There are a number of American sodas that are now available in the UK, this makes it far easier for American expats to enjoy some home comforts and for UK-based soda lovers to purchase their drink of choice.

Most of the products below do contain sugar and caffeine and as with everything, should be consumed in moderation. Although we don’t recommend high caffeine consumption, sensible amounts are known to keep the brain alert and increase your metabolism in breaking down fats. Hopefully that’s enough to persuade you that there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a tasty American soda every once in a while.

The average American will swig nearly a gallon of soda every week, proving it to be very popular across the pond. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, here are some tasty American drinks that are also available at specialist shops in the UK.

Minute Maid

Minute Maid is owned by the Coca-Cola Company and has a number of different sodas on the market from concentrated fruit juices to fresh lemonades made from real lemons. Minute Maid was the first company to introduce concentrated orange juice, the appeal was wide-scale, being able to buy juice all year round was a novelty in the 1940s. Nowadays, Minute Maid market 100% freshly squeezed orange juices, which are very popular in the North America, and they also sell a selection of lemonades. If you’re looking to purchase some soda, we recommend you buy Minute Maid Pink Lemonade. Minute Maid lemonade is a wonderfully refreshing soda, and can’t be beaten when served with ice and a slice.

Mello Yello

Mello Yello is citrus-flavoured, Coca-Cola Company owned drink, brought out to compete the popular soda Mountain Dew. There is ongoing rivalry between these two drinks. Mellow Yello introduced cherry, melon and peach-flavoured soda but these were only available for a limited time.

Coca-Coca Vanilla (or Vanilla Coke)

Coca-Cola introduced its Vanilla Coke in 2002 and although it was successful for a short space of time, it was discontinued by 2005 because of a decline in sales. Black Cherry Vanilla Coke was then introduced followed by Vanilla coke, which was reintroduced in 2007. There is also a Coca-Cola Vanilla Zero available (no added sugar). Vanilla Coke is extremely popular in the UK but unfortunately hard to get hold of. There are American drinks suppliers in the UK that sell this variant of Coca-Cola.

Fanta Strawberry

Fanta was originally created in Germany because the ingredients for its most popular drink, Coca-Cola, were difficult to import into Nazi Germany during the Second World War. The brand name ‘Fanta’ derives from the German word ‘fantasie’ (fantasy, in case you hadn’t guessed). Fanta is best known for its orange-flavoured fizzy drink but they also make Fanta Strawberry, its unique fruity taste is refreshing and original. There aren’t many strawberry-flavoured fizzy drinks on the market, which makes Fanta Strawberry one of a kind.

The soft drink industry often gets bad press and fizzy drinks are linked to obesity and high-calorie intake. As long as you keep your soda as a treat, there’s nothing wrong with a carbonated treat every now and then.

When temperatures soar and bodies get hot during the summer there are many ways in which people can choose to cool down. Some just sit in the shade, others take a cool shower and others still fan themselves. All of us, though, like a cool, refreshing drink to bring the temperature down.

Make up a jug of your favourite drink, toss in some ice cubes, pour into a chilled glass, sit back and sip it down while you bask in the sun or hide in the shade, nothing beats a cold drink on a hot day.

Here are some of the most popular drinks to keep cool with during the summer months.

Sodas & Pops

A can or bottle of your favourite soda is possibly the most popular drink consumed to keep cool. Straight from the fridge or poured over ice in a glass, the likes of cola, lemonade and other citrus-flavoured sodas like Mello Yello or Mountain Dew are a great way to cool down and relax.

Iced Tea / Coffee

Not the most popular, perhaps, but certainly one of the most effective drinks to keep cool, iced tea (or coffee) provides a cooling effect as well as a boost in energy and alertness from the caffeine. They do taste great as well, so for those that haven’t tried it, give it a go, you won’t regret it.

Adding lemon to an iced tea gives it a bit of zing too – try that, it’s delicious.

Water

Without doubt water – ice water specifically – is THE most effective way to cool down on a hot day, especially if you’ve been doing some form of physical exercise. It’s the drink that will quench your thirst the fastest. The only real downside is that it doesn’t have the best ‘flavour’ in the world – but no other drink will make you feel as refreshed and that’s guaranteed!

Beer

One mainly for the men this. Imagine you’re working away in the garden, the sun is out, the temperature is high. You’ve worked up a sweat and you’re dying of thirst. What could possibly be more appealing than a cold glass of beer, served up straight from the fridge in a glass from the freezer? Nothing, that’s what!

Wine

And one for the ladies. Sitting about chatting with friends, enjoying the sun and the warmth with a chilled bottle of white wine like a chardonnay or a rosé is a great way to spend a summer’s day. Very relaxing, very sociable and a good way to unwind from a busy week.

Cider

Cider is possibly one of the most refreshing alcoholic summer drinks there is. The fact that it is made from apples just makes it all the more summery and it can be enjoyed by men and women alike, of course. Drink it straight from the bottle or on top of LOADS of ice for the perfect summer drink to have at parties and the like.

Just remember to not overdo it, especially with the alcohol – there’s always too much of a good thing, remember and you don’t want to make yourself ill!