Going ALL THE WAY BACK to 1866, before Michiganders called pop “pop,” soda fountains existed… but not in Michigan. James Vernor’s first soda fountain opened in Detroit and became the first and ONLY place in the world where you could enjoy Vernor’s Ginger Ale. History is one of the 8 best reasons why Vernors should be the Official Drink of Michigan.  Dr. Pepper is proud to have our pharmacist’s creation as part of their practice.  Drpeppermuseum.com has an entire section dedicated to the history of Vernors and notes that “it remains America’s oldest surviving soft drink.”

Screamin’ Scott and I started the petition through Change.org. You don’t have to pay to sign (but they will ask, just pass). Would you be willing to sign and help build momentum for making Vernors The Official Drink of Michigan?  We’d love to have you join our efforts, but we are NOT asking you for funding.   Big Jim’s House, led by the misinformation guru, Ryan Logan, has a petition going for Faygo.  Screamin’ Scott and I think Faygo is a wonderful part of Michigan history… A definite close second place behind Vernors.  If you’d like to sign their petition, CLICK HERE.  I believe it is worth noting that the MOST Detroit based and made pop on the market today is actually TOWNE CLUB.  Scroll down to learn more about Vernors and how special it is to Michigan culture.

The 8 Best Reasons Why Vernors Should Be The Official Drink of Michigan

• Vernor's Is the Original Soft Drink of Michigan

  James Vernor was a junior clerk at a Detroit drugstore when he enlisted in Michigan’s 4th Calvary and went to fight in the Civil War. The next part of James’ story is a direct excerpt for detroithistorical.org:

  “He was experimenting with a stomach-calming tonic of vanilla, spices and ginger, which he left behind in an oak cask. When Vernor returned four years later, he found that his elixir had transformed into a zesty, sweet, gingery drink complimented by the wood’s aging process.”

  James Vernor enlisted to fight in the Civil War. He came back four years later to find his elixir had transformed into something life-changing.  In 1866, James Vernor open the first, and ONLY soda fountain in the world serving Vernor’s Ginger Ale, in Detroit, Michigan.

• First and Foremost Vernors Is Delicious

  Huffpost.com has a great article on Vernors for people unfamiliar with our beloved drink.  I know what you’re thinking, “Who doesn’t know about Vernors?”  Certainly, Vernors had become more of a nationally known product since Dr. Pepper bought it, but Vernors’ biggest consumer bases are Michigan and Florida.  The Huffington Post refers to Vernors’ taste as “like a gingery cream soda and makes Canada Dry taste like Sprite by comparison.” (no offense intended to Canada Dry).

   

• Vernors Is Still Made In Michigan

  It is 100% true that the Vernor family sold the company decades ago.  I don’t know why, and frankly, it’s not my business to get in the Vernor family wallet.  Vernors changed hands several times and ended up part of a worldwide distributor and, in my opinion, a company that very much cares about the future of Vernors.  Dr. Pepper is based out of Texas, but Vernors’ flagship plant is right here in the great state of Michigan.  The plant is located in Holland and is a key production plant for Vernors in Michigan and throughout the midwest.  Vernors is sold in 33 states across the U.S.A.  I feel bad for those other 17 states.

• Vernors Is An Award Winner

  Vernors Ginger Ale has been chosen as the best in many ginger ale favor-tasting comparisons.  It has been named “The Best Ginger Ale” by seriouseats.com, prepfordwife.com, and others plus it has a 4.6 rating by Amazon users.  It’s also  Screamin’ Scott’s (and my) favorite Ginger Ale.

  

• Vernors Is An Ingredient In Many Recipes

  More than one Michigander has commented on how well Vernors works as a mixer with Crown Royal and other liquors.  See Screamin’ Scott’s “Pitch for Vernors” for more drink recipes. Vernors is also great in food recipes.  In the ’50s an entire cookbook of Vernors’ recipes was published!  You can find out more about Vernors’ recipes at thehenryford.org.

   

• Vernors Equals Fond Memories

  Growing up, when I was sick, I remember ONE THING that my mom always gave me: Vernors.  My mom was born in Tennessee but moved to Michigan when she married my dad.  Mom quickly picked up on our Vernors’ tradition.  My brother and both my sisters also have fond memories of being taken care of by our mother.  Part of that care was Vernors.   There was no going for stitches, etc.  Our mom’s first aid kit consisted of butterfly bandaids and Vernors.

   

• Vernors Is The Key Component in a Boston Cooler

  There’s been much debate on the origin of the Boston Cooler. but here, in the metro Detroit area, the definition of a Boston Cooler is Vernors and vanilla ice cream (preferably with Vicky’s Homemade Ice Cream).  The historical argument stems from Detroit’s Boston Avenue which was in close proximity to Vernor’s original soda fountain location.

   

• You Can Drink Vernors WARMED

  The only pop that I know of that’s considered a delicious drink AND has medicinal purposes in Vernors.  While the idea of warm pop may not sound delicious, warm Vernors to soothe an upset stomach or soar throat? Heck yeah.  What other pop, soda, or coke can say that?

  Vernors is considered to be such a “cure-all” by Michiganders that during Covid, the Shelby Township police department (humorously) sprayed everything down with Vernors to combat the virus.

   

• Here's Our Petition One More Time

  Sign the Petition

  Vernor's Ginger Ale has always been the unofficial drink of Michigan... let's make it official! The ball starts rolling here and with you. Please sign the petition to help us make Vernor's the official drink of Michigan. James Vernor was a pharmacist who created this "deliciously different" drink more than 150 years ago right here in the great state of Michigan.

Sign Up For The 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock Insider Newsletter

Get the latest Classic Rock and local stories you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.