Correct me if I am wrong. When something is created originally, a copyright or I guess because it's a drink, something similar to a copyright is made.
(I think it was) Schwepps? that originally created ginger ale. Anyway, some company originally made the first ginger ale way back when. Other companies that make ginger ale using the same recipe afterwards have to give schwepps a small fee, or maybe it was for using the name ginger ale in their product, one of the two. (Think Coca Cola.)