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Caleb Bradham dreamed of being a physician when he graduated UNC-CH in 1867. He was accepted to a Maryland medical school and worked part-time to help earn money. These were tough financial times after the Civil War and Caleb soon quit school and returned to New Bern.
Later he opened a corner drugstore and in 1893 concocted a drink he called “Brad’s Drink.” It consisted of a mixture of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg and other natural additives. Townsfolk thought it was very good and began to tell others.
Caleb later changed the name to Pepsi-Cola.
– Ron Smith, S&A Communications