Jerking Around #0(b) - What is "soda"?

[freetrav]

In online chat a couple of nights ago, I was discussing the plan for the Jerking Around series, and someone reminded me that "soda" doesn't have a consistent meaning. So, I decided that I need to clarify: for the purposes of these posts,

soda

a beverage that is both carbonated and non-alcoholic

I had considered adding the qualification "and is not marketed as a replacement for beer", but I decided that even though I'm not a beer drinker, it wouldn't be fair to completely eliminate from consideration such beverages as O'Doul's or Malta. This type of 'soda' is going to be pretty low on the list of sodas to review, though. They'll pop up ... eventually.