The oldest soda pop in America belongs to Vernor’s

Editorial_Use_Only_vernors ginger soda_Photo by victoriap_107 - stock.adobe.com_537548970.jpg

victoriap_107 - stock.adobe.com

Created in 1866, Vernon’s Ginger Ale is the oldest soda pop in America. Vernor’s is located in Michigan and was created by James Vernor.

The unique flavor was actually created on accident by leaving the soda pop encased in wood while he went off to war.

Vernor’s boasts the oldest soda in America, but not the world. That belongs to Schweppe’s, who created a carbonated mineral water in 1783.

Other old sodas include Hires Root Beer (1876), Moxie 1876, Dr. Pepper (1885), Coca-Cola (1886), and Pepsi (1893.

Related Stories
Greater transparency into USDA-backed lending can help rural lenders and producers better assess credit availability and investment trends.
The West Carroll Parish Ag Expo represents more than farming — it is about the future of agriculture, where tradition meets innovation, and where the backbone of Northeast Louisiana continues to thrive.
Nearly everyone in the South Texas ag community appears extremely worried about the potential of a New World screwworm epidemic, according to a local veterinarian. RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports.
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
In a landmark ruling delivered in late 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act.
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Tom McComas became involved with toy trains by accident and with reluctance. But his passion led to the creation of “I Love Toy Trains,” which quickly became TM’s best-selling title and one of the bestselling children’s video series in the U.S.
Filmed in front of a live audience at the historic Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky, “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” features an eclectic array of popular artists from genres of folk, blues, country, jazz, new-age, and rock.
Madison Brown grew up on the road and now invites viewers to follow along with her as she continues to indulge her love of exploring new places, including behind-the-scenes at big events and tourist attractions, and celebrity interviews with the likes of country star Toby Keith, former NBA player Karl Malone, former MLB pitcher Greg Maddux, and “Brady Bunch” star Christopher Knight (Brown’s uncle).
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.
Join host Allen Treadwell and the Hayden Outdoors crew plus landowners across the country as we bring you exciting adventures on the land with the most amazing properties for sale and learn what it means to broker these magnificent properties.