Last night my family had dinner at my parent’s house and my mother, always wanting to try new things, had a couple of new drinks to try. The first, a Thomas Kemper Grape Soda, tasted just like a Grape Nehi. It was smooth and grapie. The second was a new Coca-Cola C2, which aparently has half the sugar of regular coke (or dare I say Coca-Cola Classic) and half the carbohydrates. I didn’t taste it.

But it got me thinking about all the other drinks I have associated with special memories — like hot chocolate on a cold winter day. I thought I would share some of them with you all.

Coca-Cola

The family Carson is sonomous with Coke. Legend has it that my grandfather started drinking it as a kid when there was actaully coca leaves in it or something. Perhaps it is just an urban legend, but it makes a good story. As far back as I can remember my Grandfather always had a case of Coke in his house. Everyone drank it for every occasion. On special occasions, even us kids would get to enjoy a cold one in the back yard.

My aunt, Kathryn Carson Haman, was a Coke collector and even has the Coca-Cola logo on her headstone! As a tribute to her, whenever I visit my ancestors at the Lehi City Cemetary, I try and leave a Diet Coke for her on her headstone. She should have had a cupholder built into it.

So I have lots of memories of Coke.

Iron Brew

I was first introduced to Iron Brew on my mission while serving in Celle, Germany. As you may or may not know, when Germany was defeated after WWII, it was divided up between the Allies to patrol. Russia, had the eastern portion and walled it off and decided to keep it. The Americans took the southern part, the British took the middle, and the French took the Northern part. Anyway, I was in Celle and became friends with a British tank driver who, in turn, introduced me to Iron Brew.

Iron Brew is a soft drink from Scotland and, I was told, was orange in color because it has so much caffiene. Either way, it is a good drink and available at British and Scottish import stores. But I have fond memories of it and tend to remenise about that time in my life when I drink it.

Almdudler

Almdudler is from Austria and is quite delicious. I have fond memories of this drink — expecially while traveling through Austria, Yugoslovia, Croatia, Hungary, etc. I even kept a can in my fridge for years here in the USA that I decided I would drink to celebrate the birth of my second child, Thomas. As a side note, by the time I drank that Almdudler, it had gone bad.

Fanta Mango

This was my favorite drink in Germany. I have no idea why they haven’t released it here in the USA, but they serriously should. Many wonderful memories associated with drinking Fanta Mango.

Vanilla Coke

Whenever I think of, or drink Vanilla Coke I think of Wingers and California C&R. California C&R was the first place I ever had buffalo wings — and learned to love them. Later, when California C&R was gone, I found that Wingers had the same taste and that’s where I first had a Vanilla Coke. In fact, for years I made my own vanilla Coke and I still have a bottle of vanilla drink syrup in my fridge at home right now for making my own.

Coca-Cola eventually wised up and released Vanilla Coke as an officaial product.

What Are Your Favorite Drinks?

So what are your favorite drinks and associated memories? Leave them in the comments!