Green River (soft drink)

Green River is a bright green, lime-flavored soft drink originating in Chicago.

History

The drink was developed in 1919 by the Schoenhofen Brewery of Chicago as a non-alcoholic product for the Prohibition era. It was popular as a soda fountain syrup, trailing only Coca-Cola in popularity throughout the Midwest.^[1] However, after Prohibition ended in 1933 the Schoenhofen Brewery made Green River a second priority to alcoholic drinks. The Brewery then closed in 1950.^[1]

The drink is now owned and produced by the WIT Beverage Company. It is frequently marketed as a nostalgia item and can be found in some Chicago area chain restaurants such as Schoop's Hamburgers, Hackney's, and Pepe's or more generally in supermarkets during the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

The ingredients of the drink currently are: Carbonated water, Cane sugar, citric acid, natural lime oils, yellow #5, and blue #1. There is also a diet version, without sugar.

In pop culture

• Early 20th century entertainer Eddie Cantor, while with the Ziegfeld Follies of 1918, penned a jingle for the soft drink entitled "Green River." The ditty was performed by Cantor and the singing duo, Van and Schenck.^[2]

The refrain was:

• The name for the Creedence Clearwater Revival album Green River was inspired by the drink according to John Fogerty.^[3]

• It is shown being poured by the band Smith Westerns in their "Weekend" video.

References