Green River (soft drink)

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Green River

Green River is a bright green, lime-flavored soft drink originating in Chicago. The soda pop was named after the "Green River" that can be seen once a year on St. Patrick's Day, when the Chicago River is dyed green.

[edit] History

Schoenhofen Brewery

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[1]. However, after Prohibition ended in 1933 the Schoenhofen Brewery made Green River a second priority to alcoholic drinks. The Brewery then closed in 1950. [2]

The drink is now produced by the Clover Club Bottling Corp. of Chicago [3]. It is frequently marketed as a nostalgia item and can be found in some 1950s-themed restaurants.

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.

[edit] 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. ^[1]

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."