Canada Dry

Canada Dry logo beside an old shop name

Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale Toronto Star ad 1916

Canada dry crop

Feature. Construction in St. Laurent. Canada Dry BAnQ P48S1P13355

Canada Dry is a brand of soft drinks owned since 2008 by the American company Keurig Dr Pepper. For over a century, Canada Dry has been known worldwide for its ginger ale, though the brand also manufactures a variety of other soft drinks and mixers. Despite its name, Canada Dry was founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1904 by pharmacist and chemist John J. McLaughlin.

History[edit | edit source]

John J. McLaughlin, who owned a carbonated water plant in Toronto, created "Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale" in 1904. After several years of experimenting, McLaughlin perfected the formula for his ginger ale, which was less sweet and had a more "dry" taste than other ginger ales on the market, leading to the "Dry" in the product name. The brand gained popularity quickly, and by the 1920s, Canada Dry was being distributed internationally.

In 1923, McLaughlin began to bottle the ginger ale in a green glass bottle to protect its flavor from sunlight. This packaging became iconic for the brand. The company expanded its product line over the years, introducing tonic water, club soda, and other flavored sodas.

Product Range[edit | edit source]

Canada Dry's product line has expanded beyond its original ginger ale to include a variety of flavors and mixers, such as:

Acquisitions and Ownership[edit | edit source]

The brand has changed ownership multiple times throughout its history. It was acquired by the Pottsville, Pennsylvania-based company, P. Ballantine and Sons Brewing Company in 1928, which helped to expand its distribution in the United States. Later, it was sold to Norton Simon, Inc. in 1964, then to RJR Nabisco in 1986, Cadbury Schweppes in 1986, and finally to Keurig Dr Pepper in 2008.

Cultural Impact[edit | edit source]

Canada Dry has been a part of popular culture and has been featured in various films, television shows, and literature, often symbolizing comfort or home remedies, especially its ginger ale, which is commonly associated with soothing stomach aches and nausea.

Controversies[edit | edit source]

In recent years, Canada Dry has faced lawsuits over the authenticity of its claim that its ginger ale contains real ginger. Critics argue that the ginger flavor in the drink comes from a flavor compound, rather than natural ginger root. The company has settled lawsuits but continues to assert that its ginger ale is made with real ginger extract.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Canada Dry Resources
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