 Logo | |
| Type | Citrus soda |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Keurig Dr Pepper |
| Distributor | Local bottlers and distributors |
| Country of origin | Missouri,United States |
| Region of origin | |
| Introduced | 1949; 76 years ago (1949) |
| Ingredients | Orange juice |
| Variants |
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| Website | www |
Sun Drop is a citrus-flavoredsoft drink produced byKeurig Dr Pepper with a yellowish-green color. Among soft drinks, it is known for its highcaffeine content.[1]Orange juice concentrate is an ingredient in the drink. Bottled Sun Drop uses real sugar cane, which contains some "pulp" giving Sun Drop its distinct flavor and appearance. Sun Drop competes primarily againstthe Coca-Cola Company'sMello Yello andPepsiCo'sMountain Dew.
Sun Drop was developed inMissouri by Charles Lazier, a salesman of beverage concentrates.[2][3] While riding around town in the family car, Lazier quickly scribbled a recipe for a new soft drink on a small piece of paper which he handed to his son, Charles Jr. The younger Lazier worked as a lab technician at his father’s plant, and soon began work on the formula. Two years later, in 1951, Sun Drop Cola debuted at the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages Conference inWashington, D.C.[4] The Sun Drop formula was patented on April 15, 1930.Gastonia, NC was the headquarters for bottling Sun Drop for over 50 years till 2016.
The drink was marketed in several Southern states under names such as "Sundrop Golden Cola" or "Golden Girl Cola." The brand was acquired and standardized byCrush International in 1970. Crush International was purchased byProcter & Gamble in 1980, which sold its soft drinks holdings toCadbury Schweppes plc in 1989. Cadbury Schweppes demerged in 2008, with its beverage unit becomingKeurig Dr Pepper, which currently produces Sun Drop.
Prior to the sale to Cadbury Schweppes, Procter & Gamble introduced several new Sun Drop flavors in 1985, including a reformulated Diet Sun Drop brand using aspartame instead of saccharin. A third brand, Cherry-Lemon Sun Drop, was introduced that same year. In February 2002, the brand introduced Caffeine-Free Sun Drop to the portfolio after the company received numerous requests from loyal consumers for a caffeine-free version of their favorite citrus soft drink.[4] A diet variant of Cherry Lemon Sun Drop was introduced 2014.
Sun Drop has maintained popularity in many parts of theSouthern United States, especially inKentucky,Tennessee,North Carolina and parts of theMidwestern United States, includingWisconsin and westernMinnesota. Similar to other regional drinks with a cult following, fans outside bottling areas have been known to pay large amounts to have the drink shipped to them. Families have sent it to U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan.[5]
Sun Drop is sometimes used as amixer for drinks with hard liquor.[5]
Sun Drop is the official drink of the nationally recognized "Fancy Farm Picnic" inFancy Farm, Kentucky.
In the 1970s until the early 1990s, the drink was promoted in the American South byNASCAR driverDale Earnhardt.[5] His sonDale Earnhardt Jr. was also sponsored by Sun Drop in thelate model series in 1993; they will reunite for theCARS Tour race atNorth Wilkesboro Speedway on August 31, 2022.[6]
The soft drink was a leading sponsor for racecar driverRyan Hunter-Reay in theIndyCar Series forAndretti Autosport from 2011 to 2013.
Carolina Beverage Corp. bought Sun Drop Bottling Co. of Concord effective December 1, 2016. TheConcord, North Carolina plant closed.[7]
Keurig Dr Pepper distributed Sun Drop nationwide beginning in 2011, with a new campaign that features an updated web site, a Facebook page, and a promotional deal with MTV.[5] The Sun Drop marketing plan is a component of Keurig Dr Pepper's efforts to expand its non-cola soda sales and is targeting drinkers of PepsiCo'sMountain Dew brand of soft drinks in the United States.[5] Sun Drop's expansion occurred several months after Coca-Cola brought its high-caffeine citrus drinkMello Yello nationwide.
Dr Pepper Snapple entered into an agreement with Scratch, MTV's marketing agency. Scratch will develop new Sun Drop advertising and branding, including a new design for the can.[5] MTV will also feature Sun Drop in programming, including on itsreality seriesThe Real World.[when?]
There are six varieties of the drink:[8]
Sun Drop that is bottled in glass bottles is typically sweetened with sugar instead of corn syrup, providing a slightly different taste.[9]
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