Caleb Bradham names Pepsi-Cola (1898)

Caleb Bradham, an American pharmacist, renamed his soft drink Pepsi-Cola in New Bern, North Carolina, on August 28, 1898. Originally known as Brad's Drink, the beverage was marketed for digestive benefits, with the name derived from dyspepsia and cola.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Caleb Bradham opened a drug store in New Bern named the Bradham Drug Company, which housed a soda fountain. In 1893, he invented a recipe blending kola nut extract, vanilla, and rare oils, initially called Brad's Drink. This drink was sold at his drugstore in New Bern, North Carolina.

Naming. On August 28, 1898, Bradham renamed his drink Pepsi-Cola. He derived the name from a combination of dyspepsia and cola, intending to market the drink as having digestive benefits. The renaming was also attributed to the formula's inclusion of essence of pepsin.

Location. New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, located at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The renaming occurred in downtown New Bern, specifically at Middle Street and Pollock Street, where Bradham's drug store was situated.

People involved

Sources

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