Squirt (drink)
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Squirt is a caffeine-free, grapefruit-flavored, carbonated soft drink, created in 1938 in Phoenix, Arizona.<ref name="drpepper">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Squirt competes primarily against The Coca-Cola Company's Fresca.
History
Squirt was created by Herb Bishop in 1938.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Squirt was manufactured in the Beet Sugar Factory in Glendale, Arizona until 1981.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1941, a little boy mascot known as "Lil' Squirt" was created for marketing the product.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Squirt became a popular soft drink in many parts of the country, especially the West and Southwest. In the 1950s, it became commonly used as a mixer in cocktails.
The Coca-Cola Company introduced a lime and grapefruit drink called Fresca to compete. PepsiCo also briefly sold a drink called Citrus Blast in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1978, Squirt was sold to Michigan bottler Beverage America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1986, Squirt was acquired by A&W.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 1993 A&W Beverages was folded into Cadbury Schweppes.
In May 2008, Cadbury Schweppes spun off Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages into an independent company called the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and renamed itself to Cadbury plc.<ref>Cadbury plc Demerger. Retrieved on December 29, 2009. Template:Webarchive</ref> Dr Pepper/Seven Up still exists as a trademark and brand name as of 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On July 9, 2018, Keurig acquired the Dr Pepper Snapple Group in an $18.7 billion deal. The combined company was renamed "Keurig Dr Pepper".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Product line
Squirt is naturally flavored but contains less than 2% grapefruit juice. Like many other soft drinks, its packaging has varied over the years.
In 1983 Diet Squirt was introduced and was the first soft drink in the United States to be sweetened with aspartame.<ref name="drpepper" />
In the mid 1980s, a vitamin-C-enriched Diet Squirt Plus was briefly marketed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the early 1990s, Squirt Sorbet, a frozen treat, was offered in Detroit area supermarkets.
Berry-flavored Ruby Red and Diet Ruby Red Squirt have also been introduced. Unlike regular Squirt, Ruby Red Squirt contains caffeine.
In 2008, Squirt Citrus Power was introduced. Unlike regular Squirt, Squirt Citrus Power is caffeinated, lacks concentrated grapefruit juice, and contains taurine and other ingredients similar to an energy drink.