Pepsi: the cola born in a North Carolina doctor's pharmacy in 1893!

Before becoming Coca-Cola's global rival, Pepsi was simply "Brad's Drink" — the beverage invented by Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist in New Bern, North Carolina, who was trying to create a soda that helped digestion. In 1898, he renamed his creation "Pepsi-Cola," from the word dyspepsia (indigestion). Since then, Pepsi has become one of the most iconic brands on the planet. At My American Market, you'll find two special versions impossible to find in Europe: the Real Sugar and the Wild Cherry. So good!

Did you know Pepsi almost disappeared twice?

The Pepsi story is a true American saga. In 1893, Caleb Bradham invented "Brad's Drink" in his New Bern, North Carolina pharmacy — a mix of carbonated water, sugar, vanilla, rare oils and cola nuts. He renamed it Pepsi-Cola in 1898. The first Pepsi-Cola Company was founded in 1902. And then... two successive bankruptcies! In 1923, and again in the 1930s. It was in 1934 that Pepsi relaunched with its stroke of genius: a 12oz bottle for 5 cents — the same price as Coca's 6oz. In the depths of the Great Depression, Americans massively adopted the "two for a nickel cola" and Pepsi entered the legend for good.

But the ultimate marketing masterstroke came in 1975: the "Pepsi Challenge." Pepsi organized blind taste tests in American supermarkets — and proved that consumers preferred the taste of Pepsi over Coca without knowing it! A campaign that caused such panic at Coca-Cola that they reformulated their recipe in 1985 with "New Coke" — a commercial catastrophe that history still remembers. The rumor is true!

The two special Pepsis at MYAM

The Pepsi-Cola Real Sugar — it's THE Pepsi that true fans wait for! Unlike standard Pepsi (sweetened with high fructose corn syrup), the Real Sugar is made with real pure cane sugar. The result? A softer, rounder, cleaner taste — like the Pepsi of old. If you're the kind to debate the difference between cane sugar and HFCS, you'll love this format. Authentic soda lovers consider the Real Sugar the definitive version of Pepsi.

The Pepsi Wild Cherry — the cherry on the cola! A Pepsi base with a well-present, lightly tangy cherry note. Introduced in the US in 1988, Pepsi Wild Cherry became a catalog classic that never crossed the Atlantic onto the shelves. If you love cherry flavors and twists on classics, it's made for you! And if you want to explore even further: outside MYAM, the Pepsi range also includes a Lime, Vanilla, Mango, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi version... so many variations on an American theme we don't see in Europe.

Where to buy Pepsi Real Sugar and Wild Cherry in Europe?

These special versions of Pepsi are impossible to find in regular European stores. My American Market, the hunter of American pop food, imports them to you straight from the States. Express delivery!

Into American sodas? Check out RC Cola, Crush and Poppi in our shop too!

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