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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Beverage

7 Up

7 Up is an American lemon-lime, non-caffeinated soft drink first released in 1928.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

7 Up is an American lemon-lime, non-caffeinated soft drink first released in 1928. It was created by Charles Leiper Grigg and is now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper in the United States, with PepsiCo handling many international markets.

What it is

7 Up is a caffeine-free lemon-lime soft drink introduced in the late 1920s. It was originally sold under the longer name Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda, and its early formula included lithium citrate, which was later removed.

Why it matters

7 Up became widely known through marketing that positioned it as an alternative to cola drinks, including the “Uncola” branding. This helped establish it as a recognizable competitor in the soft-drink market, and it remains a familiar brand in Canada through PepsiCo’s distribution.

Key details

The brand is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper in the United States and by PepsiCo in many other markets, including Canada. The meaning of the name “7 Up” remains uncertain, with no single explanation confirmed.

In short

  • Introduced in 1928 as a lemon-lime, caffeine-free soft drink.
  • Originally called Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.
  • Owned by Keurig Dr Pepper in the US and PepsiCo internationally.
  • Known for its “Uncola” marketing campaign.
Canadian angle

7 Up is sold in Canada through PepsiCo’s North American beverage system, making it a familiar soft drink for Canadian consumers.

Quick questions

What is 7 Up?
7 Up is a lemon-lime, caffeine-free soft drink brand first introduced in the late 1920s.
Who created 7 Up?
Charles Leiper Grigg is credited with creating 7 Up.
Does 7 Up contain caffeine?
No. It is described as a non-caffeinated soft drink.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_Up
    Supports: Basic description, ownership, caffeine-free status, and introduction date.
  2. University of Missouri IMBA — https://imba.missouri.edu/7-up-history-3979850862.html
    Supports: Early history, original name, inventor, and lithium ingredient.
  3. Arizona Daily Star — https://tucson.com/life-entertainment/nation-world/food-drink/how-7up-was-born-st-louis/article_c5d473eb-52fc-55cb-aa8b-3d5786d74f54.html
    Supports: Launch context and inventor in St. Louis.
  4. ThoughtCo — https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-7up-charles-leiper-grigg-4075324
    Supports: Name changes and ownership changes over time.
  5. Snopes — https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/7up/
    Supports: Inventor and uncertainty around the name’s origin.
  6. McGill University — https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know-history/7-was-originally-antidepressant
    Supports: Original lithium citrate ingredient, name changes, and uncertainty about the “7”.
  7. Hatchwise — https://www.hatchwise.com/resources/the-complete-history-of-the-7up-logo
    Supports: Brand history, current ownership summary, and international distribution.