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SODA/POP/SOFT DRINKS

Discover sodas and pop brands being made right here in New York

One of the most intriguing discussions for New Yorkers is whether it’s called “pop” or “soda”. Your stance on the topic will likely be influenced by where you were raised since the terms are pretty regional here. What is indisputable though is that we’ve got a bunch of really great soda options being made here in the Empire State.

Since it will likely be something you’re thinking as you run through this list, the task of dividing up New York into regions is nearly as complicated as deciding what to call soda! Almost no one (even official state entities) has an agreed upon, official standard for separating the regions of the state. You will likely disagree with where some of the borders are drawn here. Try to remember the most important thing on this page is getting you connected with a great soda produced in your area.

ADIRONDACK REGION Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Herkimer, Hamilton, Lewis, Warren and Washington County

Stewart’s Shops

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With origins dating all the way back to 1917, this line of convenience stores has earned itself a spot in the archives of Upstate New York history. Folks in the Mohawk Valley, parts of Central New York and the Capital Region have helped Stewart’s Shops become a cultural fixture here. Back in 1935 they opened a soda bottling plant in Ballston, but their developments since then have far exceeded that of the early days. Their soda brand includes the staple flavors like cola, grape, root beer, citrus, and a bunch more.

CAPITAL REGION Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady County

Abbina Craft Sipping Soda

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When Charlie Albanetti was designing the concept behind this craft soda company, he was inspired by a passion for cigars. The flavors in Abbina soda pull their inspiration from the complex palate that serious cigar aficionados look for when carefully selecting a stick to smoke. Ingredients like allspice, patchouli, chocolate, earth beets, and oak moss contribute to a lineup of sodas entirely unlike anything else you can find.
Abbina Craft Sipping Sodas

Adirondack Soda

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Albeit one of the younger Upstate soda companies, their founding in 1967 still brings a rich history that most people are familiar with. They are now owned by the Polar Beverages line, but their hometown, small business attitude still is the one producing their classic soda flavors. Also noteworthy with this line is that it’s made with actual Adirondack water sourced in Scotia! You can find these guys in cans and 2 liter bottles in markets all over the state.
Adirondack Soda

CATSKILLS REGION Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster County

Nothing has been discovered in this region yet. 

CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION Broome, Chenango, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie County

Brown Carbonic

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Ever order a pop from the bar and they shoot a brown, bubbly delicious root beer out of a gun? Ever wonder where that soda comes from? Well, in the Syracuse area a lot bar guns are loaded with Brown Carbonic’s products. These guys specialize in restaurant and bar supply by providing ice, equipment, and even cleaning supplies. In addition though, they make a long line of sodas ranging from Cola to Sarsaparilla and Black Cherry. If you’ve had a soda from a bar gun in the area, it’s likely you’ve had Brown’s.

 
Root Beer by Brown Carbonic out of Syracuse

Saranac Brewery

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Right in downtown Utica, the Saranac (F.X. Matt Brewing Co.) Brewery has been a fixture in Upstate New York for over a century. The brewery was founded in 1888 by FX Matt, and the business is now in its fourth generation of leadership. They’re known for their beers like Utica Club, but their soft-drinks line of Saranac can be found nearly everywhere in New York. They’ve got the standard Ginger Beers and Root Beers, but they’ve got a couple unique flavors like a Shirley Temple and a Sparkling Lemonade too. You can drink onsite at the brewery in Utica, or purchase six-packs to go, but you can also find these in a lot of supermarkets around the Upstate region.

 
Saranac Root Beer Sodas

CHAUTAUQUA-ALLEGANY REGION Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany County

Nothing has been discovered in this region yet. 

FINGER LAKES REGION Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Yates and Wayne County

Abandon Brewing Company

 
This super cool brewery took over a rotted old barn that they restored into one of the coolest places to hang on Keuka Lake. In addition to their own long lineup of beers and full service food menu, they have their own root beer brewed right on site.
Root Beer at Abandon Brewing Company in Penn Yan

Brew & Brats

 
This Austrian-styled brewery in Naples is owned and operated by the same family of Arbor Hill Winery which is next door. They produce a number of their own beers and have a great German-themed menu to grab food from. They also have their own root beer available on tap or to purchase in growlers to take home.
Root Beer at Brew and Brats in Naples, NY

Fiz Pop

 
College Club and Fiz Soda have been a staple of Rochester for decades. Their long line of sodas features colas to root beers and even occasional specialities like Bat’s Blood for Halloween. You’ll find these available all over in stores and restaurants.
Fiz Soda Lineup in Rochester

Fleur De Lis Brew Works

 
Fleur De Lis is known for a number of different things like an amazing grounds to hang around in the summer months, a long line of celebrated beers, and the overall encompassing family atmosphere of the whole business. Putting them among the few who make it their business to offer a craft soda, they’ve been making their own root beer in house since opening in 2017.
Fleur De Lis Brewworks Root Beer Finger Lakes

Iron Heart Craft Soda

 
The folks at Three Brothers Winery and War Horse Brewing have been canning their own soda for almost a decade now. They started with a root beer and an orange cream, but have since added a cream soda, Shirley temple, lemon-lime and a black cherry. You can find these available for sale onsite in Geneva or in stores all over the region.
Iron Heart Craft Soda at Three Brothers Winery

Ithaca Beer Company

 
On any given weekend in Ithaca you’ll find just about everyone hanging at the expansive complex of Ithaca Beer Company. Their brews are popular and so is their food, but they also produce a root beer and a ginger beer on site. You can grab it on draft or in bottles to go.
 
Ithaca Beer Company Ginger Beer and Root Beer

Nine Spot Brewing

 
If you’re a fan of root beer then you likely wish you could find a great craft birch beer more often. Luckily, when the folks at Nine Spot opened in Rochester that decided that birch beer should be on their tap list and they started making it right in house. Grab a glass to hang out or a growler to go.
Birch Beer at Nine Spot Brewing in Rochester

Rohrbach Brewing Company

 
As the first craft brewery in Rochester, these guys have become one of the favorite local beers. Their line is always expanding and they’re regularly pushing the limits on making their offerings even better. To round out their craft menu, they also make their own root beer in house.
Root Beer at Rohrbachs Brewing Company

Tom Wahl’s

 
This vintage drive-in now has multiple locations, but the original in Avon has been serving the region since 1955. They’re known for their burgers, but locals also know their root beer in a frosted mug is a huge reason to visit.
Tom Wahl's_Featured Image

HUDSON VALLY REGION Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester County

Nothing has been discovered in this region yet. 

NIAGARA FRONTIER REGION Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming County

Johnnie Ryan Beverages

 
This small multi-generational family owned soda company is nearing a century since their founding in Niagara Falls. A lot has changed since their humble beginnings, but their recipes still exclusively use pure cane sugar and they’re still in Niagara Falls. They’ve expanded their lineup of course and their outreach. You can find them set up at local festivals, but you can also find them for sale on shelves all over Upstate New New York.
 
Johnnie Ryan Sodas Lineup

THOUSAND ISLANDS SEAWAY REGION Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence County

Nothing has been discovered in this region yet. 

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