Did you know that Pepsi, Cheerwine and Sun Drop all have roots in North Carolina? Scroll through the slideshow to learn the fascinating history behind each popular North Carolina drink.

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Cheerwine

North Carolina drinks; Cheerwine
Photo credit: Todd Bennett

Cheerwine has roots in Salisbury, where L.D. Peeler created the beverage in 1917 after a salesman from St. Louis sold him a wild cherry flavor that helped him develop the perfect recipe for his soft drink. The Carolina Beverage Corporation and Cheerwine Bottling Co. still produce the beverage, and Cheerwine has become the country’s oldest family-owned soft drink still in business today.

See more: Cheerwine Goes to the White House

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  • Alicia Markov-Newan

    I do so enjoy this little magazine with big ideas!

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North Carolina Field & Family Spring 2026
Flip through the pages of the Spring 2026 edition of North Carolina Field and Family magazine. In this issue, impress your guests with creative yet easy spring holiday recipes, learn how farmers face challenges planning the future of their farmland, meet some North Carolina beef producers raising the steaks, start your engines with eight reasons to visit Richmond County, get crabby with Sheri Castle’s Deviled Crab recipe and much more.

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