Some fun trivia…
During the 19th century, root beer, birch beer, and ginger ale were plant-based and believed to have medicinal properties. That’s why pharmacies had soda fountains; people sought the perceived health benefits of those beverages and would drink them to cure or aid some physical malady.
Long after the healthcare beliefs had been debunked, soda fountains continued and sold milkshakes, ice cream sodas, malteds, egg creams, and carbonated beverages. Soda fountains existed until the late-20th century; I last saw one about 35 years ago.