NuGrape facts for kids
NuGrape is a tasty grape-flavored soda pop. It has been a popular drink for many years. This sweet soda was first created over a century ago.
The Sweet History of NuGrape
The idea for NuGrape came about in 1906. The first bottles of NuGrape soda were sold in 1921. By 1933, The National NuGrape Company was officially started. This company was based in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1922, another company in Olla, Louisiana, got permission to make NuGrape. They produced and sold the soda for many years.
The National NuGrape Company also introduced other popular drinks. The Sun Crest soda brand came out in 1938. Later, in 1965, they launched Kickapoo Joy Juice. This drink was inspired by the famous Li'l Abner comic strip.
In 1968, The Moxie Company bought all three brands: NuGrape, Sun Crest, and Kickapoo Joy Juice. This company later became known as Monarch Beverage Company. Kickapoo Joy Juice stopped being sold in the United States in 1970.
In 1999, NuGrape and another soda brand called Nesbitt's were bought by Big Red, Ltd. This company is based in Waco, Texas. The original National NuGrape building still stands in Atlanta. However, it is not open for public visits.
Where Can You Find NuGrape Today?
Today, NuGrape soda is mostly found in the southeastern United States. You can often buy it in parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It's also sold in northwest Alabama and the eastern half of Tennessee. It can be quite hard to find NuGrape west or north of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
However, some companies still bottle NuGrape in other areas. The Ale-8-One Bottling Company makes it in central Kentucky. Orca Beverage Company bottles it in the Pacific Northwest.
You can usually find NuGrape in special candy stores. Many independent grocery stores also sell it. It comes in bottles, both glass and plastic, and in cans. In recent years, Cracker Barrel restaurants have started selling NuGrape. You can buy single bottles or six-packs there. It is also available at World Market stores.
