*There is some conflict as to date on this one. One site recognizes its celebration on June 20, while another June 30, then, one appears earmarked for July 1 and yet another reflects July 20. Goes to show you even the Internet can mess up the facts. After all, it is human generated! Regardless of the date, it is summer and since the ice cream is melting anyway let's give it a little boost with a splash of soda and celebrate! Ah-h-h! It is absolutely possible you missed your fill on any one of the other dates anyway!
Ice cream sodas were invented by Robert Green in 1874 during Philadelphia's sesquicentennial celebration. Legend has it that Mr. Green added vanilla ice cream to the soda he sold after he ran out of ice (though Mr. Green claims he had dreamt up the innovation prior to the event). Intentional or not, it was a delicious way to keep the sodas cold, and they were an instant hit. Green was so proud of his creation that he even had the phrase “Originator of the Ice Cream Soda” engraved on his tombstone! How cool is that?
These days, there are many delicious variations of the original ice cream soda, including root beer floats, Boston coolers, and purple cows. To celebrate National Ice Cream Soda Day, all you need is soda, a few scoops of ice cream, and a straw!
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| Photo Credit: wikipedia.org |
On a different, yet similar note, do you remember the old-fashioned ice cream soda fountain and why the fountain attendant was called a soda 'jerk'?
Really quite simple. . .the phrase was coined after the jerking movement necessary to release the soda from the tap when pulling the soda draft arm. The Soda Jerk was similar to a bartender, except the beverages were non-alcoholic, consisting only of a soda and ice cream. The 'jerk' soon learned how to put on quite a show with a unique rhythmic movement popular from the 20s through the 50s. Watching the Soda Jerk in action became as entertaining as enjoying the frothy ice cream soda!
Added Bonus...
Click Here for some recipes, i.e., Guinness Extra Stout Ice Cream Float, Pina Colada, Mango Sherbet Drowned in Ginger Ale, Espresso Buzz, and MORE posted to Pinterest on July 20, 2012. Um-m-m-m-m? Maybe that is where one of the mix-ups in the date occurred.
Plan Ahead:
June 20, 2014 is also National Flip Flop Day & National Vanilla Milkshake Day & Take Your Dog To Work Day. There is plenty of time to verify these celebrations before either rolls around again!
My favorite: Cream Soda over Vanilla Ice Cream! What is yours?
We had a soda fountain in one of our drug stores when I was growing up. Miss those days! So much fun.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Nothing like the fountain drinks! Yum!
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