’s like a spiritual experience for your taste buds.
@choppers2244 Availability Breakdown: Walmart: Often stocks Big Red/Big Peach products. Rouses: Carries brands like Faygo Peach Soda, but not necessarily "Big Peach" by Big Red. Aldi: Focuses on Summit-brand sodas; rarely stocks branded specialty sodas. Albertsons: Generally carries regional sodas, but check local inventory for specific Big Red brand products.
sprite, from how i remember dr pepper is not good, i don't like sprite much either but if its water from a bottle i often don't like the taste, but if its water from the tap i'd take it
@Poppies Not 100% sure, but I THINK sugar costs so much here in the USA because of protective tariffs put in place a century or so ago to protect sugar farmers here in the USA.
@Poppies It may have varied by location but I have a memory of "Mexican Coke" being advertised and distinguished by a bright read bottle cap.
Family on my mom's side was mostly cane farmers and I remember as a kid the disgruntled conversation about the beverage industry switching to high fructose corn syrup during the war and not returning to real sugar after the war.
Sugar was rationed during the war years and in some places for years after the war, and to this day it's difficult to find real sugar in any processed food item.
