Why Sprite Beat 7UP In The Clear Cola Wars

All throughout the 80s and 90s, one thing was clear - there was a battle on, and that battle raged between 7Up and Sprite. Join us as we walk through the past, seeing how these two titans came to be, and recounting the various marketing battles that were had! Which is your favorite? 7Up, or, Sprite?
#7up #sprite #weirdhistoryfood

[@michaelbrown1846]

This video completely misses the real reason: Distribution. Sprite is owned by Coke, and Coke distributed it 100%. 7UP / Dr Pepper are their own company, but don’t usually distribute themselves. In the 80’s and 90’s they were mostly distributed by Pepsi… But in the 90’s Pepsi came out with Sierra Mist (now called Starry). 7UP no longer had a major distributor and faded out, especially in the restaurant fountain machine channel of distribution.

[@mungosmungo8694]

And some how, starry doesn't taste like mist...sad

[@maitrehg]

True 👍

[@kl2894]

7UP is still distributed by Pepsi in Australia.

[@gunit6815]

7up and Dr. Pepper are distributed by PepsiCo here in Canada.

[@maitrehg]

@@gunit6815 No. In Canada, Dr Pepper is distributed by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada. You are right about 7up.

[@NewMessage]

My kidneys have PTSD from the Clear Cola Wars...

[@seanluzdeluna8153]

Lol!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelmayhem350]

Bring back crystal Pepsi lol

[@AwakenedAvocado]

Wheres the cherry Sprite at tho

[@AwakenedAvocado]

@@michaelmayhem350 judging by what I've seen crystal Pepsi was a failure back then but if rereleased today I think it would be a hit or at least get a decent reception

[@michaelmayhem350]

@@AwakenedAvocado I disagree. Clear Pepsi failed because coke intentionally made a terrible clear soda and people are stupid. Today people are still stupid so I'm confident if clear Pepsi came back coke would do the same again and we'd get the same result.

[@c.ladimore1237]

"make 7-up yours" was SUCH a funny line. i'd love to have been to that pitch meeting

[@BanTheCrookedBlueLine]

I used to have that T-shirt. " Make 7" on the front " up yours" on the back 😂

[@jamesragsdale3069]

Yeah they gave out shirts saying Make 7 on the front, and the back said Up yours!

[@DS-re4vs]

Grew up with 7Up, when we kids got sick it was part of the 80’s sick kid starter pack: 7Up, saltines, chicken soup, and laying on the couch watching the Price is Right

[@zz449944]

I remember ginger ale, buttered saltines, tomato soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches on sick days. Maybe ice cream if you complained about a sore throat. haha

[@joshuafletcher598]

My mom and aunt when me and my cousin were sick would give us clear soda to help with tummy problems

[@BMoney8600]

@@joshuafletcher598same with my Irish mother

[@Iswhatitis345]

I was born in 99 and that’s what my parents did for us. Even the price is right, but of course they were raised in the 80s.

[@diegop2311]

Ah yes the clear soda wars My uncle lost a leg in that one in the battle of diabetes island 😅😅

[@The105ODST]

7-Up is the best and I will gladly fight on that hill

[@ironhell813]

Same here.

[@maitrehg]

7Up by a mile

[@neutral6941]

I like both 7up and sprite.

[@BMoney8600]

I don’t really like them but I do when I have the flu

[@LubbockBabesFan]

Same

[@cygnia]

I'd be interested in a video on the history of Canada Dry

[@Lickymaballs]

I wonder if it ranks in the top 10

[@TheTrumpReaper]

So would I! Particularly why Canada Dry Wild Cherry is no longer sold in California (as far as I know).

[@als2497]

Not mentioning the famous/infamous Drake sprite ad is wild lmao

[@skinz316]

You completely missed the other 7-up mascot fido Dido

[@akeemhill5254]

The way she said rakim irritated me

[@CaseyMcGeorge]

Ok…had to make sure I wasn’t the only one who caught that…

[@RinostarGames]

Rake 'em!

[@jackdub7740]

you dont like raykum?

[@RinostarGames]

@@jackdub7740 I thought that was Phife's nickname after the "Scenario" verse?

[@anthonyworkman2852]

Why she call Rakim Rack-him😂

[@carlbrumm4948]

Between that and "Noss" she made me throw my Sprite in anger.

[@davidkeetz]

Well he should have spelled it with a z if wanted to be called “Naaz”, but even then it would be correct to say it as “nasz”, Nas is pronounced NOSS

[@maryalicefrazier2817]

"Make 7-Up Yours"

[@ironhell813]

Hopefully I can, if I can find any lol

[@chrismayer3919]

There was a citrus drink that came out in the 80s when Nintendo and Super Mario Bros. debuted; it was called 1up… 😆

[@calvinthurston1441]

I'm a father of 3 and invented a soda also...its called shut up! LOL 😜

[@lungsfullapurrp]

Nah she pronounced Rakim as “rake em” that’s wild

[@banjohead66]

The Geoffrey Holder ads were the best!

[@ljohnson1908]

The OG narrator would never mispronounce Rakim .

[@sydguitar99]

No way she pronounced Rakim, "ray-kim" lmao

[@DPDBR23]

Was gonna comment this lmao

[@jenniferlonnes7420]

Like "rake 'em". 🙄

[@DoritoMcBeef]

You don't know the classics man! Rakem, Two-Pack Shaker, Largey small, Dr. Drake, Big Bun, Obese Joseph, Capital L, Puff Donny

[@sydguitar99]

@@DoritoMcBeef damn you don't have to do her like that💀😂

[@DoritoMcBeef]

@@sydguitar99 ngl I was chuckling to myself about Obese Joseph. 🤣

[@matthewjames876]

"When you think of germany......" is a BOLD transition choice guys

[@Smaptastic]

@3:52 - T.C. "Bud" Evans is just Jim Carrey's time traveling pseudonym.

[@THE-X-Force]

Heavy-D: _Now that we've got Sprite.._ _what are we gonna do.._ _with it.._

[@PhantomLover007]

Dammit. Now you got that song stuck in my head.

[@Mr.TrUnrBrigs-oo4yz]

Freshen up, of course!

[@dragonflyhorseshoes9393]

7up. I am even wearing my "Make 7 Up Yours" tshirt today!!!!

[@dennislogan6781]

I played the 7up Spot game. It was really fun. I probably beat it a dozen times.

[@GotTheBestLigma]

Cool spot..... that was a fun game

[@PhantomLover007]

Yep. Played the spot game on game boy

[@Drummingwizkid]

Can you tell us how Taco Bell won the Franchise Wars?

[@ridureyu]

Nuclear burrito deployment.

[@Drummingwizkid]

@@ridureyu The M.O.A.B. - Mother of all burritos.

[@seanluzdeluna8153]

​​@@ridureyu lol!😂🌯☢️

[@seanluzdeluna8153]

​@@Drummingwizkidlmao!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AwakenedAvocado]

By installing diareahh proof toilets

[@xwrecker]

I love how the autobots vs decepticons analogy uses the dotm scene of sentinel going rogue

[@ThirdEchelon111]

I far prefer the taste of 7UP over Sprite. Sprite has a chemical soap taste, to me. It doesn't matter if it's out of a can, bottle or a soda fountain. It tastes like soap.

[@maitrehg]

So true 😂

[@colerieger7300]

"They say the recipe for Sprite is lemon and lime. I tried to make it at home, there's more to it than that" Mitch Hedberg

[@Mr.TrUnrBrigs-oo4yz]

Left out the lithium my man!

[@colddogs]

sprite is nothing compared to a cold, crisp can of 7-up

[@thefunnychiptuneman]

true

[@evan8402]

bro 7 up taste so bad that cant even compare to the new brand stary

[@thefunnychiptuneman]

@@evan8402 stary taste like year old serra mist but worse

[@steelcurtain187]

Damn I forgot about that Grant Hill commercial. That was EVERYWHERE at the time

[@deadplthebadass21]

You know I think most people would think of something else when they think of Germany

[@isthatharrasment]

The printing press obviously 🙄

[@Vegeta654]

You right, how can she forget about the Austrian painter?

[@lakrids-pibe]

Yes, well built luxury sedans.

[@DoNotBlink.]

and Fanta

[@mattyt1961]

Pork Knuckle

[@relicgarcia3763]

Its because Grant Hill drink sprite lol

[@pam8962]

When I drink Sprite it makes me thirsty

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Dry Ginger Ale does the same. Thirsty mouth, a full belly, and nothing you can do about it.

[@user-gd4ku5se8h]

7Up all day long. Sprite has a nasty chemical aftertaste.

[@savagegrant]

That`s because it`s now a mixture of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

[@user-gd4ku5se8h]

@@savagegrant Don't get me wrong. I drink more artifially sweetened than 'natural' drinks. I do luv those little envelopes like Crystal Light. So I do drink my share of Aspartame without noticing a difference between it and the ever ubiquitous corn syrup.

[@jerranspearman3369]

good video

[@calvinthurston1441]

They call it 7n7 not 7nSprite is all I'm sayin....

[@btetschner]

7:29 When I was in high school, I sent letters to NBA basketball players asking for autographs. Grant Hill was the one autograph sent back, he sent a photo with a short note and his autograph!

[@soggycracker5934]

It's odd, because 7up is SO much better...

[@goodlife6277]

True words

[@kiniburk]

Sadly, my mother always gave me 7UP as a kid when I was sick. To this day, I think of it as medicine.

[@melissacooper8724]

Oddly enough, a lot of sodas started out as medicine like Coca-Cola for instance.

[@nickvoelker7180]

It's pretty easy, they were marketing the product to the American consumer. Sprite has more sugar than 7UP, that's why it's preferred.

[@terriwetz6077]

It also tastes better!

[@Mr.TrUnrBrigs-oo4yz]

​@@terriwetz6077he already said more sugar😂

[@igniasan4554]

I don't prefer that nasty shit I prefer 7up

[@igniasan4554]

​@@terriwetz6077Sprite is downright disgusting if anyone were to ever offer me a Sprite I throw that shit in their face

[@nickvoelker7180]

@@igniasan4554Your bloodline is strong

[@ftwsam2246]

I like 7 up more because Sprite is too sweet (except for McDonald's), and Sierra Mist/Starry is too flat AND too sweet. 7 up is the perfect balance of sweetness and bubbly.

[@PhantomLover007]

And ya forgot to even touch on the differences between sprites or 7-Up “medicinal“ purposes in either white or black families. Most black folks will drink Sprite for medicinal purposes, while white folks will typically drink 7-Up/ginger ale. And please, it is not Rake-Him. It’s Rah-Kim.

[@billpostscratcher2025]

Phillip Morris bought 7-up Corp in 1978. 7up bottlers were franchise holders. I was working for 7up as a helper with my Dad on a Truck route from 78-82, where the drivers worked to upsell users, establish and enhance relationships. He was known as the guy to go in and fix broken routes. PM forced the 7up franchises to bend to their will by cutting off resources to the plant operators. They RAIDED 7-up, got rid of most everyone that did the route work and convert to a centralized system, and ending the franchises. In the Norfolk Va area, VaBeach, etc, use to have as much 7-up product on the shelf as Coke and Pepsi. One thing introduced in the late 80s was grocers selling shelf real estate, something that was often negotiated by the salesmen before. PM wanted their money, squeezed the limon hard, and then disposed of the corpse. Our family and my Dad were severely impacted.

[@BigTimeRushFan2112]

Sprite was good in a pinch but it was no 7Up.

[@CharliMorganMusic]

I can't tell the difference.

[@maitrehg]

​@@CharliMorganMusic7Up does not tastes soap like Sprite.

[@Michael-yi4mc]

Speaking of clear, 🎵I can see clearly now, the rain has stopped. I can see all obstacles…🎵

[@chrisbfd]

I'm a 7up guy since I was a 7up kid😂😂

[@THE-X-Force]

Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?

[@maitrehg]

7up is way better but Sprite is distributed by Coke. That's the main raison.

[@PimpUigi]

Still sad about this. : ( And I love Kurtis Blow so much. 7Up is the original and best, I wish the Coca Cola company would have bought up 7Up and A&W so all the best sodas would be under one brand and not competed against and impossible to find at McDonald's. ;p

[@joeybaseball7352]

These drinks rapid growths made sense, since people were actually drinking them. But prime's rapid growth doesn't. I have never seen anyone drinking prime.

[@andrewbatts7678]

I remember spot

[@lawrencetalbot8346]

On my way to Club-7 I get my 7-up from 7-11 Then I’m in 7-Heaven

[@btetschner]

Very slick!

[@moyo6606]

"Now more than ever" is a really weird slogan

[@Momnpop98]

I prefer the flavor of 7Up. Plus I had my first Orange Crush soda after 2020 only because I despised the connection to the Denver Broncos. 😂

[@ticketstation]

The game was awesome!!!

[@templar1694]

I both love this drinks. The availability is what keeps me from buying the other. Sprite is always available while 7up is not.

[@templar1694]

Sprite has more of that sparkling water and lemon taste while 7up sweeter and less of that sparkling tang.

[@kari-gs4eq]

Yup, whatever is on sale. Have both in the house right now

[@DrowsyGamer]

7Up has a aftertaste that leaves you thirsty

[@rebasack21]

I am allergic to caffeine (yes really, multiple ER trips happened before i figured out the trigger) and sprite has become one of my favorite safe drinks to get when i am out all day. I used to get sprite or 7up interchangeably until i learned that 7up at least during the holidays supports the salvation army. I have friends from single moms to LGBTQ people who have been horribly treated by that organization and sadly the more i have learned about them the worse they are. I will literally buy a meal for a homeless person rather than take them to one of those places to be abused.

[@stephenkapuscinski5637]

No offense to sprite drinkers I actually like 7 up better than sprite in taste test but to each his own

[@NASCARFAN93100]

Please do The Story on Root Beer

[@btetschner]

I second that.

[@lilkasper378]

Im gonna bring back 7 UP

[@michaelwalsh3474]

I had one of those shirts 😂 @8:41

[@jeremy28135]

🔴7-UP > Sprite

[@ismaelramos7593]

Latinos know that 7up cures colds

[@HDCalame]

Does anyone remember TEEM lemon lime soda from Pepsi?

[@seatspud]

Slice weeps alongside Teem in the corner.

[@liamobrien6151]

Sprite isn't as clean a taste as 7-up. I strongly prefer 7-up. Then again, I'm also team Pepsi in the cola wars. But I bet that just like Pepsi, a "7-Up challenge" blind taste test would net a sound victory for 7-up over Sprite.

[@MrJoshcc600]

You give so much credit to commercials / ads. Today in 2024 ads make me want to NOT buy stuff because they are a pain in the @$$

[@candycemonroe7345]

I liked the cranberry Sprite.

[@Michael-yi4mc]

During the 1960’s, doctors actually recommended drinking clear soda to hydrate one self. Imagine a sugary, empty calorie beverage having any value?

[@mabus42]

When choosing a branded pop, I've always reached for a 7up and it's now-stablemate RC Cola. Most ads suck, and celebrity endorsements just don't do it for me. Maybe I'm just old-school, hipster or whatever sort of non-conformist label you want to throw my way, but it's my proud choice, and I stand by it.

[@Minnevan]

Sierra Mist: Am I a joke to you?

[@mattyt1961]

it is a joke to everyone :)

[@bloodmooncomics2249]

I don't even see 7up anywhere anymore.

[@cee8mee]

Bubble-Up, please.

[@jrockudont]

You guys did Fido Dido dirty

[@marylist1236]

No competition, but, you should do the story of Vernors

[@timthegem]

Best ginger ale ever made!

[@jdayala-wright8875]

Yep Sprite has the NBA and Soul Train to thank for its rise

[@Kilan80]

I almost died when she said RAYkim instead of RA(h)kim 🤦🏿‍♂️ thats like saying Kurt Cobine

[@josephlasonde9427]

You forgot to mention dnL. a 7up drink.

[@seatspud]

And 7Up Gold.

[@army103]

That's surprising...I personally prefer Sprite over 7up, but if you had asked me before the video I would have guessed that 7up was way more popular overall.

[@davidjones535]

7 up and cherry 7 up but I'm more a Squirt fan my self .

[@brian-ld4vd]

I still like the original, both are good but I'm never going to betray 7 Up. LoL

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

If I taste 7-Up, it reminds me of staying home from school, sick.

[@markfigueroa1681]

Make 7 Up yours

[@JustJami74]

What was that "murderers row" comment about?

[@peterknutsen3070]

It was about insinuating that all (black) rap musicians are criminals.

[@RedonRedGutta923]

The fact that they never gave credit to sprite remix is a tragedy

[@terriwetz6077]

For taste alone I prefer Sprite. But for mixing cocktails you gotta use 7UP.

[@ShinGoukiSan]

Big L for using Bay's Transformers

[@cavinshambles6371]

Do a Shasta soda history video!

[@matthewsermons7247]

Cool Spot was a great SNES game!

[@catzapps5953]

7-up for life

[@whimsy0451]

👍

[@onlyme219]

Fun fact, 7up was Snow Whites fav drink

[@jeffdoyle1227]

People drink sprite WITHOUT alcohol? I didn't know you could even do that

[@iwaspaidtoflywithyoubatman]

7up or Sprite mixed with Fresca is my jam.

[@imdaprophet]

Try lean.

[@Killem-Dafoe]

"When life gives you lemons, you make beef stew" -Beyoncé, probably

[@NinoBrown08]

Can we have the gentleman do all the voiceovers?

[@misterhat5823]

No. Go to the back of the line.

[@user-sk4cy6vz4k]

I love 7UP more than sprite, but both of them now unavailable in my country 😅

[@thefunnychiptuneman]

where you from?

[@user-sk4cy6vz4k]

​@@thefunnychiptuneman Russia

[@thefunnychiptuneman]

@@user-sk4cy6vz4k that sucks you guys dont have sprite or 7up there reapy good the drink with meaty foods or chips too

[@shep1807]

You guys totally skipped the Never Had It, Never Will 7 UP advertising with Geoffrey Holder aka Baron Samedi.

[@btetschner]

0:01 I remember watching that King Kong vs. Godzilla film, great film! I added that to my April Watchlist!

[@joshuafletcher598]

It’s my fav old school Godzilla film

[@someoneoncesaid6978]

Sprite won by making exclusivity deals with restaurants, like McDonalds. When you only have one choice, then it makes the outcome of who the winner is predetermined.

[@TheFlock83]

As a kid I really wanted a “Make 7 Up Yours” shirt, unfortunately my mom wouldn’t let me have one

[@mikeytappe]

It’s Ra-Kim, not Rake-um!!