The Wonderful Taste and History of That Green Soda with deep roots in Illinois
Green River Soda used to be quite a treat in my house when I was a child. My parents grew up on it and carried on the tradition with myself and my brother. We would either have it out of the bottle or in a Green River Soda, YUM!. I remember back in the nineties, Beef-A-Roo offered it. Now when I can get it, most of the time from Woodman's, when they have it, I make a Green River Soda and it just takes me back to that wonderful time of my youth.
Green River soda is a nostalgic soft drink with a storied past that dates back over a century.
It was first formulated in 1919 in Davenport, Iowa, by the Schoenhofen Edelweiss Brewing Company, one of the many breweries impacted by the start of Prohibition. The distinctive soda’s bright green color and unique lime flavor quickly caught on as a popular alternative to beer. Though many other breweries struggled during Prohibition, Green River thrived, especially in the Midwest, carving out a special place in soda history as a beloved regional drink.
After Prohibition ended, Green River remained a well-known soft drink but struggled to maintain the same level of popularity as other national brands. However, it continued to have a cult following, especially in Chicago, where it became associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations due to its vibrant green color. The drink’s visibility faded over the decades as larger soda brands took over the market, but the Green River brand was kept alive by loyal fans and regional bottling companies.
Today, Green River is still produced and remains a Midwestern icon.
Its legacy is carried forward by WIT Beverage Company, based in Chicago, which now owns the brand and produces the soda. The soda is primarily distributed in the Midwest, though it is also available in select locations across the U.S. and online for fans nationwide. Its lime-citrus flavor and eye-catching green hue continue to make it a fun and nostalgic choice for soda drinkers of all ages, particularly during St. Patrick's Day festivities in Chicago, where it has become a tradition.
For fans of vintage sodas, Green River offers a taste of American history and a unique flavor profile that harks back to a simpler time, bridging generations with every bright green bottle.
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