What was Pepsi-Cola called before it was renamed in 1898?

Before it became Pepsi-Cola in 1898, Pepsi-Cola was called Brad’s Drink.

Caleb Bradham developed the beverage in his New Bern, North Carolina, pharmacy and initially sold it under that simple name. The drink’s later name connected it more clearly with its intended digestive appeal and cola identity.

Bradham was a pharmacist, and early soft-drink marketing often emphasized refreshment and digestion. The name change helped distinguish the product as the business expanded beyond the pharmacy.

A common mix-up is to call Brad’s Drink Pepsi-Cola from the beginning. Pepsi-Cola is the later name, while Brad’s Drink belongs to the product’s earliest period.