Mineral water, including naturally carbonated water, has long been promoted as a curative for various ailments. The soda fountains of yesteryear-a particularly American phenomenon-were in drug stores for a reason.
http://www.csicop.org/si/show/pop_culture_patent_medicines_become_soda_drinks
However, the uncola wasn't known as 7Up for the first few years of its existence. It was originally christened Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.. In his formulation, Grigg had included lithia, a naturally-occurring substance found in minute quantities in bubbling waters fed by underground springs.
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/7up.asp
1 7Up was the product of seven ingredients. (Which, in a way, was at least true with regard to the classes of ingredients in that original formulation: sugar, carbonated water, essences of lemon and lime oils, citric acid, sodium citrate, and lithium citrate.)  Seven Up has seven letters.
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/7up.asp
This one is probably not a big shocker for you, since many of us still use the miracle tonic to soothe an upset stomach. Originally called Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda, it contained lithium citrate, so it really was a mood-stabilizing drink.
http://theweek.com/articles/469087/10-snack-foods-originally-sold-medicines
As for Bib-Label, it was Howdy Corporation's intent to use paper labels of the sort that could be dropped over the necks of otherwise unlabeled bottles. Fortunately, the unwieldy name was soon morphed to 7Up Lithiated Lemon Soda, and in 1936 the soda was officially re-dubbed 7Up..
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/7up.asp
Like Coke and 7-Up, Dr Pepper was sold as a brain tonic and pick-me-up and was available at drugstores to cure what ails ya. 10. What a great idea — a guilt-free cookie covered in chocolate! The idea started with McVitie's back in 1892.
http://theweek.com/articles/469087/10-snack-foods-originally-sold-medicines
Dr. Pepper was originally sold as a brain tonic that would supposedly energize the consumer. It's one of the most famous examples of patent medicine-turned snack food ever. The original intent of Coca-Cola, as you probably know, was a health drink. It was sold for five cents at soda fountains (a dollar or so in today's money) because people thought carbonated beverages would increase their wellness.
http://theweek.com/articles/469087/10-snack-foods-originally-sold-medicines
Indeed, Vernors brand, said to have originated in 1866, has been called “the first U.S. soft drink” (“Ginger ale” 2010). Then there was Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray, a celery tonic served in New York delicatessens from 1869 and sold as a bottled soda since 1886 (“Dr. Brown's” 2010).
http://www.csicop.org/si/show/pop_culture_patent_medicines_become_soda_drinks
As a society, we delight in the little mysteries that don't immediately yield up their answers, which is why products whose names we can't fathom hold their appeal. One such product is 7Up. Though the soft drink itself is not the least bit mysterious, its name is.
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/7up.asp
Claim: The soft drink 7Up was named for the number of its ingredients. Origins: The power of the enigma lies in its ability to enthrall, to capture the imagination.
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/7up.asp
what soda was originally named bib label...?
7Up Lithiated Lemon Soda was originally named Bib Label. 7Up Lithiated Lemon Soda was originally named bib label.  