The True History of the Boston Cooler and Its Ties With Michigan

Have you ever wondered why it's called a 'Boston Cooler' if it's made with Vernors? Well, I definitely did. And it's days like this where I'm glad the internet exists.

What Exactly Is a Boston Cooler?

I was doing my thing, riding out this train of thought about Boston Coolers—that delicious combo of Vernors blended with vanilla ice cream. It went something like this: Mmmm… Vernors. Better yet, a Boston Cooler. But wait… why is it called a Boston Cooler if Vernors was invented in Detroit? Shouldn’t it have a Detroit name?

I rode that train-of-thought to its inevitable end: Where was the Boston Cooler invented?

History of the Boston Cooler

As it turns out (and this is where the internet came in handy), there is an interesting history as to how the Boston Cooler came about.

Back in the early 1900s, the Boston Cooler referred to a mix of Sarsaparilla and ginger ale. In the 1910s, it referred to a scoop of ice cream in a half-a-melon. Later, from the 1910s to 1967, it referred to just about any soda and ice cream concoction.

READ ALSO: Why are Michigan Bottle Deposits So High?

It wasn't until 1967 that we would get the Boston Cooler that we know today—Vernors mixed with vanilla ice cream. And yes, specifically Vernors because in 1967, Vernors copyrighted the name so they could sell an ice bar. And what did that ice cream bar have? Vernors mixed with vanilla ice cream.

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Well, there you have it—the slightly complicated history of the Boston Cooler and how it has its history in Detroit. Save that tidbit for your next bar trivia night.