Okay, so, today I want to share my experience with something called Frank’s Beverages. It’s all about this soda company that was started way back in 1885. The story got my attention because this guy, Jacob Frank, who was a Russian immigrant, decided to start making soft drinks in Philadelphia. I mean, think about it, that’s a long time ago!
So, I started by digging up some information about Frank’s Beverages. Turns out they used to make stuff like cream soda and birch beer. I tried to find some of their old bottles online but no luck. Then I thought, “Why not try to recreate them?” I mean, how hard could it be, right?

Finding the Flavors
- I looked up a bunch of old recipes for cream soda and birch beer. I wanted to get as close as possible to what they might have tasted like back then.
- Then I headed out to the grocery store and bought all sorts of ingredients: vanilla beans, sugar, birch extract, and a few other things that I thought might be in the original drinks.
Making the Drinks
Back home, I started experimenting. I boiled water, added sugar, and stirred in vanilla for the cream soda. It smelled pretty good, I’m not gonna lie. For the birch beer, it was a bit trickier. I had to figure out the right amount of birch extract to use. Too much and it would taste like medicine, too little and you wouldn’t get that unique birch flavor. I mixed everything together, let it cool, and then added some carbonated water to make it fizzy.
Taste Test
Finally, it was time to taste them. I poured myself a glass of each and took a sip. The cream soda was sweet and had a nice vanilla flavor. It wasn’t bad at all. The birch beer was interesting. It had a minty, kind of root beer-like taste. I could see why people liked it, but it was definitely different. I called my friend, who is a foodie and drinks lover, and asked him to try the drinks I made. He thought it was delicious.
Sharing the Results
After making the drinks, I decided to share my experience with my friends. I told them about Jacob Frank and his soda company. They were pretty impressed that I tried to make these old-timey drinks. Some of them even asked me for the recipes so they could try it themselves!
So, that’s my story about Frank’s Beverages. It was a fun little project, and I learned a lot about old soda recipes. Plus, I got to taste some unique drinks that aren’t really around anymore. If you’re ever looking for a fun weekend activity, I recommend trying to recreate some old recipes. You might be surprised at what you discover!