Bill Doyle’s infatuation with black cherry soda

For most of my life, I didn’t like soda and rarely drank it. Within the past few years, however, something must have changed with my tastebuds because all of a sudden, I want to drink soda.

I quickly learned that I didn’t really like the mainstream sodas. Your Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, etc. My first phase was all about the root beer. I just couldn’t get enough of Mug, Stewart’s, IBC; I only stayed away from Barq’s because it has caffeine and the others don’t. I then switched to regular Fresca and then Black Cherry Fresca. Well, now I lust after Black Cherry soda, and there are a lot of them; Stewart’s, IBC, Doc Brown, and then the best: Canada Dry Black Cherry Wishniak. Heretofore, I have only been able to find it in 20 ounce bottles at Wawa. With a little investigation, I discovered that black cherry soda is very popular in the Philadelphia area, which explains why Wawa would have it. With a little more investigation, I found out some Shop-Rites carried the two liter bottle (and for less than I was paying for the smaller bottle at the convenience store). Unfortunately, I do not live close enough to Philly for my Shop-Rite to carry the Canada Dry product. But then I realized that the radio station might be considered in that area since it is closer to the Philly market.

I went to the store with tempered enthusiasm this week, halfway expecting the shelf to be empty (I had gone to one in Lawrence and had that experience). At this store, however, the shelf was NOT bare. Before me in a beautiful array, gleaming in the bath of fluorescent lights was row after row of Canada Dry Black Cherry Wishniak in two liter bottles. I bought twelve two-liter bottles (just in case they discontinue it) and plan on going back for more. According to Wikipedia, the soda is produced in Pennsauken, NJ. Long live the wishniak!