The Evolution of Mug Root Beer: A Time-Honored Legacy

Mug Root Beer, a beloved classic among soda aficionados, traces its origins back to 1885 when it was first introduced as Dr. Swett's by the Belfast Beverage Company of San Francisco, California. The Belfast Beverage Company, renowned for its sparkling water and ginger ale since 1877, underwent a series of transformations over the decades.

In 1947, the beverage underwent a name change to Belfast Root Beer, reflecting the company's dedication to its root beer recipe. The pivotal year of 1925 saw the acquisition of Belfast Beverage Company by the New Century Beverage Company, co-founded by local entrepreneur Angelo Campodonico. Under Campodonico's leadership, the soda manufacturing plant relocated to a sprawling facility at 820 Pacific St. in Chinatown in 1927, heralding a period of rapid expansion and innovation.

By 1955, the root beer was rebranded as Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer, later simplifying to Mug Old Fashioned Root Beer, and ultimately adopting its iconic name, Mug Root Beer. Throughout the 1970s, Mug Root Beer garnered attention for its "true draft taste" through a memorable radio commercial campaign on KFRC.

In a move reflecting changing dietary preferences, the late 1960s witnessed the launch of Sugar Free Mug (now known as Diet Mug Root Beer). Subsequently, Mug Cream Soda and Diet Mug Cream Soda were introduced, although their availability remains more limited.

The Campodonico family remained integral to the operations of New Century Beverage Company until Pepsi-Cola Company acquired the brand in 1986. Pepsi's stewardship injected new energy into Mug Root Beer. In the early 2000s, Pepsi undertook a comprehensive redesign and relaunch of the brand, aiming to infuse it with "personality." After experimenting with various packaging designs, they settled on the distinctive image of a rugged bulldog, symbolizing Mug's robust flavor and heritage.

Despite the brand's evolution, the production of Mug Root Beer retained its ties to San Francisco, operating from a factory at 17th Street and Valencia Street in the Mission district until the early 1990s.

Today, the Mug brand boasts a lineup of four distinct products: Mug Root Beer, Diet Mug Root Beer, Mug Cream Soda, and Diet Mug Cream Soda. These offerings continue to captivate consumers with their timeless taste and enduring legacy, reminding us of the rich history and tradition behind every satisfying sip of Mug Root Beer.
The Evolution of Mug Root Beer: A Time-Honored Legacy

Caleb Bradham and Pepsi-Cola

Caleb Davis Bradham was born in Chinquapin, North Carolina, on May 27, 1867. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Bradham attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine in hopes of becoming a doctor. He dropped out of medical school because his father‘s business was going bankrupt.

After returning to North Carolina, Bradham taught public school for about a year, and later opened a drug store on the corner of Middle and Pollock Streets in downtown New Bern. He named the store ―Bradham Drug Company‖ and, like many other drug stores of the time, housed a soda fountain.

Caleb Bradham knew that to keep people returning to his pharmacy, he would have to turn it into a gathering place. He did so by concocting his own special beverage, a soft drink.

In 1893, “Brad’s Drink,” made from a mix of sugar, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other natural additives, be overnight sensation. On August 28, 1898 , "Brad's drink" was changed to "Pepsi-Cola" and later trademarked on June 16, 1903. Caleb Bradham bought the name "Pep Kola" from a local competitor and changed it to Pepsi-Cola.

At first, he mixed the syrup himself and sold it exclusively through soda fountains. But soon Caleb recognized that a greater opportunity existed to bottle Pepsi so that people could drink it anywhere.

In 1903, Bradham moved the bottling of Pepsi-Cola from his drugstore to a rented warehouse. That year, Bradham sold 7,968 gallons of syrup. The next year, Pepsi was sold in six-ounce bottles, and sales increased to 19,848 gallons.

In late 1902, the Pepsi-Cola Company was formed due to the rising popularity and demand for the Pepsi-Cola Syrup with none other than Caleb Bradham as the first president.

After the WWI ended sugar prices soared from 3 cents to 28 cents per pound. Bradham purchased a large quantity of the high-priced sugar, which would be a factor to the company's downfall. Pepsi Cola went bankrupt in 1923. In 1931, the Loft Candy Company Loft president, Charles G. Guth who reformulated the popular soft drink, bought Pepsi Cola.
Caleb Bradham and Pepsi-Cola

Early history of Pepsi-Cola advertising

The Pepsi recipe was developed by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in the 1890s. Originally marketed under the unassuming name “Brad’s Drink,” Bradham’s creation was renamed Pepsi-Cola in 1898 due to the pepsin and kola nut ingredients used.

The first known Pepsi-Cola newspaper advertisement appeared in 1902. The ad proclaimed the health benefits of Pepsi-Cola. That same year, the Pepsi-Cola script was used in a newspaper ad for the first time. Caleb Bradham, the creator of Pepsi, was advertising Pepsi through newspapers since he had renamed it Pepsi-Cola.

In 1908, famous racecar driver, Barney Oldfield became the first celebrity endorser for Pepsi-Cola.

The company was one of the first in the United States to switch from horse-drawn transport to motor vehicles, and a 1913 editorial in the Greensboro Patriot praised Caleb Bradham for his “keen and energetic business sense.”

In 1934, the company moved to a new headquarters in Long Island City, New York, and four years later Walter S. Mack was selected to be the new president of Pepsi-Cola. Mack believed that advertising could be a cornerstone of soft drink marketing and introduced a comic strip, “Pepsi & Pete,” to promote Pepsi’s pricing advantage with the line “Twice as Much for a Nickel.”

During the 1950s, Pepsi evolved from thelow cost price leader to a more lifestyle drink approach. For example, as Americans became more health conscious, Pepsi introduced slogans such as “The Light Refreshment” and “Refreshing Without Filling.” Other new advertising campaigns included slogans such as “Be Sociable, Have a Pepsi” and “Now Its Pepsi, For Those Who Think Young” to concentrate on a younger market.
Early history of Pepsi-Cola advertising

The invention of Pepsi Cola

North Carolina native Caleb Bradham created Pepsi in 1898 although it wasn’t originally called Pepsi. 

Cola-flavored beverages already existed – among them Coca-Cola – but Bradham wanted to develop his own formula omitting caffeine and cocaine.

Caleb Bradham, a New Bern, North Carolina pharmacist and drugstore owner, wiled away the summer of 1898 experimenting with various combinations of spices, syrups and juices in search a refreshing soft drink to serve parched customers. He named it after himself and called it ‘Brad’s Drink’.

He called to James Henry King, a young African American who worked in the drugstore. Caleb Bradham poured a sample of his mixture into a beaker and gave it to his assistant to taste it.

When he saw his assistant’s face light up upon tasting it, Caleb knew he had created a winner. He later renamed it Pepsi Cola after its two main ingredients pepsin and the cola nut.

The name of Pepsi also could be from the Greek word ‘pepse’ which means to digest, as Bradham promoted the soft drink as a cure for dyspepsia. Bradham believed that his drink aided digestion similar to the way the pepsin enzyme does.

According to a document signed by Bradham, his formula for the Pepsi-Cola consisted of sugar, water, caramel, lime juice, phosphoric acid, alcohol, and oils (lemon, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander and petit grain).

One of the reasons for Pepsi Cola’s popularity, besides the good taste, was that it was pure. Unlike many of the other popular drinks of the day, Pepsi did not contain any harmful ingredients.
The invention of Pepsi Cola