SQUIRT
CREATING A CITRUS CLASSIC
Squirt soda was invented in 1938 by Herb Bishop in Phoenix, Arizona, under the Herb Bishop's Orange Soda Company. Bishop took an earlier drink called Citrus Club and refined the original recipe into a refreshing grapefruit soda made with real grapefruit juice, creating a distinctive citrus beverage that quickly stood out from other soft drinks of the time. Bishop drew inspiration for the flavor after hearing that local citrus workers mixed grapefruit juice with soda water to create a unique beverage, and he named it Squirt to capture the tangy splash of grapefruit juice. Squirt quickly gained a following throughout the Southwest, while its distinctive green bottle and bright yellow label helped establish the brand as one of the nation's leading grapefruit soft drinks.
GROWING WITH THE TIMES
Throughout the twentieth century, Squirt continued to expand through new ownership and wider distribution. In 1941, Squirt introduced its first mascot, a young boy known as "Lil' Squirt," designed by Bruce Bushman to promote the brand and broaden its appeal to families. A major milestone came in 1959, when Squirt was acquired by The Squirt Company of America, expanding its distribution. The brand later became part of the Cadbury Schweppes beverage portfolio in 1986, increasing its manufacturing capacity and distribution throughout the United States and international markets. Squirt expanded its product line with Diet Squirt in 1983, one of the first American soft drinks sweetened with aspartame. The brand also went on to release Berry Squirt, Ruby Red Squirt, additional diet varieties, and Squirt Sorbet. In 2008, Squirt became part of Dr Pepper Snapple Group and later joined Keurig Dr Pepper following the companies' 2018 merger. Today, Squirt remains one of America's best-known grapefruit soft drinks, recognized for its refreshing citrus flavor and long history.
