Green River (soft drink)

Green River is a bright green, lime-flavored soft drink originating in Chicago.

History

The drink was developed in 1919 by the Schoenhofen Brewery of Chicago as a non-alcoholic product for the Prohibition era. It was popular for decades as a soda fountain syrup, trailing only Coca Cola in popularity [http://www.dggpro.com/TheSodaDepot/browse.asp?page=415 The Soda Depot - Green River Story ] ] . However, after Prohibition ended in 1933 the Schoenhofen Brewery made Green River a second priority to alcoholic drinks. The Brewery then closed in 1950. . It was a fountain drink during the '60s in some drugstore fountains.

The drink is now produced by the Clover Club Bottling Corp. of Chicago [ [http://www.beveragesdirect.com/detail-617-Green_River_Soda_12_Pack_Glass.asp Green River Soda - 12 Pack Glass - BeveragesDirect.com Online Ordering ] ] . It is frequently marketed as a nostalgia item and can be found in some 1950s-themed restaurants, all Hackney's restaurants, or more generally in supermarkets during the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

The ingredients of the drink are: Carbonated water, high fructose corn sweetener, citric acid, natural lime oils, yellow #5, and blue #1. There is also a diet version, without sugar.

In pop culture

*Early 20th Century entertainer Eddie Cantor, while with the Ziegfeld Follies of 1918, penned a jingle for the soft drink entitled "Green River." The ditty was performed by Cantor and the singing duo, Van and Schenck. [ "My Life Is In Your Hands," Eddie Cantor's 1928 autobiography, written with David Freedman.] :The refrain was::"For a drink that's fine without a kick,:Try Green River,:It's the only soft drink you should pick,:Try Green River."

* The name for the Creedence Clearwater Revival album "Green River" was inspired by the drink according to Tom Fogerty [ [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1913 Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival Songfacts ] ] .

References