Father's Day
A Tribute to Woody (Homemade Ginger Ale Float)
Popular on Food52
127 Reviews
Catrina B.
October 15, 2019
Quite delicious! My kids and I had floats for dessert and they said it was the best! The taste was well-balanced, and just gingery enough. If I was going to make it for “adult beverages”, I might take the ginger up a notch. Very tasty though, reminded me of my childhood, and it was awesome sharing it with my little foodies.
tommy G.
September 4, 2014
Does anyone remember Vernor's ice cream bars? I used to buy them in the showroom of the bottling plant on Woodward Avenue back in the early '70s. They were available in a vending machine for ten cents and, to my knowledge, nowhere else. As I recall, the bar was Vernor's-flavored ice cream with a butterscotch coating. Delicious.
Stephanie
April 19, 2014
I had a late dinner tonight so I decided to make this for a later night snack. It taste really good. I don't like things that are too sweet so this is good for me. I used 1/4 raw sugar instead of white sugar. Paired it with SoDelicious Frozen Coconut Milk and a few banana slices...yummy! Oh, I forget the seltzer water but I don't think it made a big difference.
Misty T.
March 1, 2014
I have lived in Indiana my whole life & for some reason, we always had Vernor's Ginger Ale. Michigan relatives maybe. I love, love, love that stuff. Def. can still get it here.
inpatskitchen
March 2, 2014
So glad that you can make the float anytime you want! And welcome to Food52!
frog
January 12, 2014
Verner's is currently owned by Dr Pepper Snapple and the recipe has changed. It now has high fructose corn syrup and artificial ginger flavoring. reed's Ginger Beer would be closer, though not as sweet, to the original Verner's Ginger Ale.
sboulton
October 15, 2019
I agree it's not the same Vernors that I remember growing up in Detroit. But, I still drink it. In the summer, my mom would make us floats, and in the winter when we got sick she would make us a "Boston Cooler" which was warm milk with Vernors. It went down easy, but I have no idea why it's called a Boston Cooler.
susielou
January 12, 2014
I grew up in Detroit and went to James Vernor Elementary School; every Christmas and Easter there were huge kegs of Vernors, and all kids were given a glass. The best tour ever was of the Vernor plant, and watching all the bottles go by. At the end of the tour we were given Vernor's ice cream floats. Wonderful!
By the way, another drink from childhood is the brown cow: chocolate ice cream and root beer.
By the way, another drink from childhood is the brown cow: chocolate ice cream and root beer.
inpatskitchen
January 12, 2014
So happy that this brought back wonderful memories for you! I too, remember touring the Vernor's plant as a kid. And Vernors is in the shopping cart almost every week!
Joanna B.
June 17, 2013
I've tried SO many recipes for ginger ale. This is by far the BEST! It was quick and easy, and the end result was nothing short of delicious.
sofia J.
May 21, 2013
Ginger ale from scratch?? Guess it's possible but I still stand by my favorite VERNERS!!!
inpatskitchen
May 21, 2013
Oh me too sofia. But there are many who can't get Vernors where they live and this is a pretty good "clone"!
80jones
July 22, 2012
This was delish on a hot summer day. I'm thinking the ginger syrup would make a good general purpose mixer.
inpatskitchen
July 22, 2012
I'm sooo glad you enjoyed this and actually a while back the Food52 people had a cocktail party and used the syrup for Moscow Mules. Their recipe is at the end of the article here:
http://www.food52.com/blog/2969_a_food52_cocktail_party
http://www.food52.com/blog/2969_a_food52_cocktail_party
everblessed
October 19, 2011
Just made the syrup tonight and my house smells heavenly. Can't wait to mix it tomorrow. Thank you for the recipe!!!
inpatskitchen
November 4, 2011
Thank you so much everblessed...so sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I'm still not getting notifications or comments through e-mail. I hope you enjoyed!! ( I was just here to get my recipe too(LOL)
inpatskitchen
November 4, 2011
Thank you so much everblessed...so sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I'm still not getting notifications or comments through e-mail. I hope you enjoyed!! ( I was just here to get my recipe too(LOL)
Sue D.
July 16, 2011
Tried this recipe about a month ago and have been dreaming of making more ever since. This wonderful recipe is simple, refreshing and fantistically bright tasting. I can never again sip commercially available genger ale, this recipe ended that practice. My experience of making and enjoying this amazing beverage was a satisfying adventure!
inpatskitchen
July 16, 2011
I'm so glad you enjoyed Sue D....it's really a hit at our house ( I'm into simple and easy!)
sboulton
June 19, 2011
I'm from Detroit and remember countless trips to the Vernor's Plant on Woodward, with its gleaming copper kettles in the window. The canned stuff they sell now in California doesn't even resemble the original. It was the best, especially when you were sick and Mom made a "Boston Cooler" . Thanks for this, it brings back those wonderful flavors.
inpatskitchen
June 20, 2011
Thank you sboulton! The new concoction isn't as "fizzy" as it once was, I know, but the flavor is still classic!
liamoran
June 17, 2011
This was so amazing. I made it earlier in the week and will make the syrup for a non-alcolic option for my summer dinner party tomorrow! Love it. Good job and congratulations!
liamoran
June 17, 2011
I meant "non-alcoholic". I got so excited about your ginger ale I couldn't type. :)
Oui, C.
June 16, 2011
Congratulations! This looks so dang good, can't wait to try it with the kids....I'll be their hero with this recipe! - S
nicci
June 15, 2011
Congratulations!! I LOVE Vernor's. They don't have it in Hawaii but they should!
fiveandspice
June 15, 2011
Congrats on a well deserved win! If I weren't on the road, I would be making one of these for myself tonight!
GiGi26
June 15, 2011
Congratulations!!!!! It's good to be from Detroit!! Thanks Woody for inspiring her!
Lizthechef
June 15, 2011
Congratulations! We drank Vernors when I was a student at Kalamazoo College - great for hangovers. Love your recipe!
inpatskitchen
June 15, 2011
Thank you...I never thought of the hangover thing...I'll have to try it!!
LC R.
June 12, 2011
I love this recipe because it is inspired, yet "old fashioned." A real winner in my book!
gingerroot
June 10, 2011
This sounds really amazing! Congrats on being a finalist - I can't wait to try this!
Pat E.
June 10, 2011
My grandfather in Detroit used to make this for us when we were little...but he called them "Boston Coolers". Does anyone else know that name ?
inpatskitchen
June 10, 2011
You're right Pat.. they are known as Boston Coolers around here too...but I've read that a Boston Cooler refers to other floats and shakes around the country also and didn't want to confuse anyone
sfmiller
June 12, 2011
Fun recipe that evoked major food memories. Growing up in central Michigan, I put away dozens of Vernor's floats as a kid.
What we called a Boston Cooler was Vernor's and vanilla ice cream blended like a milk shake--which is darn good too.
What we called a Boston Cooler was Vernor's and vanilla ice cream blended like a milk shake--which is darn good too.
boulangere
June 13, 2011
I've got 2 cans of Vernor's hidden away in my fridge at work . . . . oh lucky me! Congratulations on your finals and thank you!
Meatballs&Milkshakes
June 10, 2011
This looks great! I made some ginger simple syrup to sweeten some iced tea, but I'll use the leftovers to do this later! Congrats!
inpatskitchen
June 10, 2011
I guess the glitch in the replies still isn't fixed, so thanks again all for your kind words!
SouffleBombay
June 10, 2011
I LOVE ginger, and have never attempted to make a ginger syrup - lovely idea! Good luck!
inpatskitchen
June 10, 2011
Thanks lapadia..when Vernors was sold some years back Woody the Gnome was removed from the bottle/can, but I can assure yu he's back now!
lapadia
June 10, 2011
Congrats and luck to you, ipk! BTW - Amazon.com link to Vernors, which I have seen without the gnome, however if you scroll down on Amazon's page you will see reference him: http://www.amazon.com/Vernors-Ginger-Ale-4-6pks/dp/B0016861BM
TheWimpyVegetarian
June 9, 2011
I'm not familiar with Vernor's - not sure they make it west to California, but now I want to try it. So I'll definitely be making your recipe. I love floats with ginger ale - takes me right back to my childhood! Many congrats and good luck!!
Pat E.
June 10, 2011
Oh yes...we have it in SoCal. It's the best. The bubbles really go up your nose.
inpatskitchen
June 10, 2011
You're never too old for a ginger ale float...thank you ...let me know how you like it
Peter
June 9, 2011
Sorry all, I don't have anything insightful to say -- I just need to test something in the recipe comments. That said, congrats on making the finals -- looks delish!
lorigoldsby
June 9, 2011
Congrats on your EP...good luck. We also like Vernor's. You described the different taste quite accurately!
inpatskitchen
June 10, 2011
Thank you lorigoldsby ( and I'm thrilled that you and your Mom liked the Red Pepper aioli)
ingrid.goodman1
June 9, 2011
I just ordered 18 bottles from Michigan. The shipping cost more than soda. Can not find in Manhattan. So excited to try ginger syrup recipe. Attended James Vernor elementary school in Detroit.
inpatskitchen
June 10, 2011
I'm always happy when people say they love Vernors..Can you ask your grocer to get some for you?
midnitechef
June 9, 2011
Being a Canadian, Canada Dry is the only "real" pop I can find in the South, unless I come across Coke/Pepsi made in Mexico, where they still use real cane sugar, not corn syrup.
This recipe may well be a great replacement for those times Canada Dry can't be found.
This recipe may well be a great replacement for those times Canada Dry can't be found.
Hilarybee
June 9, 2011
Michigan take over =) I'm going to try take this to a dinner party tonight. Too hot to bake anything, so this will be lovely. Vernor's is my favorite and I can't stand to see the shelves stocked with Canada Dry. What is that?!
mariaraynal
June 9, 2011
Michigan gal reporting for duty! Vernors is a legend here, and I'm so happy to see this great recipe as a finalist. A few years ago, my friends and I glammed it up a bit by mixing vodka, Vernors and a big squeeze of lime. Great summer cocktail. Congratulations inpatskitchen!
MrsWheelbarrow
June 9, 2011
Vernors! OMG Love that stuff. When we drive back to MI (my husband's home, I'm from NW Ohio, so still Vernors territory) we bring back CASES!
I am so making this.
I am so making this.
inpatskitchen
June 9, 2011
Thanks everyone!! There must be a glitch in the system because my personal thanks are showing up all over the place. I'll keep trying but in the meantime I'm surprised, excited and so flattered!!
fiveandspice
June 9, 2011
Congratulations! I so, so want this right now! It's stinkin' hot out there and perfect weather for ice cream drinks. And I will flip over anything that has ginger syrup in it. I can't wait to give it a try!
lastnightsdinner
June 9, 2011
Vernor's! Ah, you're making me homesick :) Congrats - this sounds great!
hardlikearmour
June 5, 2011
My Dad loved the original Vernor's! Thanks for the facsimile. I'll make a batch when he visits later this summer.
wssmom
May 31, 2011
This is amazing! I have never been to Michigan by the Spouse swears by it! Thanks for posting!
inpatskitchen
May 31, 2011
If you can't find Vernors try this.. I know I don't have the 19 ingredients that Vernors swears by, but it really is a reasonable facsimile...is your husband from Michigan?
See what other Food52ers are saying.