Ben And Erin Napier's Old-School Burger Tradition Comes With This Classic Soda

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There are few things nicer than regularly sharing a simple pleasure with someone you care about, and for a lot of people, that means getting a go-to order at their favorite local burger joint. Erin and Ben Napier, the hosts of the HGTV series "Home Town," are no exception — the professional home-restoring couple's old-school burger tradition always includes a pair of cherry Sprites.

This tradition is regularly enjoyed at the Phillips Drive-In, a popular institution and the oldest restaurant in the Napiers' hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. Speaking to Southern Weddings, Erin explained: "On Saturdays, we always have burgers and cherry Sprites for lunch at the old Phillips Drive-In downtown." The cherry Sprite is not pre-mixed, but is instead regular Sprite boosted with cherry syrup at no additional cost. 

This old-school touch harkens back to the origins of cherry soda. In the 19th century, soda fountains used syrups like cherry to produce the very first flavored sodas. By the early 20th century, cherry soda was among America's most popular beverages. Sprite Cherry came about thanks to Coca-Cola's Freestyle fountains, which allow drinkers to create their own custom drinks (if you're one of them, check out this quick tip to avoid flavor mix-ups at Coca-Cola Freestyle drink fountains). 

The cherry-flavored Sprite served at the Napiers' favorite eatery has a particularly fresh selling point you won't find in the store-bought variety — crushed cherries. Erin elaborated in an interview with the Daily Advertiser. "I always get a Sprite with real crushed cherries," she said. "I would love to have one right now." Erin further revealed that her usual order was a number one (a burger with ketchup, mustard, pickles, and onions), while Ben opts for a "jumbo" number three (a burger with two patties, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles), with both favoring a side of tater tots.

Beyond the Phillips Drive-In, the Napiers are also patrons of other Laurel dining establishments. One is Pearl's Diner, which offers Southern cuisine like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and a delectable-sounding banana pudding cheesecake. Erin and Ben are also fans of Mimmo's Ristorante Pizzeria. Should you be passing through Laurel, you can also check out the local Corn Dog 7, the 1970s chain fondly remembered for its fried fair food.

Sprite Cherry is far from the only cherry-flavored soda out there — there's Coca-Cola Cherry, Pepsi Max Cherry, and the beloved southern soft drink Cheerwine. However, if you'd like to emulate the Napiers' old-school favorite, all you need to make one yourself is Sprite, crushed cherries, and a good syrup, such as DaVinci Gourmet Cherry Syrup.