Splash of Soda

Are you enjoying all of the June celebrations? The answer to that question should definitely be YES! Most important is to not forget June is National Dairy Month during which time a summer favorite is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavors - none other than ICE CREAM!

June 20 has been tagged... 

National Ice Cream Soda Day!

But, so has June 30, July 1 and July 20 according to different sources on the web. June 20th is the day closest at hand so that is going to be our first celebration of (maybe, maybe not) National Ice Cream Soda Day! With the summer heat, the ice cream is already melting as soon as it is out of the freezer so let's give it a little boost with a splash of soda and celebrate!

A Double Berry Dose of Ice Cream!

Take the time to enjoy this frothy drink. All it takes is a few scoops of your favorite ice cream, same flavor or different flavors, drenched in any carbonated beverage. It is the perfect cooling solution on a sizzling June day (or any summer day for that matter). 

When did this frothy beverage get its start? Robert Green invented Ice cream sodas in 1874 during Philadelphia's sesquicentennial celebration. Legend has it Mr. Green added vanilla ice cream to the soda he sold after he ran out of ice (he claims dreaming up the concoction prior to the event). Intentional or not, the sodas remained cold and were an instant hit! Green was so proud of his creation the phrase "Originator of the Ice Cream Soda" is engraved on his tombstone! 

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, remember all you need is soda, a few scoops of ice cream and of course, don't forget the straw! Plop a scoop of whipped cream on top, add a cherry and ooh-la-la!

A step back in time. . .
 

The Passion of Former Days: The Soda Shop

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 the image or here for some really unique 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.

More to Celebrate on this day!

National Vanilla Milkshake Day

June 20, 2014 is also National Flip Flop Day & Take Your Dog To Work Day. There is plenty to celebrate!

My favorite: Cream Soda over Vanilla Ice Cream! What is yours?  

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!