American Drinks

What Makes American Sodas Different From British Fizzy Drinks?

American sodas pack a punch that British soft drinks often don't. They're sweeter, bolder, and sometimes downright quirky. Take Mountain Dew – it started as a mixer for whiskey in Tennessee and became a neon-green energy burst in a bottle. Or Dr Pepper, with its 23 flavours that no one can quite pin down. These drinks don't whisper; they shout.

The sweetness comes from corn syrup rather than cane sugar, giving American sodas that thick, syrupy feel on your tongue. And the flavours? They're turned up to eleven. Cherry Coke isn't just cola with a hint of fruit – it's a cherry explosion. Vanilla Coke tastes like someone melted ice cream into your fizzy drink.

Why Do Americans Love Root Beer So Much?

Root beer is America's rebel drink. During Prohibition, when alcohol was banned, pharmacists started brewing this sassafras-based soda as a 'healthy' drink. It caught on like wildfire. Today, brands like A&W and Mug continue the tradition, although the recipe has evolved over the years.

The taste throws most Brits for a loop. That medicinal, wintergreen flavour comes from sassafras root (or artificial flavouring these days). Americans grow up with it, turning root beer floats – vanilla ice cream dropped into a glass of root beer – into a rite of passage for childhood. We stock several brands, so you can find your favourite or try them all to see what the fuss is about.

Which American Drink Brands Should You Try First?

Start with the classics. Coca-Cola might seem obvious, but American Coke tastes different from UK Coke due to the corn syrup we mentioned. Then branch out to regional favourites like Big Red, a bright red cream soda from Texas that tastes like bubblegum met strawberry at a party.

For something gentler, try Arizona Iced Tea. These tall cans come in flavours like green tea with honey or much mango. They're less fizzy, more refreshing – perfect for UK summers when you want something sweet but not too heavy. And if you're feeling brave? Grab a bottle of Jones Soda in flavours like blue bubblegum or green apple. They're wild, they're weird, and they're wonderfully American.

How Do American Energy Drinks Compare to Those in the UK?

American energy drinks don't mess about. Monster Energy started in California and now comes in flavours that sound like video game power-ups – Ultra Paradise, Pipeline Punch, Mango Loco. They're not just about caffeine; they're about attitude. The cans are bigger, the flavours are bolder, and the marketing screams extreme sports.

Then there's 5-hour Energy – those tiny bottles at American petrol stations that promise hours of alertness without the sugar crash. Or Rockstar, which mixes energy drink culture with music scene credibility. These drinks embody the American go-big-or-go-home mentality. We keep plenty in stock because once you try them, Red Bull might seem a bit tame.

The Story Behind American Lemonade

American lemonade confuses Brits, and for good reason. In the UK, lemonade typically refers to a fizzy, clear beverage. In America, it's still cloudy, and tastes like someone squeezed actual lemons into your glass – because they did. Brands like Simply Lemonade and Minute Maid keep it simple: lemon juice, water, sugar. That's it.

Pink lemonade adds another layer to the story. Legend has it that it was invented when a circus vendor accidentally dropped red cinnamon candies into a batch of regular lemonade. True or not, the pink version became an American summer staple. Some brands add strawberry or raspberry for flavour, others just use food colouring. Either way, it's sweeter than regular lemonade and twice as fun.

Where Can You Find Rare American Drinks in the UK?

Right here at Sweets and Candy, we've spent years building relationships with suppliers to bring you drinks that most UK shops won't touch. We're talking regional sodas like Cheerwine from North Carolina or Faygo from Detroit. These aren't just drinks; they're local legends with cult followings back in the States.

We also stock seasonal drinks that Americans go crazy for – like pumpkin spice sodas in autumn or candy cane-flavoured drinks at Christmas. And because we know you might want to try before committing to a whole case, we offer single bottles and cans alongside multipacks. That way, you can taste-test your way through American drink culture without breaking the bank.

American drinks capture the spirit of a country that believes bigger is better and sweeter is sweeter. From the medicinal tang of root beer to the fruit punch explosion of Hawaiian Punch, these beverages tell stories of innovation, regional pride, and a refusal to do things by halves. Ready to take your taste buds on a trip across the Atlantic? Browse our American drinks section and start your fizzy adventure today.