7 Up
54566
226164725
2008-07-17T03:03:01Z
76.199.100.103
/* Name origin */
{{other}}
{{Infobox Beverage
|name=7 Up
|image=<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:7upLogo.jpg|7 Up Can|250px]] -->
|type=[[Lemon-lime soda]]
|manufacturer=[[Dr Pepper Snapple Group]] (U.S.), [[PepsiCo]] (elsewhere)
|origin=United States
|introduced=1929 (as '''Lithiated Lemon''')
|discontinued=
|related= [[Dr Pepper]], [[Sprite (soft drink)|Sprite]], [[Sierra Mist]]
|variants=[[dnL]], [[7 Up Plus]]
}}
'''7 Up''' is a brand of a [[lemon]]-[[Lime (fruit)|lime]] flavored non-caffeinated [[soft drink]]. The rights to the brand are held by [[Dr Pepper Snapple Group]] in the [[United States]], and [[PepsiCo]] (or its licensees) in the rest of the world. The ''7 Up'' logo includes a red spot between the '7' and 'Up', this red spot has been animated and used as a [[mascot]] for the brand.
==Name origin==
One popular myth is that its creator named the soft drink after seeing a cattle brand with the number ''7'' and the letter ''U''.<ref name="dpsuhist">"[http://www.brandspeoplelove.com/csab/?TabId=148 7 UP: The Making of a Legend]". ''Cadbury Schweppes: America's Beverages''.</ref> Other theories suggest that the drink was formulated with seven flavors plus the bubbles from the drink's carbonation (the bubbles go up). Other ideas include the original bottle contained seven ounces; its creator came up with the name while playing dice; that it was the 7th large commercial lemonade brand that tasted the same. Another rumor has it that the name was created because the company had previously failed six times, hence the name "7 Up".<ref name="dpsuhist" /> Before the formula change in 2006, a can of 7 Up included seven ingredients. The "Up" in the drink's name might refer to the original inclusion of [[lithium citrate]], when it was marketed as a [[patent medicine]] to cure hangovers.
Some people mistakenly believe that the name 7 Up comes from the belief that its [[pH]] is 7.0 and therefore neutral. This is not the case at all: the pH of 7 Up is comparable to many other soft drinks. At a pH of 3.67,<ref>"[http://www.21stcenturydental.com/smith/pH_drinks.htm Drinks That Eat Teeth]." ''21st century Dental''.</ref> Diet 7 Up is less acidic than [[lemon]] juice (pH 2.3), [[vinegar]] (pH 2.9) or [[wine]] (pH 3.5).<ref>"[http://encarta.msn.com/media_461534810/pH_Scale_Some_Common_Solutions.html pH Scale: Some Common Solutions]". ''MSN Encarta''.</ref>
Another possibility is that the drink is named after the card game [[Seven Up (solitaire)|Seven Up]]. <ref>"[http://books.google.ie/books?id=Qdw9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA157&lpg=PA157&dq=7up+brand+name+card+game&source=web&ots=cB0WeifrML&sig=liM9NH9rJFV9NmbWgT1nxVw_nCA&hl=en]". ''Dictionary of Trade Name Origins By Adrian Room''.</ref>
One myth regarding the red [[spot]] between ''7'' and ''Up'' is that the inventor of the drink was an [[albino]] with red eyes, and that the red spot represents his eye and the clear color represents his skin.
==History==
7 Up was created by [[Charles Leiper Grigg]] who launched his [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis-based]] company [[The Howdy Corporation]] in 1920.<ref name="dpsuhist" /> Grigg came up with the formula for a lemon-lime soft drink in 1929. The product, originally named "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda", was launched two weeks before the [[Wall Street Crash 1929|Wall Street Crash of 1929]].<ref name="dpsuhist" /> It contained [[lithium citrate]], a mood-stabilizing drug. It was one of a number of [[patent medicine]] products popular in the late-19th and early-20th centuries; they made claims similar to today's health foods. Specifically it was marketed as a [[hangover]] cure. The product's name was soon changed to 7 Up.<ref name="dpsuhist" />
The [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]] was just the beginning of the business challenges the product would face. In its early years, there were around 600 lemon-lime beverage brands being sold in the US.<ref name="dpsuhist" /> 7 Up was able to survive and become the market leader in the category by being one of the first to be nationally distributed as well as being marketed as more healthy than other soft drinks.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
The success of 7 Up led Grigg to rename his company to "The Seven Up Company" in [[1936]].<ref name="dpsuhist" />
Lithium citrate was removed from 7 Up's formula in [[1950]].
Expanding the brand beyond a [[niche market]], major competitors began to set their sights on it such as [[The Coca-Cola Company]] (Coke) with its [[Sprite (soft drink)|Sprite]] brand introduced in [[1961]]. Sprite would not challenge 7 Up's position seriously until the 1980s when Coke forced its major bottlers, then distributing 7 Up, to drop the beverage in deference to Sprite. 7 Up challenged Coke's actions in court as "anti-competitive", a challenge they eventually lost.<ref>[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=5th&navby=case&no=9510048cv0 Seven-Up Co. v. Coca-Cola Co.] No. 95-10048. United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.</ref>
==Formula==
7 Up has been reformulated several times since its launch in [[1929]]. In [[2006]], the version of the product sold in the U.S. was re-formulated so that it could be marketed as being "100% [[natural foods|Natural]]". This was achieved by eliminating the [[preservative]] calcium disodium [[EDTA]], and replacing [[sodium citrate]] with [[potassium citrate]] in order to reduce the beverage's sodium content. <ref>"[http://www.7up.com/7uptext/7upfaq.asp Frequently Asked Questions]." ''7up.com''.</ref> This re-formulation contains no [[juice|fruit juice]] and is still sweetened with [[high fructose corn syrup]] (HFCS). The manufacturing process used in the production of HFCS has led some [[public health]] and [[interest group|special interest groups]] to challenge the [[advertising campaign|ad campaign's]] "natural" claims.<ref>[[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] ([[May 11]], [[2006]]). ''[http://www.cspinet.org/new/200605111.html CSPI to sue Cadbury Schweppes over "All Natural" 7 Up].'' [[Press release]].</ref> In [[2007]], after the [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] threatened to sue 7 Up, it was announced that 7 Up would stop being marketed as "100% natural". Instead, It is now promoted as having "100% Natural Flavors". The controversy does not extend to other countries, such as the [[United Kingdom]], where high fructose corn syrup is not generally used in foods, including 7 Up.
==Variations==
{{Original research|date=November 2007}}
===Cherry 7 Up===
[[Cherry]] 7 Up flavor, with these ingredients listed: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, and 2% or less of each of the following: citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, [[potassium benzoate]] (preservative), [[red 40]].
One known ingredient that falls under the labels '''''natural''''' and artificial flavors is apple juice.
===Pomegranate 7 Up===
This flavor, introduced in 2007 for the Christmas season, is a [[pomegranate]]-flavored version.
Ingredients listed: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, and 2% or less of each of the following: citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, potassium benzoate (preservative), red 40 blue 1.
===Diet Cherry 7 Up===
[[Diet]] Cherry 7 Up has recently been re-introduced due to popular demand after having been missing due to the existence of 7 Up Plus Cherry flavor.<ref>"[http://asapblogs.typepad.com/theslug/2006/06/rejoice_diet_ch.html The Slug.com]." ''The Slug: Rejoice! Diet Cherry 7 Up to Return to Us!''.</ref> Ingredients are as follows:
Filtered carbonated water and contains 2% or less of each of the following: citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, potassium benzoate (protects flavor), aspartame, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, red 40.
[[Phenylketonuria|Phenylketonurics]]: Contains [[phenylalanine]].<ref>"[http://www.7up.com/7uptext/dietcherry7upnutrition.asp Diet Cherry 7 Up Nutritional Facts]". ''7up.com''.</ref>
===Diet 7 Up===
Diet 7 Up has also been reformulated recently where it was packaged and advertised as now made with Splenda sweetener (sucralose) but now the formula has been re-tooled and they are using the following Ingredients:
Filtered carbonated water and contains 2% or less of each of the following: natural flavors, citric acid, potassium citrate, potassium benzoate (protects flavor), aspartame, acesulfame potassium, calcium disodium EDTA (protects flavor).
Phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine.<ref>"[http://www.7up.com/7uptext/diet7upnutrition2.asp Diet 7 Up Nutritional Facts]". ''7up.com''.</ref> They also do still list the ingredients for Diet 7 Up with Splenda as the following Ingredients:
Filtered carbonated water and contains 2% or less of each of the following: natural flavors, citric acid, potassium citrate, potassium benzoate (protects flavor), calcium disodium EDTA (protects flavor), acesulfame potassium, sucralose.<ref>"[http://www.7up.com/7uptext/diet7upnutrition.asp Diet 7 Up with Splenda Nutritional Facts]". ''7up.com''.</ref> The 7 Up company claims they switched back to aspartame because they conducted a nation-wide study showing that people preferred the 'aspartame taste' over the taste of Splenda-brand Sweetener. 7 Up Plus is still sweetened with Splenda, and they announce no intention of switching it to aspartame.
===7 Up Plus===
7 Up Plus is a family of [[fruit]]-flavored [[soft drink]]s, part of the 7 Up family of beverages, and produced by [[Cadbury-Schweppes]]. Touted as a healthy alternative, it contains no [[caffeine]] and has only 2 carbs per serving, as well as 5% [[apple juice]], which is uncommon among American market carbonated beverages. It is sweetened with [[Splenda]], and the original flavor, Mixed Berry, was released in summer 2004. Two additional flavors have been added to the line, [[Cherry]] and Island Fruit. In [[Ireland]] in 2007, 7 Up launched a range of flavored water.
===7 Up Gold===
7 Up Gold was marketed for a short time in 1988 as a [[spice]]-flavored beverage, something like a Ginger Ale.<ref>"http://www.rateitall.com/i-34416-7up-gold.aspx"</ref>
Even though 7 Up's marketing slogan was "Never had it, never will" (referring to [[caffeine]]) 7 Up Gold did list [[caffeine]] as one of its ingredients. The 7 Up Gold recipe was actually an unused [[Dr Pepper]] invention.<ref>"[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE7DB153EF932A25751C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all 7-UP GOLD: THE FAILURE OF A CAN'T-LOSE PLAN]". ''New York Times''.</ref>
===7 Up Free===
7 Up Free is sold in the [[United Kingdom]], Ireland, Norway, [[Argentina]] and Iceland.<ref>"http://www.egils.is/is/vorur/gos/7up%5Ffree/"</ref> It contains no [[caffeine]], [[sugar]], [[food coloring|colorings]] or [[preservative]]s and is marketed as "Natural Lemon and Lime flavour" similar to the "100% natural" American version. It contains a combination of artificial sugars, and on the Norwegian market it is the only variety available. The lack of the usual light-label is confusing to Norwegian consumers, who often buy it not knowing they are buying a product with artificial sugars.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
===dnL===
{{main|dnL}}
[[dnL]] was the name of a [[soft drink]] produced by [[Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages]] in the [[United States]]. It was part of the 7 Up family of soft drinks, and was introduced in September [[2002]]. It was launched in the same year as other attempts to extend soft drink brand names with new iterations, including [[Pepsi Blue]], Dr Pepper [[Red Fusion]] and [[Vanilla Coke]]. It had arguably been poorly marketed, and, while it remained listed as an official product of the company in late 2005, it was scheduled to be discontinued for 2006 in favor of the "7 Up Plus" brand.<ref>[http://www.bevnet.com/news/2005/07-27-2005-7UP_cadbury_cassagne.asp BevNET.com - DNP for 7 Up's dnL<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The product's name came from the fact that the "dnL" [[logo]] is the "7 Up" logo turned upside-down. The product itself was also, in many ways, the polar opposite of 7 Up: while 7 Up is [[caffeine]]-free, colorless, and comes in a green bottle, dnL contained caffeine and was an unusual shade of green (vaguely similar to the green of 7 Up's bottle) in a clear bottle. And while 7 Up has a fairly standard lemon-lime flavor, the "citrus" flavor of dnL is harder to identify.
===Barbecue sauces and marinades===
In 2007, Cadbury Schweppes entered into a licensing partnership with [[Vita Food Products]] to produce a line of [[barbecue sauce]]s and [[marination|marinade]]s flavored with Dr Pepper, 7 Up and A&W Root Beer.<ref> [http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=PR&symbol=VSF&storyID=151461+07-May-2007+PRN&type=qcna] "Vita Foods and Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages Get Cooking With the Introduction..." [[Press release]]</ref>
==Slogans and advertising campaigns==
[[Image:Jordan 191 rain.png|thumb|right|7 Up briefly sponsored the [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]] [[Formula One]] team in their first year during the {{F1|1991}} season.]]
*The Fresh Up Family Drink (1952)
*The (Diet) Uncola. (1960s-1990s)
*Crisp refreshing 7 Up (1960s-1970s)
*It's 7 Up, it's Uncola (1975)
*Feelin' 7 Up (1980)
*Canada's turning 7 Up (1980) [[Canada]]
*The feeling of [[Christmas]]. (December 1980s)
*Put some Un in your life (diet). (early 1990s)
*On the spot. (early 1990s)
*Now that's refreshing. (1990s)
*It's an up thing. (1995)
*Make 7 Up Yours. (1999)
*Are you an Un? (Late 1990s-Early 2000s)
*Seven flavors in one drink. (2008)
*"Bheja fry .. 7 Up try" (2008)
*"It's way more better than cola, it's 7 Up(Secondary Slogan used with [[Richard Karn]] to promote summer 7 Up commercials)
In conjunction with the 1999 marketing slogan "Make 7 Up Yours," 7 Up distributed shirts that said "Make Seven" on the front and "Up Yours" on the back. Television and radio ads featured [[Orlando Jones]] walking down a street talking about 7 Up with people seemingly angry or shocked by the risqué phrase "up yours." The ads and slogan quickly became popular, and the campaign lasted until 2005.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
The [[television]] [[cartoon character]] [[Fido Dido]] was used as a [[mascot]] from the late [[1980s]] through the early [[1990s]], and was re-introduced in international markets in the early 2000s<ref>[http://www.bandt.com.au/news/c5/0c01c5c5.asp "Fido Dido returns as face of 7 Up"] at B&T,</ref>.
==Listen==
*[http://www.OldRadioFun.com/downloads/7up.mp3 1963 Radio Commercial]
==See also==
*[[Cool Spot]]
*[[Vess]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.7up.com/ Official U.S. web site]
*[http://www.snopes.com/business/names/7up.asp 7 Up] (undetermined source of product name)
*[http://www.digicc.com/fido/ 7 Up Numbers Puzzle]
{{Lemon-lime sodas}}
{{citrus sodas}}
[[Category:Dr Pepper Snapple Group brands]]
[[Category:Lemon-lime sodas]]
[[Category:1929 introductions]]
[[Category:Soft drinks]]
[[Category:Companies based in Jacksonville, Florida]]
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