If ever there was an official state drink for the state of Michigan, it would be Vernors. We Michiganders swear by the this tasty elixir for its medicinal qualities…and for its delicious, bubbly taste.
It’s for these reasons that Vernors has gone on to achieve legendary status and has endured for the last 150 years when all other fizzy soft drinks have faltered. It’s in that vein that we celebrate this lauded pop’s anniversary by telling its story and a few Vernors secrets you may never heard of until now.
- Vernors ginger ale was introduced 150 years ago, in 1866 by Detroit pharmacist James Vernor.
Majiscup - The Papercup & Sleeve/Flickr
- Legend has it that before the Civil War, Vernor had experimented with flavors for a popular ginger ale in Ireland.
Bill Walsh/Flickr It’s said that the formula contained medical tonic, vanilla and spices, with a touch of ginger to soothe a sour stomach. He was called for service so the formula was stored in an oak cask. Four years later, he returned from battle, tapped the keg, and Vernors was born.
- By 1896, the blossoming popularity of his drink led Vernor to establish his own soda fountain store.
David Marvin/Flickr For years, the only place one could buy a Vernors was from the fountain in James Vernor’s pharmacy at 233 Woodward Ave in downtown Detroit, until it became readily available in soda fountains across the city. Pictured here, an old Vernors mural recently uncovered on a wall on McNichols.
- It’s no longer made in Michigan, it’s owned by Dr. Pepper Snapple, but still bottled in Holland, Mich. and remains the oldest, continually produced pop in the U.S.
kristy/Flickr
- This gnome-like character known as Woody was used from the turn of the century until 1987. He returned after a hiatus in 2002.
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr
- Today, Michiganders everywhere continue to use it as a cure for all that ails you.
Derek Bruff/Flickr
- It’s also got a signature float, the Boston Cooler, made with scoops of vanilla ice cream (pictured here). And is often mixed into drinks…
David Silverman/Flickr It can even be baked into cakes, baked beans, added to glazes.
What a refreshing bit of history, huh? Tell us, can you remember when you had your first swig of delicious Vernors?
Majiscup - The Papercup & Sleeve/Flickr
Bill Walsh/Flickr
It’s said that the formula contained medical tonic, vanilla and spices, with a touch of ginger to soothe a sour stomach. He was called for service so the formula was stored in an oak cask. Four years later, he returned from battle, tapped the keg, and Vernors was born.
David Marvin/Flickr
For years, the only place one could buy a Vernors was from the fountain in James Vernor’s pharmacy at 233 Woodward Ave in downtown Detroit, until it became readily available in soda fountains across the city. Pictured here, an old Vernors mural recently uncovered on a wall on McNichols.
kristy/Flickr
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr
Derek Bruff/Flickr
David Silverman/Flickr
It can even be baked into cakes, baked beans, added to glazes.
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