Kitchen
Popular Fizzy Drinks
Test your beverage trivia on famous carbonated soft drinks, iconic sodas, their secret recipes, and commercial origins.
This is a free, 7-question multiple-choice quiz. Answer each question to see whether you got it right, with an explanation for every answer. There is no sign-up and no time limit — take it as many times as you like, and scroll down for the full answer key once you are done.
Question 1 of 7
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Which English scientist is credited with inventing carbonated water in 1767 by suspending a bowl of water over a brewery vat?
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Answer key & explanations
Every question in this quiz, with the correct answer marked and an explanation of why it is right. Use it to revise before or after taking the quiz above.
1.Which English scientist is credited with inventing carbonated water in 1767 by suspending a bowl of water over a brewery vat?
- AJoseph Priestley✓ Correct
- BHumphry Davy
- CMichael Faraday
- DRobert Boyle
Correct answer: Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley dripped sulfuric acid onto chalk over fermenting beer to generate carbon dioxide gas, producing the first artificial soda water.
2.What Atlanta pharmacist formulated the original Coca-Cola syrup in May 1886 as a health tonic?
- AJohn Pemberton✓ Correct
- BCaleb Bradham
- CCharles Alderton
- DAsa Candler
Correct answer: John Pemberton
Dr. John Stith Pemberton created the syrup at his home, bringing it to Jacobs' Pharmacy where it was blended with carbonated fountain water.
3.Which spicy, multi-flavor carbonated soft drink was invented in Waco, Texas, in 1885, predating Coca-Cola?
- ADr Pepper✓ Correct
- BRoot beer
- CCheerwine
- DMoxie
Correct answer: Dr Pepper
Charles Alderton, a pharmacist at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, blended twenty-three distinct fruit and herbal syrup flavors.
4.Which citrus-flavored soda brand was created in Germany in 1940 due to wartime embargoes preventing Coca-Cola syrup imports?
- AFanta✓ Correct
- BSprite
- CMirinda
- DSanpellegrino
Correct answer: Fanta
Max Keith, head of Coca-Cola Deutschland, developed Fanta using available leftover ingredients like apple fiber and whey during World War II.
5.Pepsi-Cola was originally developed in 1893 under what name before being rebranded after its digestive benefits?
- ABrad's Drink✓ Correct
- BCarolina Fizz
- CSugar Nectar
- DPepsin Tonic
Correct answer: Brad's Drink
Pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented 'Brad's Drink' in New Bern, North Carolina, renaming it Pepsi-Cola in 1898 because he believed it aided dyspepsia.
6.Which distinct ingredient traditionally flavored root beer before being largely banned for commercial use due to safrole content?
- ASassafras root bark✓ Correct
- BBirch bark
- CSarsaparilla vine
- DWintergreen leaf
Correct answer: Sassafras root bark
Sassafras root bark provided root beer's classic taste until the FDA restricted oil of sassafras in 1960 over liver toxicity concerns with safrole.
7.What carbonated mixer contains quinine, originally added to colonial beverages to prevent and treat malaria?
- AClub soda
- BTonic water✓ Correct
- CGinger ale
- DBitter lemon
Correct answer: Tonic water
British officers in colonial India mixed bitter powdered quinine with carbonated water, sugar, and gin, creating the gin and tonic.
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