Abstract: A pre-loaded drinking cup includes a carbonate and acid-containing compacted soluble, dry, solid concentrate is preferably adhered, in pellet form, primarily to the inner bottom surface of a stackable, frustro-conical cup. A sugar-sweetened concentrate, including sugar, flavoring and coloring, may be melted and extruded into fibers, much like cotton candy. The acid particles and carbonate particles may then be mixed with the fibers and compacted into a laminar pellet, which may then be adhered to the bottom of the cup using a low temperature, moisture-free adhesive, such as a film of wax. Alternatively, a pellet is formed from alternating layers of acid particles, food material particles such as a sugar-flavoring or soup base, and carbonate particles. Each layer may be applied as an aqueous slurry and allowed to dry before the next layer is applied. For yet another embodiment of the invention, the dry ingredients are mixed with a binder, compacted into a pellet that is adhered to the bottom of the cup.