SODA SCIENCE: The Harcourt Theory of Flavor

Here's the latest dispatch from Kris Harcourt, Aussie entrepreneur extraordinaire, who posits a scientific connection among three of the most popular sodas out there:

Only 3 sodas in the marketplace (that I can think of) are unique and original flavors...Coke, Mountain Dew, and Dr. Pepper. Everything else is a plagiarism of pre-existing flavors from nature, usually fruit-derived. Coke and Mountain Dew introduced something completely original that are derivatives of nothing that came before them. As for Dr. Pepper, given that it was created by a pharmacist means it definitely makes the list of "invented in a lab."

I have previously suggested that root beer was another sui generis taste, but my homonymic homie Harcourt argues that root beer is based on the sarsaparilla root, which comes from nature, not from a lab. What do you think? (And no, that's not a picture of Kris. It's a baby yak.)

POP OF THE DAY: Mountain Dew LiveWire

Category: Citrus soda
Ratings (out of 5)
Taste: 3
Fizziness Factor: 2
Bottle/Can Design: 3
Availability: 4

Tasting Notes: Oh, PepsiCo, you can be so cruel. LiveWire debuted in 2003 as a summer-only soda—the Mallomar of carbonated beverages, if you will. The autumnal disappearance of LiveWire inspired at least one online petition. Evenutally, the groundswell of support earned this "orange-ignited" flavor a permanent place in the Pepsi Product Pack, but it still doesn't have the rock star status of the original Dew—which, by the way, was originally created as a mixer for whisky. Who knew? LiveWire tastes like a melted orange gummy bear with a whisper of carbonation. It's also surprisingly filling, so if you're on a road trip and stop for caffeine and candy, LiveWire lets you skip the candy. It's best served really, really cold, in a clear glass that allows you to appreciate how the Yellow 5 and Red 40 mingle to create a shimmering, luminescent orange. (Total score 12/20)

Suggested Food Pairings: Sourdough pretzels, ramen noodles