Buzz
7 Up has captivated fans for decades with its zesty flavor and effervescence, yet many may be unaware of its origins as a medicinal, lithium-infused remedy for hangovers, initially marketed as 'the Uncola.'
1. Orange Crush’s Success Paved the Way.
In 1920, Charles Leiper Grigg launched his beverage company in St. Louis with a focus on an orange-flavored drink named Howdy. While Howdy gained popularity, competition from Orange Crush, which contained real orange juice and was endorsed by doctors for its vitamin C content, forced Grigg to rethink his strategy. As Tristan Donovan notes in Fizz: How Soda Shook Up the World, this shift led Grigg to develop a new product to keep his company afloat.
2. Perfecting the Formula Required Effort.
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In 1927, recognizing Orange Crush's dominance, Grigg shifted focus to developing a lemon-lime soda to diversify his offerings. After two years of experimentation and 11 different recipes, he perfected a refreshing, bubbly drink ready for the market. The Howdy Corporation began distributing this new beverage in October 1929.
3. The Initial Name Lacked Appeal.
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“Howdy” is a catchy and straightforward name for a soda, but its lack of sales likely prompted Grigg to choose the cumbersome title “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda” for his new product. Launching into a saturated market with over 600 lemon-lime soft drinks available, Grigg’s creation entered at a premium price just weeks before the 1929 stock market crash.
4. Grigg’s Beverage Had a Hidden Advantage.
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While “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda” had an unwieldy name, it boasted a unique ingredient: lithium citrate. At the time, lithium was believed to have mood-enhancing and health-boosting properties, though it’s now primarily used as a treatment for bipolar disorder. Early marketing highlighted these potential benefits, but lithium was removed from the formula in the late 1940s following government regulations.
5. The Original Formula Wasn’t Transparent.
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Even the most loyal 7 Up fans might not recognize Grigg’s original creation. Beyond its cumbersome name and mood-altering ingredients, Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda was initially caramel-colored. Over time, both the lithium and the caramel coloring were removed. Grigg also wisely shortened the name to 7 Up shortly after its debut. By 1936, the drink’s popularity led the Howdy Corporation to rebrand as the Seven-Up Company.
6. The Origin of the 7 Up Name Remains a Mystery.
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The true inspiration behind the name 7 Up is unknown, but numerous theories abound. In Fizz, Donovan lists possibilities such as Grigg being inspired by a cattle brand, borrowing from card or dice game slang, or referencing the drink’s seven original ingredients. Becky Mercuri, in The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink, suggests the name might have been influenced by a popular soda called Bubble Up. Other ideas include the drink being sold in seven-ounce bottles or the phrase “bottoms up” being trendy at the time. Even Snopes hasn’t been able to confirm the name’s origins.
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As Grigg entered the competitive lemon-lime soda market, he discovered a strong demand for his new beverage in speakeasies. During Prohibition, the harsh taste of bootleg liquor made 7 Up a popular mixer. After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Grigg capitalized on this by actively promoting 7 Up as an ideal cocktail ingredient.
8. 7 Up Ads Promoted It as a Remedy for Hangovers.
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While drinkers appreciated 7 Up’s ability to “tame liquor,” the company also marketed it as a solution for hangovers. Early advertisements claimed the soda could alleviate “morning after toxicity,” with slogans like “Dispels hangovers...takes the ‘ouch of grouch’” and endorsements for “Hospital or home use.”
9. The Spot Mascot Gained a Massive Fanbase.
The Spot mascot debuted in 1987, bringing a cool, anthropomorphic version of the red dot from the 7 Up logo to life. Known as Cool Spot, his sunglasses alone made his coolness undeniable. He became a beloved figure in soda culture, starring in 7 Up’s ads throughout the late 1980s and 1990s and even headlining video games like 1990’s Spot, 1993’s Cool Spot, and 1995’s Spot Goes to Hollywood.
10. 7 Up Almost Had Its Own Ford Mustang Edition.
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In 1989, 7 Up partnered with Ford for a unique marketing campaign. According to Mustang 360, Ford planned to produce a limited run of 1990 Mustang convertibles with emerald green bodies and white tops for 7 Up. Fans could win one by making a half-court shot during the 1990 NCAA basketball tournament. Though the promotion was canceled, Ford sold the 4,103 cars made for it, now known as “7 Up Mustangs,” adding a quirky chapter to the iconic car’s legacy.
11. It’s as Versatile in Cooking as It Is in Mixing Drinks.
Jerry "Woody", Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
While it might not seem like a traditional kitchen staple, creative chefs have discovered numerous ways to incorporate 7 Up into recipes. From 7 Up biscuits and 7 Up pound cake to 7 Up Jello salad and 7 Up shrimp, these dishes may not cure hangovers or boost moods, but they certainly look delicious.
