Soft

The term soft drink originally applied to carbonated drinks and non-carbonated drinks made from concentrates, although it now commonly refers to almost any cold drink that does not contain alcohol. more...

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Beverages like colas, sparkling water, lemonade, and fruit punch are among the most common types of soft drinks, while hot chocolate, tea, coffee, milk and milkshakes do not fall into this classification.

Fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks (carbonated beverages) are produced by injecting carbon dioxide into the drink at a pressure of several atmospheres. Carbon dioxide dissolves readily at normal atmospheric pressure, particularly in cold beverages, but far more so at high pressure and large volumes of gas can be dissolved. When the pressure is released the carbon dioxide comes out of solution forming numerous bubbles and begins releasing the carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. After many minutes most of the carbon dioxide has been released and the drink is said to be "flat".

The chemical phenomenon whereby carbonated drinks taste fizzy is due to carbonic acid inducing a slight burning sensation, and is only indirectly related to the bubbles- both phenomena are caused by the carbonic acid concentration.

Carbonation can also be produced by partial fermentation in a sealed container. This is the method used in the production of ginger beer and by careful control, and use of appropriate yeasts, the alcohol level can be kept very low.

Packaging

In the US, soft drinks are often sold in two-liter bottles, one liter plastic bottles, 24 and 20 US fluid ounce bottles and in 12 US fluid ounce cans. They are packaged in a variety of quantities like six-packs, 12 packs and cases of 24. In Japan, 1.5 liter bottles, 500 mL and 350 mL bottles and cans are more common. With the advent of energy drinks sold in 8 ounce cans in the USA, some soft drinks are now sold in similarly sized cans. It is also common for fizzy soft drinks to be served as fountain drinks in which carbonation is added to a concentrate immediately prior to serving.

In the 1950's, the Emerson Drug Company produced a soft drink novelty, Fizzies; an effervesant tablet that, when dissolved in water, created a soft drink. Production of this product by various manufacters has been sporadic through the years, but is now marketed as a nostalga product for the "baby-boomer" generation.

Marketing

Soft drinks are commonly sold in stores in bottles and cans. They can also be dispensed using a soda gun. Sales earn a significant amount of money for the producers and distributors. Most famous name-brand soft drinks are produced and bottled by local or regional independent bottling companies. These companies license the name and are usually sold the main ingredients, with syrup made by the main manufacturing plants of the trademark holders.

Read more at Wikipedia.org