Canada Dry
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History
John J. McLaughlin was the older son of Robert McLaughlin, whose wagon factory, located in Oshawa, Ontario was the largest such business in the British Empire. His brother, Robert Samuel "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin, took control of his father's firm and steered it into the automobile business—a move which resulted in it becoming General Motors of Canada in 1916. However, John also enjoyed considerable success in his own business.
In 1890, Canadian pharmacist John J. McLaughlin opened a carbonated water plant in Toronto. In 1904, he created Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale. When McLaughlin began shipping his product to New York, New York in 1919, it became so popular that he opened a plant in Manhattan shortly thereafter. Due to its popularity, P. D. Saylor and Associates bought the business from McLaughlin and Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc. was born.
Canada Dry's popularity as a mixer began during Prohibition, when its flavor helped mask the taste of homemade liquor. In the 1930s, Canada Dry expanded worldwide, and from the 1950s onward, the company introduced a larger number of products. Today, Canada Dry is owned by Cadbury-Schweppes, but the ginger ale bottles often bear a map of Canada as part of the beverage's logo.
The identification with Canada and the ownership and production by other countries has often led to mix-ups in the consumer market. For instance, when the brand was boycotted in some parts of the United States when the U.S. government reproached Canada for not participating in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Texan producers and British owners of Canada Dry complained that the boycott was hurting what was then an ally of the U.S. instead of Canada.
Products
Canada Dry Ginger Ale is the most popular of Canada Dry's products, and probably the most well recognized brand of ginger ale in North America.
Products:
- Canada Dry Ginger Ale
- Diet Canada Dry Ginger Ale
- Canada Dry Club Soda
- Canada Dry Tonic Water
- Canada Dry Golden Cockerel Ginger Beer
- Sussex Golden Ginger Ale (this may only be available in Canada)
- Cranberry Ginger Ale
- Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale
Quote
"Dean Martin saw a sign saying "Drink Canada Dry", so he went there and he did." - Dave Allen, similarly attributed to Irish writer Brendan Behan as "I saw a notice which said, 'Drink Canada Dry' and I've just started."
"Nixon drinks Canada Dry" - slogan on a button sold by the Waffle in the 1970s protesting American economic domination of Canada.
"It has the color of alcohol... tastes like alcohol... but it isn't alcohol" - French slogan of the drink, which got spoofed several timesfr: Canada Dry