The history of soft drinks can be traced back to ancient times. Ancient societies believed that bathing in natural springs and dirnking mineral waters could cure diseases.

People often confuse soft drinks as just sodas. However, any beverage that does not have alcohol or dairy products is considered to be a soft drink. They include bottled waters, iced tea, fruit punch and soda. 

The sherbet is most likely the earliest soft drink. Developed in the Near East during the medieval times, these juices were made of crushed herbs, fruits and flowers. These sherbets are totally different from the frozen ones we enjoy today.

The first naturally carbonated drink appeared around 1265 in England. Dandelion and Burdock was very popular during that time.

Non-carbonated soft drinks were first marketed in the West during the 17th century. The drinks were made of honey, lemon and water. Marketer carried barrels of this drink on their backs and sold them to the people in towns.

In the 18th century carbonated drinks were introduced to the world. Wanting to replicate naturally carbonated water "Joseph Priestly discovered a method of infusing water with carbon dioxide to make carbonated water" (Wikipedia.org). With its pleasant taste, carbonated water became very popular. Later on in the century, flavours were introduced to the water.

In the early 1800s, soda water was popular in the United States. Using a Nooth apparatus, Benjamin Silliman sold soda by dispensing them in cups and glasses. This was the birth of the soda fountain. Since this was a major success, large factories were producing soda fountains be the 1830s.

Since mineral water was and still is a healthy beverage, Pharmacists set about to improve the taste. They added herbs and used "birch bark, dandelion, sarsaparilla, fruit extracts and other substances" (Wikipedia.org).