Classic Soda Fountains
Instructions: Step up to the counter and test your memories of the beloved soda fountain era of drugstores and diners!
- 1.
What was the name of the person who operated the soda fountain at a drugstore?
ABartenderBFountain clerkCSoda jerkDCounter man - 2.
What classic soda fountain treat combined soda water, flavored syrup, and a scoop of ice cream?
AIce cream floatBMaltCEgg creamDMilkshake - 3.
What New York City soda fountain specialty combined chocolate syrup, milk, and seltzer water but contained no eggs or cream despite its name?
AManhattan ShakeBBrooklyn FizzCEgg CreamDNew York Special - 4.
What was a 'phosphate' at a soda fountain?
AA health tonicBFlavored syrup mixed with carbonated water and acid phosphateCA type of milkshakeDA vitamin supplement drink - 5.
What was the difference between a milkshake and a 'malt' at a soda fountain?
AA malt used heavy creamBA malt added malted milk powderCThere was no differenceDA malt used chocolate only - 6.
What classic sundae featured vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry?
AHot Fudge SundaeBBanana SplitCTin Roof SundaeDChocolate Sundae - 7.
Where were soda fountains most commonly found in American towns from the 1920s through the 1960s?
AMovie theatersBDepartment storesCDrugstores and pharmaciesDGrocery stores - 8.
What was a 'Suicide' or 'Graveyard' at the soda fountain?
AA mix of every available soda flavorBAn overloaded milkshakeCAn extra-large sundaeDA very strong coffee - 9.
What was the classic soda fountain dessert that featured a banana split lengthwise with three scoops of ice cream and various toppings?
ABanana RoyaleBBanana SplitCTriple Scoop SpecialDBanana Boat - 10.
What type of seating was most iconic at a soda fountain counter?
AWooden chairsBStanding onlyCChrome swivel stools with vinyl seatsDBooth seating - 11.
What was a 'Cherry Coke' at the soda fountain before it became a bottled product?
AA Coca-Cola mixed with cherry juiceBA cherry soda with CokeCCoca-Cola with cherry flavoring syrup added by the soda jerkDCherry-flavored cola - 12.
What glass container was used to serve milkshakes at the soda fountain, with the extra portion served alongside in the metal mixing cup?
AA tulip glassBA tall fountain glassCA mason jarDA pint glass - 13.
Which Cherry syrup brand was most closely associated with old-fashioned soda fountain cherry phosphates and Cokes?
AGrenadine by Rose'sBMoninCToraniDMaraschino - 14.
What was a 'Dusty Miller' at the soda fountain?
AA chocolate sundae with malt powderBA vanilla milkshake with cookie crumbsCA root beer float with whipped creamDA sundae with chocolate ice cream and malt powder on top - 15.
What non-alcoholic cocktail, made with ginger ale, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry, was named after a famous child actress?
AShirley TempleBBetty BoopCLittle Orphan AnnieDGinger Rogers
Answer Key
The soda jerk got the name from the jerking motion used to pull the draft arms of the soda fountain. It was a coveted job for young men in the 1940s and 1950s.
The ice cream float (or ice cream soda) was a soda fountain staple, combining carbonated soda with a scoop of ice cream on top. Root beer floats were especially popular.
The Egg Cream, a classic New York soda fountain drink, contains neither egg nor cream. It's made with chocolate syrup (traditionally Fox's U-Bet), milk, and seltzer water.
A phosphate was a refreshing drink made by mixing flavored syrup with carbonated water and a dash of acid phosphate, which gave it a distinctive tangy flavor.
A malt (or malted milkshake) was made by adding malted milk powder to a standard milkshake, giving it a distinctive rich, slightly nutty flavor.
The Hot Fudge Sundae was the crown jewel of soda fountain desserts, featuring warm chocolate fudge sauce over cold vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top.
Soda fountains were most commonly located inside drugstores and pharmacies. The combination of a pharmacy and soda fountain was a fixture of Main Street America.
A Suicide (or Graveyard) was made by mixing a splash of every available soda flavor together. Kids loved ordering this wild combination at the fountain.
The Banana Split was invented in 1904 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It traditionally features a banana split lengthwise with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream, plus assorted toppings.
Chrome swivel stools with round vinyl-covered seats lined the soda fountain counter. Spinning on these stools was a favorite activity for children while waiting for their treats.
Before Cherry Coke was bottled in 1985, soda jerks would add a pump of cherry syrup to regular Coca-Cola at the fountain. It was a popular customization for decades.
Milkshakes were served in tall, fluted fountain glasses, and the extra portion from the metal mixing cup was placed alongside so the customer got every last drop.
Rose's Grenadine was the standard cherry-flavored syrup used at soda fountains for cherry phosphates, Cherry Cokes, and Shirley Temples throughout the mid-20th century.
A Dusty Miller was a chocolate sundae sprinkled with malted milk powder, giving it a distinctive 'dusty' appearance and rich malt flavor.
The Shirley Temple was named after the beloved child movie star and was the go-to fancy drink for children at restaurants and soda fountains throughout the 1930s and beyond.