History of ginger ale

Ginger was a very common ingredient in drinks and was referenced in brewed beverages for centuries prior to the soda fountains popularity. It was a small step from soda water to flavored beverages. Ginger ale is usually credited with being the first commercial carbonated beverage.

Though the precise circumstances of its invention remain unknown, ginger ale, also called ginger champagne or gingerade, achieved immediate fame throughout the British Isles and overseas as a product of Belfast.

Vernor's Ginger Ale

Ginger ale was advertised in Baltimore, Maryland as early as 1818, by J. De Gruchy. The advertisement highlighted a list of artificial mineral waters and only one flavored soda, labeled ginger ale.

A simple homemade version was promoted in the 1820’s in an article titled ‘Ginger Ale’ from the Providence Patriot (1821).

Commercial ginger ale appears to have been first marketed in 1866 by James Vernor, a Detroit pharmacist, who created Vernor’s Ginger Ale. He experimented with flavors, such as ginger and vanilla, hoping to duplicate a ginger ale imported from Ireland. He registered trademarks date in 1880.

Other soda beverages, such as Hires Root Beer, Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and Dr Pepper, followed.
History of ginger ale