Strawberry Soda

Hey there, some of you know I’m a fan of the Strawberry Soda. The last place I got a “true” strawberry soda is The Bluebird restaurant in Logan, Utah.

A little history on the “soda jerk” who worked behind the counter. He got his name because of the jerking action on the fountain spigot to add the soda water to different drinks. He also called out customer orders, for example:

“Black Cow”- root beer float

“Break it and Shake it”- put eggs in

“Cat Beer”- milk

“Dog Soup”- water

“Eve with the Lid On”- Apple pie

“Hold the Hail”- no ice

“Houseboat”- banana split, and

“Purple Cow”- grape soda with vanilla ice-cream. That reminded me of a poem we recited as children.

I never saw a Purple Cow,

I never hope to see one;

But I can tell you, anyhow,

I'd rather see than be one.

-       Gelett Burgess, 1895

Perhaps Mr. Burgess was actually inspired to write his poem by the local soda jerk. But instead, the poem has taken on the meaning of doing something remarkable, or different.

One last note on the soda. Sodas from the old 1920’s soda fountain, had ice-cream, carbonated water (from a machine), and flavored syrup. An updated home version includes milk, ice-cream, strawberries, sugar, and ginger ale (club soda, or seltzer water) You process it in a blender and then add the carbonated beverage. Give it a try!

(top soda photo) Unsplash- sebasiancoman