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Hawk remembers...I used to rock Grape shasta everyday for lunch back in 6th grade. Good stuff. More »
Posted on 08/15/09
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Getting its name from the Shasta Springs in northern California, where the soft drink first sourced its natural spring water, Shasta originally came as a pale, dry ginger ale. In fact, their products, from their basic water to later varieties of soft drinks were most often used as mixers in speakeasies during prohibition and even after. It would remain this way until the 1950s.
The 50s helped to make Shasta a revolutionary force in the soft drink industry. Shasta’s claim to fame is that they were the first to package their product in metal cans. They were also the first to offer low-calorie soft drinks and introduced grape and black cherry to their flavors. As the years went by, the little northern California soda company that could would expand to both coasts and during the 1960s they added a whopping 10 new flavors. By the time the 70s rolled around, Shasta had more flavors available than any other soft drink manufacturer in North America.
Shasta hit its height of popularity during the 1980s, and the 90s couldn’t get enough of referencing the stuff. In 1992, even the Beastie Boys had to give a shout-out – “’Cause I’m the Master Blaster, drinking up the Shasta!” Though Shasta’s flavor choices continued to expand, its popularity went into decline. Today, it’s available in only a handful of grocery chains, though those looking for a fix know where to get their Shasta fix.
