The nostalgic origins of Soda and Cola Drinks go back to Sasafras.
Sarsaparilla, as it was called, was the original patent medicine that we have all seen peddling his concoctions to cowboys in old western movies and at the same time, treated as Cons peddling sham goods. Oddly, you'd be amused to find that Coca Cola was originally marketed as a medicinal.
Sarsaparilla drinks date back to the 16th century.
Sarsaparilla Wiki
The original Sarsaparilla drink is not available in the USA due to the FDA declaring elements of Sasafras as carcinogenic. The real thing is still available in Southeast Asian Countries and the Philippines. In the USA, the Sarsaparilla drink that is still sold is made from alternate ingredients.
The first soda pop drink was Root Beer.
Root Beer Wiki
Root Beer dates back to the 1840s.
After the introduction of Carbonated Soft Drinks, Sodas and Colas took off in diverse directions. But Soft Drinks first appeared in medieval Mid East and then Europe. Carbonation of mineral water first evolved in the 18th century.
Soft Drink Wiki
I have never tried Saraparilla in my life time, but Root Beer, for sure, as well as a lot of different Sodas and Colas. Now, Diabetes has such drinks on the list of evils that include cigarettes.
