Have you ever wondered why soda has reigned supreme in the global beverage market for over a century? Soda, a carbonated soft drink, has been a staple in the beverage industry for over a century. These fizzy drinks are created by mixing water, flavoring, and sweeteners, followed by carbonation.
Since the introduction of Coca-Cola in the late 1800s, sodas have become a classic refreshing drink enjoyed by millions worldwide. The world of soda is a fascinating blend of history, culture, and marketing.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the fizzy world of carbonated beverages, exploring the most popular soda brands and the factors that contribute to their success.
Some well-known soda brands worldwide. (Photo source: Eat This, Not That!)
The most popular soda brands’ rankings
Many major soda brands have a long history in the market and can be found in most people’s meals, parties, and daily activities all over the world, like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and 7UP, etc. The histories and development stories of these brands will undoubtedly surprise you; for example, Coca-Cola and Pepsi were originally sold in pharmacies and have many interesting aspects. other.
Coca Cola
Coca Cola is the biggest soda brand in the world. Every day, more than 2.1 billion units of Coca Cola products are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries and territories.
Coca-Cola is a leading name in the beverage industry. It’s soda sales accounted for 75% of its total revenue according to Simply Wall St.
Coca-Cola Zero K-wave collaborates with Korean musicians in order to promote the product. (Photo source: Coca Cola)
The brand is owned and manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Introduced in 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola began as a medicinal tonic and was sold at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia Starting with an iconic drink, they gradually evolved into a comprehensive beverage company.
Over the years, Coca-Cola has diversified its offerings beyond the classic flavor to include a variety of formulations and flavors such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Cherry, and seasonal or region-specific variations. This vast range caters to diverse consumer preferences, ensuring it stays abreast of trends and constant fluctuations in the global market.
For example, in early 2024, Coca Cola launched Coca Cola Zero K-wave, a limited edition product inspired by K-pop. This drink is on shelves in 36 countries and is expected to connect K-pop fans around the world.
Pepsi
Pepsi is the second biggest soda brand in the world, right behind Coca Cola. The iconic Pepsi Cola products are sold in over 200 countries and territories.
The brand is owned and manufactured by PepsiCo, a multinational FnB corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York.
Pepsi’s history dates back to 1893 when Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist, created the drink initially known as “Brad’s Drink.” It was rebranded as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, designed to offer a refreshing alternative with a unique blend of kola nut extract, vanilla, and sugar.
Various varieties of Pepsi soft drinks (Photo source: Pepsi)
Over the years, Pepsi has expanded its product line to include a variety of flavors and formulations, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Popular variants include Pepsi Max (or Pepsi Zero Sugar), Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Wild Cherry, and region-specific flavors. This range, combined with strategic marketing campaigns and global distribution, has solidified Pepsi’s status as a leading soft drink brand worldwide.
Diet Coke
Diet Coke, a major player in the diet soda market, enjoys robust global sales and is particularly popular in the United States and Europe.
Manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company, Diet Coke was introduced in 1982 as a sugar-free alternative to the classic Coca-Cola, targeting health-conscious consumers. Unlike its predecessor, Diet Coke was formulated with a distinct flavor profile, setting it apart in taste while maintaining the brand’s signature appeal.
Diet Coke is a popular low-calories diet beverage
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about health, Diet Coke has expanded its product line to include a variety of flavors and formulations, catering to diverse palates. Popular variants include Diet Coke Lime, Diet Coke Cherry, and Diet Coke Ginger Lime, each offering a unique twist on the original.
7UP
7UP, a renowned lemon-lime flavored soda, enjoys significant global sales, particularly strong in North America and parts of Europe. It is manufactured by Keurig Dr Pepper in the United States and by PepsiCo in other regions, ensuring widespread availability.
The history of 7UP dates back to 1929 when Charles Leiper Grigg introduced it as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda,” later rebranded to the simpler and more memorable 7UP. Known for its refreshing taste, 7UP has expanded its product offerings over the years to cater to varying consumer preferences.
The brand’s portfolio includes the original 7UP, Diet 7UP, and Cherry 7UP, each delivering a unique twist on the classic flavor. Additionally, seasonal and limited-edition variants are periodically introduced to keep the brand dynamic and appealing. This diverse range of flavors and formulations, coupled with strategic marketing, has cemented 7UP’s position as a beloved and enduring soda brand worldwide.
This soda flavor goes well with other fruits or drinks to create new combinations (Photo source: 7Up)
Sprite
Sprite, a leading lemon-lime soda, enjoys robust global sales, particularly strong in regions such as Asia and Africa. Owned and manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company, Sprite was first introduced in 1961 as a direct competitor to 7UP.
The brand quickly gained popularity due to its refreshed flavor and effective marketing campaigns. Over the decades, Sprite has expanded its product line to include a variety of flavors and formulations, catering to a wide range of consumer tastes.
Popular variants include Sprite Zero Sugar, which offers the classic taste without the calories, as well as Sprite Cranberry and Sprite Tropical Mix, which provide refreshing twists on the original.
Sprite, a significant rival to the 7UP brand (Photo source: FOOD&WINE)
The brand also frequently introduces limited-edition flavors and seasonal offerings to keep the product lineup dynamic and engaging. This diverse range of options, coupled with Sprite’s strong brand recognition and global distribution, ensures its continued success and popularity worldwide.
Fanta
Fanta, one of the world’s most recognized fruit-flavored sodas, enjoys extensive global sales, being available in over 190 countries.
It is owned and manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company, which has effectively leveraged its international distribution network to make Fanta a household name. The brand’s origin dates back to World War II in Germany, where it was created due to ingredient shortages that made it difficult to produce Coca-Cola. Using available resources, the formula for Fanta was developed, and its popularity quickly grew.
Today, Fanta is celebrated for its vibrant and diverse range of flavors, catering to a variety of tastes across different markets. The most popular variant is Fanta Orange, but the brand also offers flavors such as Fanta Grape, Fanta Pineapple, and Fanta Strawberry. Additionally, regional and seasonal flavors are frequently introduced, keeping the brand fresh and exciting for consumers worldwide. This extensive variety, combined with strategic marketing, ensures Fanta’s enduring popularity and market presence.
Fanta Orange, this brand’s typical product line (Photo source: Fanta)
Tropicana
Tropicana, a leading brand in the fruit juice market, enjoys strong global sales, particularly prominent in North America and Europe.
Owned and manufactured by PepsiCo, Tropicana has established itself as a staple in households worldwide. The brand was founded in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi, an Italian immigrant who started the company in Florida. Its products focusing on fresh, high-quality orange juice.
Tropicana became synonymous with premium juice, pioneering the concept of not-from-concentrate juice to preserve the natural flavor and nutritional value. Over the years, Tropicana has expanded its product line to include a wide variety of flavors and formulations, catering to diverse consumer preferences.
In addition to classic orange juice, the brand offers options like grapefruit, apple, and tropical blends such as pineapple, mango and watermelon. Tropicana also provides low-calorie and fortified versions, ensuring a broad appeal. This extensive range, combined with a reputation for quality, maintains Tropicana’s strong market position globally.
Tropicana is well-known for their superior orange juice
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper, a unique and enduring soft drink, enjoys significant global sales and being the second highest-selling carbonated soft drink in the United States.
It is owned and manufactured by Keurig Dr Pepper in the United States and by various other companies under licensing agreements internationally.
Dr Pepper was created in the 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, USA. Known for its distinctive blend of 23 flavors, Dr Pepper has carved out a unique niche in the beverage market.
Dr Pepper is a popular beverage brand in the U.S
Over the years, the brand has expanded its lineup to include various formulations and flavors, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences. Popular variants include Diet Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper Cherry, and Dr Pepper & Cream Soda, each offering a unique twist on the original formula. This diverse range and the brand’s rich heritage contribute to Dr Pepper’s enduring popularity and strong market presence worldwide.
Pepsi Zero Sugar
Pepsi Zero Sugar, or Pepsi Max in some markets, is a popular zero-calorie soda in North America and Europe.
Manufactured by PepsiCo, this product was introduced in 1993 as a sugar-free alternative to classic Pepsi, catering to consumers seeking a healthier option without sacrificing flavor. Pepsi Zero Sugar differentiates itself with a bold taste profile, achieved through a combination of artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium.
Across the decades, the brand has expanded its product line to include various flavors, such as Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry and limited-edition variants like Pepsi Zero Sugar Mango, offering refreshing twists on the original formula. The successful combination of zero calories and full flavor, supported by strategic marketing campaigns and widespread availability, has solidified Pepsi Zero Sugar’s position as a leading choice for health-conscious soda drinkers worldwide.
Pepsi Zero Sugars captures the health-conscious customer base. (Photo source: Bloomberg Finance LP)
Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew, a citrus-flavored carbonated soft drink, is produced and owned by PepsiCo.
Created in 1940 by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman, Bill Bridgforth later revised the formula in 1958. PepsiCo acquired the brand in 1964, expanding its distribution across the United States and Canada. Mountain Dew has since become a global phenomenon, representing a significant share of the carbonated soft drink market.
Known for its vibrant and bold flavors, the brand offers a variety of flavours, including Diet Mountain Dew, Code Red, Baja Blast, and Voltage. These diverse offerings cater to a wide range of consumer preferences, contributing to its enduring popularity and strong market presence.
Pepsico’s well-known brand, Mountain Dew. (Photo source: NYpost)
Is Dr Pepper more popular than Pepsi?
After years of slowly gaining market share, Dr Pepper overtook Pepsi as the number two soda brand in the USA in 2023, according to market share data from Beverage Digest, a trade publication.
In the US, Dr Pepper has surpassed Pepsi in the soda market
Coca Cola remains the leader by a comfortable margin. Last year, Beverage Digest’s data shows that it captured 19.2% of the soda market in the United States by volume, the following were Dr Pepper had 8,34 and Peppsi had 8,31.
To explain this, Dr Pepper has spent a lot of time developing new drink flavors and creating products that are in line with current youth trends. For example, the brand has introduced trendy limited-time flavors like Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut, which was inspired by TikTok’s dirty soda trend (mixing soda with milk, cream, and other flavors).
Pepsi, on the other hand, may have been too focused on its other brands. Unlike Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper, Pepsico has a massive food business — its sprawling portfolio includes Quaker, Frito-Lay and more.
Conclusion
The market for carbonated beverages has grown steadily over the past 100 years, and a growing number of well-known brands have emerged as a result of copying and learning from earlier brands rather than creating their own. Tan Do can assist you in turning soda into a successful product for your company.
If you want to learn more about how our OEM/ODM beverage manufacturing services can help you realize your vision, contact us today. Our goal is to supply beverage companies with recipes that are innovative, of excellent quality, and that push the boundaries of current trends. TanDo’s products have received important certifications in both domestic and international markets, including ISO, HACCP, HALAL, and FDA.
