re: What is your generic name for a carbonated beverage?

I hadn't thought about a "cold drink" in decades! This brought me back to when my memere (not sure how to spell it, but it's what we called our grandmas in south Louisiana) would ask us if we wanted a cold drink. She'd also ask us if we were going to "get down," meaning get out of the car.

In my house, carbonated drinks are always called cokes.

For example:

"Pick up some cokes at the store, okay?"
"What kind?"
"Diet Dr. Pepper."