New Bern, NC Exit 98: In 1893, Caleb Davis Bradham opened a drugstore and soda fountain , where he served his own cola concoction called Brad’s Drink.
“Brad’s Drink,” made from a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other natural additives, became an overnight sensation. If Brad’s drink doesn’t ring a bell, maybe you’ll recognize it by the name that we use today: Pepsi.
In 1898, Bradham changed the name to Pepsi-Cola. He believed the drink was more than a refreshment but a “healthy” cola, aiding in digestion, getting its roots from the word dyspepsia, meaning indigestion. (Despite its name and hearsay, pepsin was never an ingredient of Pepsi-Cola).
In 1998, The Birthplace of Pepsi Store opened to share Caleb Davis Bradham’s story, his legacy, and his cola with the world.
Location: The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola:
256 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Open: Mon – Sat 10 – 6pm, Sun noon – 4pm.
Tel: 252-636-5898
www.pepsistore.com/