Roy Rogers Drink
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The iconic Roy Rogers drink is an American classic. Bubbly, cool and refreshing, this fizzy beverage features Coca-Cola and a splash of grenadine over ice. Garnished with maraschino cherries, it’s a homemade cherry cola. Enjoy this special drink all year round.
🍒 Why We Love This Classic Mocktail
- Quick easy drink made with simple ingredients.
- Fizzy ice-cold beverage for hot summer days.
- Classic old-fashioned soda shop taste.
- Versatile recipe. To make a Shirley Temple, just swap out the Coke for lemon-lime soda like 7-up or Sprite. Both drinks, Roy Rogers and Shirley Temple, are garnished the same – with stemmed Maraschino cherries.
- Simple enough for everyday enjoyment.
- Fancy enough to serve at a party.
- A bubbly treat that makes kids and adults feel special.
🧑🏼🍳 About This Iconic Drink
From the 1940s through the 1960s, soda fountains emerged as popular community gathering places serving bubbly carbonated beverages and lunch-counter items like sandwiches, burgers, fries and shakes.
The Roy Rogers drink was introduced at soda fountain venues. An original American mocktail, it’s namesake is the wholesome and charming American singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers (1911-1998). You may be familiar with his theme song Happy Trails from his radio and television shows.
Back in the day, this fruity dark-cola beverage was often marketed as the “masculine version” of the well-known Shirley Temple drink girls would order. But today it’s known as a delicious beverage suitable for soda lovers.
Many of us remember how grown-up we felt as kids when we were allowed to order this famous drink on special occasions. With the growing popularity of mocktails, the Roy Rogers drink is now being enjoyed by new generations.
🛒 Ingredients
- Ice Cubes: Use large cubes for a slower ice melt down to preserve the full undiluted taste of the beverage for as long as possible.
- Grenadine: This non-alcoholic syrup contributes a sweet/tart flavor and adds brilliant red color to the drink.
- Coca-Cola: It’s the authentic soda pop brand for a classic Roy Rogers drink. But feel free to use Pepsi, RC Cola or another brand. I prefer Mexican Coca-Cola made with pure cane sugar. For best results, make sure the soda is cold rather than warm or room temperature.
- Maraschino Cherries: A traditional garnish for this soda fountain drink. They add a festive look and a yummy cherry flavor.
📖 How to Make a Roy Rogers Drink
The perfect ratio of grenadine to soda is found in the recipe card.
- Add grenadine to a tall glass.
- Add ice cubes, filling the glass halfway. Pour in the Coca-Cola.
- Stir briefly to combine. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
- Serve and enjoy immediately.
⏲ RECIPE TIP: For a cold and frosty drink experience, chill a drinking glass in the freezer for 30 minutes to 1 hour before making this mocktail recipe.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQ
These are the most commonly-asked questions for achieving the BEST Roy Rogers drink and the most helpful answers for recipe success.
Both beverages are assembled with grenadine, ice, soda pop and cherries. The Roy Rogers features Coca-Cola or Pepsi, while the Shirley Temple boasts bubbly 7-up, Sprite or ginger ale.
In a medium pot combine 16 ounces 100% pomegranate juice with 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and a splash of vanilla extract. Cook on stovetop over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved and edges of the syrup begin to bubble. Do NOT allow the liquid to boil. Remove from heat. Let the syrup cool completely.
Add a splash of vanilla extract. It will taste like the store-bought version of the beverage: Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla. Some soda pop aficionados prefer a short drizzle of almond extract instead.
Use large clear ice cubes rather than crushed ice, nugget ice, or tiny cylindrical-shaped ice. Larger pieces of ice have more rough surfaces that can trap C02 which likes to escape rather than remain in the liquid. Once enough C02 accumulates, bubbles start forming and rising to the surface. This helps keep the soda extra bubbly and fizzy for longer.
🥤More Refreshing Beverages
There’s nothing better than an ice-cold drink on a hot weather day. The frosty condensation on the glass feels uplifting and rewarding. And sipping the delicious liquid brightens the spirit and quenches thirst. Here are more of our favorite ice-cold beverages.
Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor testers rated this the BEST Roy Rogers drink. According to Grandma, the nostalgic color and flavor of this fizzy beverage are spot-on compared to memories of it served at an old-fashioned neighborhood soda fountain.
If you agree this is a must-make mocktail recipe, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends on Facebook and Twitter. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.
Roy Rogers Drink
- Total Time: 1 Minute
- Yield: 1 Drink 1x
Description
This classic Roy Rogers drink is cold, bubbly, and delicious. Enjoy this fizzy mocktail on a warm-weather day. So satisfying and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons grenadine
- Ice cubes
- 1 12–ounce can (1 1/2 cups) Coca-Cola or Pepsi
- Maraschino cherries, for garnishing
Instructions
- Add grenadine to a tall glass.
- Add ice cubes – fill the glass halfway full.
- Pour soda pop over the ice. Stir briefly to combine.
- Garnish with stemmed maraschino cherries.
Notes
For best results: Use chilled soda, not warm or room temperature soda.
For a cold and frosty drink experience: Chill a drinking glass in the freezer for 30 minutes to 1 hour before making this mocktail recipe.
Homemade grenadine syrup: If you can’t find this bottled ingredient at the store, you can make it at home. In a medium pot combine 16 ounces 100% pomegranate juice with 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and a splash of vanilla extract. Cook on stovetop over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved and edges of the syrup begin to bubble. Do NOT allow the liquid to boil. Remove from heat. Let the syrup cool completely.
- Prep Time: 1 Minute
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stirring
- Cuisine: American
Easy Mocktail Recipe 👉🏻 Join the Conversation
Do you love making and serving mocktails? What do you think about this classic Roy Rogers drink? Does it bring back childhood memories? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.
