The first grape soda brand that achieved commercial success was called Grapico, and it was invented in New Orleans by two brothers.
Earlier grape soda brands and recipes were not very successful because grapes were expensive. Grapico was made with little to no grape juice and loads of cheap artificial grape flavoring, and because it was so affordable, it became very successful in the south. Soon competing companies like NuGrape (from Atlanta, GA) and Grapette (from Camden, AR) made their own grape sodas and the flavor took the south by storm.
So, grape soda is a southern thing because affordable grape soda was invented in the south!
We at Sprecher think grapes make a good grape soda, which is why we use real grape juice in our soda. It may be a break from southern tradition, but we think everyone north and south deserves a grape soda made with real ingredients.
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