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Vanilla Ice Cream Drink Recipe: The Boston Cooler

Updated on February 10, 2013

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4.8 stars from 6 ratings of Boston Cooler

What is Vernors ginger ale?

James Vernor is credited with creating a unique Detroit, Michigan beverage called Vernors ginger ale. Different from dry ginger ale, the original sweet version was a mixture of 19 natural flavorings, including vanilla and ginger, then aged in oak barrels. It was an experiment with flavors in attempts to mimic the ginger ale imported from Dublin, Ireland.

Legend has it that this concoction was mixed in 1862 by Vernor just before he went off to join the Civil War. He left the mixture for four years and when he returned and tasted it his opinion was it was, "deliciously different."

Whether this was what he actually said no one knows, however, the slogan stuck with the beverage for many years. What is known is that, according to interview records with James Vernor Jr., the actual formula for the bottled drink came after the 1870, and was not shared as a marketing product until 1880.

Upon his return from the war James Vernor opened a pharmacy and sold his ginger ale there. In 1896 he closed his pharmacy in Detroit, Michigan, and opened a soda fountain store with his son, James Vernor, Jr. Vernor's ginger ale soon became a popular drink throughout Michigan, Ohio and parts of New York.

The Vernor Family sold the company in 1966. Changing ownership one more time, it is currently owned by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Co. from Plano, Texas.

Detroit's Vernor's Ginger Ale
Detroit's Vernor's Ginger Ale | Source

Who invented the ice cream soda?

More than one person has claimed the right to the originator of the ice cream soda: Robert McCay Green, in 1874 of Philadelphia, PA; Fred Sanders, of Detroit, Michigan; Philip Mohr, from New Jersey, in 1782; and George Guy, Robert Green's employee. However, it is Robert Green who is credited with this creative beverage when he added ice cream to soda water with a variety of flavored syrups.

The delicious combination was an instant hit, especially with teen agers. There are many creative names for the ice cream soda, depending on regions of the world and ingredients. Each area seems to have their own specialty. And, in the Detroit, Michigan area of the U.S., this specialty was a combination Vernors ginger ale and vanilla ice cream, Vernor's being the local and most popular ginger ale. The Vernors ice cream soda originally began as a squirt or two of sweet cream added to ginger ale. Vanilla ice cream was later substituted for the cream.

What is the difference between the Vernors ice cream soda and the Boston Cooler

At some point in the late 1800's ice cream soda's became wildly popular to the public. Soda fountains were located where ever a large public gathering was found, such as a drugstore, or the old Woolworth's five and dime.

When James Vernor began bottling and selling his particular brand of ginger ale, the local markets and soda fountains in Detroit would use his product. This included the (Fred) Sanders soda fountain franchises and Elias Brother's Big Boy restaurants. But, any Detroiter knows that, while there may be '31 flavors of Baskin-Robbins' ice cream, there is only one original 'Boston Cooler' and it did not originate from Boston, Massachusetts.

Ice Cream Soda is a glass of flavored soda water with a scoop or two of ice cream-any flavor.

Ice Cream Float is a glass of soda, (called 'pop' in the Midwest), with a dollop or two of ice cream, usually vanilla.

The Boston Cooler is Detroit brand: Vernors Ginger Ale blended with vanilla ice cream in a milkshake consistency.

Ingredients

  • 6-8 oz Vernors Ginger Ale, A sweet ginger ale, not dry
  • 2-3 scoops Vanilla ice cream

Cook Time

Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ready in: 10 min
Yields: 1

Ice Cream Drink: The Boston Cooler

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Best if mixed with a blender.Add a straw and a long handled spoon.Any flavor or brand of vanilla ice cream will work.Best if Vernor's Ginger Ale is used because of its sweet flavor.Fill the blender with ice cream and Vernor'sPower up to mix it.Pour it into a tall glass.Enjoy!
Best if mixed with a blender.
Best if mixed with a blender. | Source
Add a straw and a long handled spoon.
Add a straw and a long handled spoon. | Source
Any flavor or brand of vanilla ice cream will work.
Any flavor or brand of vanilla ice cream will work. | Source
Best if Vernor's Ginger Ale is used because of its sweet flavor.
Best if Vernor's Ginger Ale is used because of its sweet flavor. | Source
Fill the blender with ice cream and Vernor's
Fill the blender with ice cream and Vernor's | Source
Power up to mix it.
Power up to mix it. | Source
Pour it into a tall glass.
Pour it into a tall glass. | Source
Enjoy!
Enjoy! | Source

Vernors ginger ale for your Boston Cooler

Vernors Gingerale Soda, 12 Ounce (12 Cans)
Vernors Gingerale Soda, 12 Ounce (12 Cans)
Only one type of ginger ale is perfect to make the Boston Cooler: golden, Vernors ginger ale. For those who cannot find it in local stores buy it here.
 

How to make a Boston Cooler

  1. Using a blender, pour 6-8 oz of Vernors Ginger Ale into it and add 2-3 scoops of Vanilla flavored ice cream.
  2. Blend until smooth. Serve in a tall glass with a straw and, if necessary, iced teaspoon.
  3. Enjoy

A 12 oz Boston Cooler:

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving
Calories 124
Calories from Fat36
% Daily Value *
Fat 4 g6%
Carbohydrates 23 g8%
Protein 1 g2%
Cholesterol 14 mg5%
Sodium 46 mg2%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.
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