It’s the Queen’s 90th Birthday today and to commemorate this special day I am doing a roundup of 5 fabulous posts I have found over the years on the “Early Days” of the Queen’s life (aka The vintage years). Happy Birthday to the Queen!
While scouring the internet for all things vintage and interesting I stumbled upon a cool article about the history of everyone’s favorite Ginger drink..”Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale“. Well maybe it’s not everyone’s favorite but it sure is a fav of mine and also TRULY Canadian (not just using the name here). And since I love sharing cool Toronto history with you, today’s post will be highlights from the beginnings of this drink and then showcasing a bunch of my favorite vintage ads I found from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
Source: eBay
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‘Canada Dry’-Toronto’s Original Beverage and the Champagne of Ginger Ales
The beginning (History Highlights):
Source: BlogTO
*In 1890, Canadian pharmacist and chemist John J. McLaughlin of Enniskillen, Ontario opened a carbonated water plant in Toronto after returning from Brooklyn where he is was working in the pharmacy business.
*McLaughlin set himself the goal of developing a pale, dry ginger ale, ostensibly as a non-alcoholic rival for champagne but more likely in the hope of surpassing the popular ginger ales then on the market (Source).
*In 1904, McLaughlin created “Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale”, which was a refined version of their long produced “McLaughlin’s Belfast Style Ginger Ale”.
*”It has a snap and a tingle; a smart spry taste,” early ads claimed. It was known as “the champagne of ginger ales” for its light taste and was marketed with a beaver icon and a map of Canada (Source).
*Rapid growth and popularity quickly followed after it’s launch, with plants opening up in other areas of Canada and the trade name registered in 1907.
*The sweet drink was even appointed to the Royal Household of the Governor General of Canada where the label featuring a beaver atop a map of Canada was replaced with the present Crown and shield.
*Canada Dry stayed in the family business till the 1920s, where growing popularity in the United States had the family expand into New York City (Note: McLaughlin died suddenly in 1914).
*It was sold in 1923 to P. D. Saylor and Associates, who renamed it Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc. and forever removing the ties to Toronto.
*It has been in United States hands ever since (being purchased by several companies over the years).
Side Note: His brother, Samuel McLaughlin, was busily growing their father’s business into what would eventually become General Motors of Canada during the beginnings of Canada Dry.
Source: Wikipedia
For a full detailed history lesson on Canada Dry make sure you check out the ‘BlogTO’ article HERE.
The Vintage Advertising:
1937-So many “Remedies” from one drink. Love the tennis outfit on our lovely cover model.
Esther Williams for Canada Dry, 1956. Do you think those are her kids (according to the ad) or “fake kids”?
Another endorsement ad- Mary Hartline, 1951. Mary is wearing a cute 1950s skating outfit.
Source: flickr
Annie Oakley loves her Ginger Ale and some great BBQ recipes.
Source: Attic Paper
Lastly, here is a Vintage (1930’s ish) Canada Dry Ginger Ale Recipe Book that I recently stumbled upon on Etsy. “When its Party Time its Canada Dry time!”
Souce: Etsy
What fun Party Drink Recipes for Kids on this page (and adults too). Great ideas for your next Holiday Party, Birthday Party or Zoom Party!
