Tuesday is "Big Red" soft drink day in Louisville (2024)

FAQs

Is Big Red a Kentucky thing? ›

Big Red was an off-brand spin of blue cream soda initially marketed exclusively in Central and South Texas and around Louisville, Kentucky, and in Southern Indiana. The Louisville connection was due to Roark owning the R.C.

Some mistake the flavor for being bubble gum or maybe hints of cinnamon, but Big Red is actually made of citrus oils blended with the vanilla of a traditional cream soda. 4. For the longest time, Big Red was only sold in Texas, but now can be found in southern Indiana and in Kentucky.

In 2007, Big Red Ltd. was purchased by Gary Smith with the backing from Citigroup Venture Capital and Goldman Sachs. Gary Smith now serves as the Chairman and CEO of Big Red and All Sport, Inc. In 2008, Keurig Dr Pepper purchased a minority interest in Big Red, Inc.

While it's hard to put your finger exactly on what it tastes like—part of the appeal, no doubt—it's basically a cream soda. A vivacious, colorful cream soda that's saccharinely sweet and flavored with orange and lemon oils, instead of the cherry or berry that people assume due to its color.

Milk is named and designated as the official state drink of Kentucky. Effective: June 20, 2005 History: Created 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 36, sec.

Originally sold exclusively around Louisville, Kentucky and some parts of Southern Indiana, Big Red Soda is now marketed throughout the United States, but remains mostly popular in Southern United States.

Until the 1970s, Big Red couldn't be found outside of Texas, Kentucky, and southern Indiana; today, it's distributed by Dr. Pepper, meaning those unlucky enough to live outside of Texas may not have to drive so far.

It's evocative of cola, it's fruit-forward, and it has a hint of warm spices. Dr Pepper has a certain je ne sais quoi we can't describe. There are a lot of theories about what exactly is in the soda, and one of the most prominent rumors is that it's made with prune juice.

Upon the failure of the Coca-Cola merger, Dr Pepper and Seven Up merged (creating Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc., or DPSU), giving up international branding rights in the process. After the DPSU merger, Coca-Cola obtained most non-US rights to the Dr Pepper name (with PepsiCo taking the Seven Up rights).

What flavor is co*ke? ›

Cola is a carbonated soft drink flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, citrus oils, and other flavorings. Cola became popular worldwide after the American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton invented Coca-Cola, a trademarked brand, in 1886, which was imitated by other manufacturers.

Nationally, the drink is in 43 states, and it established beachheads last year in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and upper Michigan. Big Red has been in Florida and Southern California for four years now. The only part of the U.S. not on the Big Red bandwagon is the Atlantic coast.

Big Red was invented in a Waco laboratory in 1937 by Grover C. Thomsen and R.H. Roark, 52 years after Dr Pepper's birth in the same city. It was originally called Sun Tang Red Cream Soda and was marketed exclusively in Central and South Texas and around Louisville, Kentucky.

Until the 1970s, Big Red couldn't be found outside of Texas, Kentucky, and southern Indiana; today, it's distributed by Dr. Pepper, meaning those unlucky enough to live outside of Texas may not have to drive so far.

Benedictine. While a delicate cucumber sandwich may invoke images of British High Tea, this particular version made from grated cucumber and onion, cream cheese, and dill was created by Ms. Jennie Benedict, a caterer in Louisville, in the 1890s. She called her invention Benedictine.