Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with softdrink

Cherry cola in Toronto?

sarahkeebs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:21:08 -0800

Where can I get Cherry Cola in Toronto? I'm not particular as to brand, and I'd prefer to take it home but if necessary will go to a diner or something that serves it. Alternatively, can I make it?

What is the most popular soft drink?

roofus — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:38:05 -0800

What is the most popular carbonated soft drink in the US or UK? Google-fu has failed me. I think it's Diet Coke, but I can't seem to find a credible citation.

Irn-Bru makes me sleepy. Any idea why?

dcbarker — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:07:03 -0800

Irn-Bru makes me sleepy. Any idea why? I'm Scottish and like many other Scots, I was raised on Irn-Bru. If you're not familiar with it, it's a bright orange carbonated drink produced in Scotland since 1901. It outsells every other carbonated drink in many areas of Scotland and is the third most popular soft-drink in the UK.

The problem is... I've started to notice over the last 2 or so years that about 20 minutes after drinking it I get very drowsy, often to the point of falling asleep. I wake up later feeling drained and exhausted.

This never used to happen, and doesn't happen with any other soft-drink. I prefer Diet Irn-Bru (the sugar free variety) but this seems to happen with both diet and regular. I've asked many friends but can't find anyone else affected in this way.

Actually, nothing I drink or eat does this to me at all. Only Irn-Bru. And the effect is so strong, I usually just slump over on my bed and snooze for a while. It's not a normal sleep. It's a drowsy, drained and sluggish sleep. It's kinda horrible actually and leaves me feeling pretty crap.

I don't drink it as much as I used to because of this, but I really like it. I'd like to be able to drink it more often. The question isn't "how do I stop the happening?" (the obvious answer to that is to stop drinking it). I just want to know why it happens in the first place.

Does anyone have any insight into why this might be happening? Bonus points of a definitive answer!

Thanks MeFites! :)

Kvas recipe?

vizsla — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:51:02 -0800

Does anyone know a good (but fairly simple) recipe for Kvas, the delicious Russian soft drink made from bread? I tried some the other day and I'm addicted. I'm drinking gallons of it.

Sugar-cane Coca Cola in NYC?

gentle — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 19:05:46 -0800

Where can I buy sugar-cane Coca Cola (or comparable colas) in New York City? I went to Italy last year and was able to enjoy Coke sweetened with sugar cane instead of the awful high-fructose corn syrup glop, and I have been dreaming about the stuff every since. Apparently the sugar-cane-sweetened Coke is still produced in Mexico; but at this point I am not willing to travel that far just to get a soft drink. (I would, however, be willing to travel a few hours from NYC, if required.)

I also hear that a kosher cane-sweetened version of Coke is produced for Passover, and intend to stock up when that time of the year comes around. I suppose it won't be hard to find in this city, but if anyone knows of a particularly good place to buy it, I would like to know.

I have encountered various esoteric cola brands in stores here. They tend to be on the expensive side, and taste more like cola and less like Coke. One product in particular, Boylan Sugar Cane Cola, tastes like root beer, ie. minty mouthwash, and should not be mentioned.

Friends also tell me that RC Cola is made with sugar cane and is an excellent substitute, but I have not been able to find it anywhere here. Friends have not been able to tell me where I could buy the stuff, however.

This Slashfood post talks about a WSJ article about how Mexican Coca Cola is being imported and sold in various places in the US. Their link is broken, however, and I have not been able to find the article online. Have anyone found this stuff in New York?

In New York, why do I always get a straw when I buy a soda?

o2b — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 11:13:19 -0800

After living in New York for 5 years, I'm finally moved to ask this question: Why, when I buy a can or bottle of soda, do I invariably get a straw with it? [bubbles inside] My confusion lies in the fact that whenever I try to use the straw, the carbonation invariably goes nuts, so I end up with a mouthful of foam.

Is this the desired experience? Am I missing a technique taught early to native New Yorkers?