Coffee syrup

Coffee syrup is a beverage additive typically found in Rhode Island. Made of three ingredients (water and sugar strained through coffee grounds), this syrup is used in other local cuisine such as coffee milk and coffee cabinets.

Originally produced in the 1930s in corner drug stores, coffee syrup was targeted towards children, while their parents drank hot coffee. Due to the popularity of this product, coffee syrup was bottled and sold by merchants. In 1993 coffee syrup was competing against Del's Lemonade (another local drink) and won the title of official drink of Rhode Island.

History

• 1895: Autocrat coffee syrup was founded by Frank O. Field.
• 1930: Coffee milk was first introduced to Rhode Island.
• 1932: Silmo Packing company, New Bedford, Massachusetts began a version called "coffee syrup" under their company's name.
• 1938: Eclipse of Warwick also made their own version of coffee syrup. They had a slogan to go along with it, "You'll smack your lips if it's Eclipse."
• 1940: Autocrat of Lincoln, Rhode Island began to make a mixture of corn syrup and coffee extract. They also had a slogan which was, "A swallow will tell you."
• 1991: The companies Autocrat and Eclipse were rivalries in the coffee syrup business, but this ended in 1991 when Aurocrat bought out Eclipse. Autocrat bought the brand name and the secret formula. Both of these labels are produced by Autocrat and available to buy in stores.

See also

• Camp Coffee