Squirt

Squirt is a caffeine-free citrus-flavored soft drink created in 1938 by Herb Bishop. Bishop created a new carbonated drink that required less fruit and less sugar. In Bishop’s opinion, it was the freshest, most exciting taste in the marketplace. [ [http://www.brandspeoplelove.com/csab/Brands/Squirt/tabid/132/Default.aspx Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages] ] Bishop gave Squirt its name because the drink seemed to "squirt" into your mouth like a freshly squeezed grapefruit. Squirt is naturally flavored and contains grapefruit juice (less than 1%). Another version, Ruby-Red Squirt, which is a citrus-berry flavor and contains caffeine, was created in 1993 with the help of Squirt Chemist Roy D. Hugh, who also pioneered the use of aspartame in soft drinks in the United States. [ [http://www.legacy.com/azcentral/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=105548213 Arizona Republic, March 13, 2008, obituary of Roy D. Hugh] ]

A Diet Squirt was also introduced. Diet Squirt is similar to Fresca. In 1983, Diet Squirt became the first soft drink in the United States to be sweetened with aspartame. Diet Squirt is carbonated with a white tint to it. A vitamin-C-enriched Diet Squirt Plus was briefly marketed in the mid 1980s.

Ownership of the Squirt brand has changed hands several times and is currently owned by the British Cadbury Schweppes. In the United States the brand is produced under the authority of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.

In 2008, a new brand called Squirt Citrus Power was introduced. Unlike regular Squirt, Squirt Citrus Power is caffeinated, and not flavored with concentrated grapefruit juice. It also features taurine and other ingredients similar to an energy drink.

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