Texas has a rich history of soft drinks. Dr. Pepper was invented here. Big Red is well-loved. Even RC has a rich heritage in the state.

Soda intake has declined by 30% in the last five years. People are becoming more aware of the health effect of carbonated drinks and conditions like diabetes and obesity.

Even so, the average American drinks 39.6 gallons of soda every year. That sounds like a lot. It breaks down to 480 cans a year.

According to statistics from the Beverage Marketing Corporation, Texas ranks 18th in per capita carbonated beverage consumption among all US states. In 2019 the per capita consumption of carbonated soft drinks in Texas was 157.5 8-ounce servings per person, slightly lower than the national average.

So what is the most popular soft drink in each state? Eat This, Not That! Cranked out a list based on Google Trends searches for "Soft Drinks" in each state. The #1 carbonated beverage in Texas surprised me.

It is not Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi, or Root Beer.

Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Cream soda is Texas's number one carbonated beverage via Google Trend searches. This is probably because, even though Big Red is not marketed as a cream soda, it is often categorized as such due to its creamy flavor and similarities to other cream soda brands.

When it comes to sales, Dr. Pepper is number one in Texas. The ironic thing about Dr. Pepper and Big Red is that both were invented in Texas. Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas, by pharmacist Charles Alderton in 1885. Store owner Wade Morrison decided to sell the drink and named it after a mentor, Dr. Pepper.

Big Red was also invented in Waco in 1937 by grocer R.H. Roark.

Before ending our discussion of carbonated beverages in Texas, it is important to note, with rodeo season upon us, that the number one carbonated drink of cowboys in the state is Root Beer. This cannot be positively confirmed, but root beer made with real sarsaparilla was widely available in the Old West.

If you watch old western movies, the cowboys drank root beer. They also drank much coffee, tea, beer, and whiskey. Root beer is still popular among cowboys today. You don't have to take our word for it; find one at the San Angelo rodeo and ask them yourself.

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