I still refuse to believe Starfleet’s go-to drink is caffeine-free.
Root beer was just an example of what hoomans like that seems bizarre to other species. If we’re talking DS9 I’d say the go-to drink was all the caffeinated raktajino everyone was pounding
What about my comment implied I didn’t realize that? Anyways, Raktajino was also consumed a lot on Voyager. Its strange that Quark focused on Root Beer in light of all the other stuff people drink, other than, hey, this is the only carbonated thing they drink that’s not caffinated or alcoholic … but that wouldn’t be true either?
He did say “Starfleet” drink a lot of it, not “humans”, so maybe it is just that pupular with Vulcans, Andorians, Tellerites, etc.
Picard has actual earth produced wine from his family’s own ancient vineyard in stock. They usually just don’t drink alcohol unless it’s a special occasion, but synthol has the same effect, it just wears off faster, so people can drink within 4 hours of a shift.