Grape Nehi
In older movies you can sometimes hear the characters referring to drinking “Grape Nehi.” I always wondered what happened to this drink that was once so popular.
Nehi, a flavored soft drink, actually had many flavors including Grape, Orange, Root Beer, Lemonade, Peach, Strawberry, Fruit Punch, Wild Red, Pink Lemonade, Chocolate, Blueberry and Blue Cream. Whew! It was founded by Claude Hatcher who began bottling ginger ale and root beer in 1905. This developed into Union Bottle Works in 1924. The Nehi Corporation name was later used in 1928 after the popularity of the soft drinks. The name of the company was changed in 1955 to Royal Crown Company after its RC Cola product.
Today, Nehi is a brand of Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. You can still get these delicious sodas online.
I remember it was Radar’s favorite on M*A*S*H. I had an orange NEHI on vacation, at the old fashioned general store in town.
I found your blog because of the little picture you chose to put on your square.
That’s what first impressions are all about
Re: your post: I always think of Nehru, for some reason. As in nehru collars.
What-ever!
Grape Nehi is my favorite pop but hard to find in the midwest. It is a treat every time I go down south. I wish they still made Nehi Lemonade, I bet that was good.
[...] We picked out a $12 carrot cake then got drinks. Kelly got a bottle of Grape Nehi, the favorite drink of her favorite M*A*S*H character, Radar. I got a cherry soda I’d never heard of before, Cheerwine. [...]
I know you can still but Nehi Grape and Orange Soda in West Virginia.
when I was growing up m- my Dad work for Nehi Bottling in Albany, Ga – my family lived next door the to plant – I was passed grape and orange nehi thru the fence – miss those days
I live in Kentucky and you can buy Nehi about any where. Glass bottle, plastic, about any way you want.
Where I live, Nehi Grape is available at the Old 52 General Store in Sabin, MN in glass bottles. They also sell it online.
My husband and I remember in the 60’s when Nehi was only THE best sodas! I think his and my favorite HAD to be GRAPE… strawberry was next… but they were all good! That’s when you could REALLY taste the flavors the way they SHOULD taste… I just wish i could even get a Nehi bottle just for memories sake.
Ahhh… the GOOD OLD DAYS!
I never drank them growing up, but I absolutely love them now. The store down the street keeps them on hand year around and I prefer Grape Nehi to a Coke or Pepsi anytime.
You can buy Nehi Peach at Shout & Sac in Vinita, Ok in 20 oz. bottles. YUM!!!
In the Cincinnati area you can always pick up a glass bottle or two of Grape Nehi and a few other flavors for less than the grocery stores charge you for a Coke at Jungle Jim’s. And you can find all manner of other nostalgic fun items.