7UP is an American brand of a lemon-lime-flavored non-caffeinated soft drink.
After 10 years of working in the soft drink industry, Charles Leiper Grigg created “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda” in 1929. This name was quickly shortened to 7UP Lithiated Lemon Soda since it was deemed to be too long. The name was even more shortened in 1950 to become 7UP, which is still in use today.
Lithium citrate is a mood-improving drug of the time, that was used in a lot of other treatments. Lithium used to be a component of the original formulation. For many years, it has been used to treat depression. For this effect, people frequently traveled to lithium-containing springs like Lithia Springs in Georgia, Ashland and Oregon. Up until 1948, the soft drink contained lithium.
There is a myth that the drink’s name, 7UP, originates from its pH level, which is believed to be higher than 7, making it neutral on the scale of acidity. This is not the case, because the pH of 7 Up is near to 3.79. This means it is similarly acidic to other drinks of this type.
Although Britvic, an English soft drink company, claims that the name originates from the beverage’s seven major components, some have claimed that the number was a coded reference to the lithium that was in the original mix. Additionally, according to Britvic, the name came from the fact that 7UP was sold in 7-ounce bottles. Because Coca-Cola and the majority of other soft drinks came in 6-ounce bottles, it was unique. According to Britvic, the “UP” in 7UP comes from the bottoms up, or better known as “Cheers!”
In addition to being frequently enjoyed cold with ice, 7UP is also well recognized for being a mixer for alcoholic lemon-lime soda drinks. The Seven and Seven, which includes 7UP, Seagram’s whiskey, and a garnish such a lemon or lime, is the most well-known variation.
