We love nostalgic, fun drinks and mocktails. There is something about sipping on a classic that puts a smile on your face. We absolutely love the Roy Rogers soda shop drink and wanted to tell you all about it.

You can quickly and easily make a Roy Rogers drinkwith just three simple ingredients. Everyone is going to love this mocktail- we are sure of it!

What is a Roy Rogers Mocktail?

The Roy Rogers is a traditional, old fashioned soda shop drink. It is made with simple ingredients that you could find at a soda fountain store decades ago. It is made with just three ingredients:

Cola
Grenadine
Maraschino Cherry

The quantity of each ingredient may vary but every Roy Rogers out there is pretty much the same. OF course, we think we have the quantities balanced perfectly. Our Roy Rogers recipe probably is the best ever….

History of the Roy Rogers Drink

The exact history of the Roy Rogers drink is a little murky. However, the general story begins around the 1940’s. The cowboy actor named Roy Rogers was very popular and starred in many movies. He was every little boy's idol and someone kids aspired to be. A drink named after him was something that would be guaranteed to sell.

During the time when Rogers was at his peak fame, so was Shirley Temple. A drink was already named after her and it was a hit with little girls. There needed to be a version for boys! The Roy Rogers drink was born soon after, imitating the cherry taste of the Shirley Temple but in a whole new way. Rather than use ginger ale like in a Shirley Temple, the Roy Rogers was made with cola, giving it a richer taste.

One top of everything, the actor Roy Rogers was known to abstain from alcohol. It only seemed fitting that a drink with his namesake would be alcohol free.

The Roy Rogers mocktail has been popular ever since the early 40’s. While we can’t pinpoint the exact origin of the drink, we know that it has withstood the test of time!

Ingredient in a Roy Rogers

A non alcoholic Roy Rogers cocktail is made with just three simple ingredients. You don't need much to create a great drink! We also don’t want to mess with perfection. These ingredients have been used for decades, making thousands of delicious Roy Rogers drinks. We don’t want to change it up now!

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in a Roy Rogers:

Grenadine- Grenadine is a sweet syrup made from pomegranate juice. It is completely alcohol free and used to flavor lots of cocktails and mocktails. Many people think grenadine is made from cherries since it is such a bright red color. However, pomegranates are the main ingredient!
Cola- The classic Roy Rogers drink is made with Coca-Cola. You can use any brand of cola but, in this case, we think the traditional brand name version is best. It has that classic vanilla and cinnamon taste that can’t be beaten.
Maraschino Cherry- A maraschino cherry has long been the classic garnish for the Roy Rogers drink. It is a pretty and easy finishing touch. It is also very kid friendly which is why kids were drawn to the drink. Everyone wants that cherry on top!

Simple ingredients are sometimes best. We especially love when you can get all the ingredients you need right at the grocery store. No need to make extra trips to get the things you need for a Roy Rogers, they are right down the street!

How to Make a Roy Rogers Drink

It couldn’t be any easier to make a Roy Rogers mocktail. This recipe is so simple, so easy that even a kid could make it! And, of course, this non alcoholic drink is completely kid friendly! Here is what you need to do to make this delicious retro drink:

Fill a glass with ice.
Add the grenadine to the glass followed by the cola.
Add a cherry on top and enjoy!

I told you this drink was easy! You could make it with your eyes closed. You could make 10 of them in about 2 minutes. You could make a Roy Rogers drink for everyone at your next family party without blinking an eye. It is just that easy.

Variations and Substitutions

The Roy Rogers drink has been around so long that many different variations have been created. Here are a few of our favorite ways to tweak the recipe:

Use cherry cola for an extra fruity taste
Use cherry juice to replace grenadine
Add a splash of orange juice for a vibrant, citrus flavor
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a Roy Rogers float

If you think of a great substitution or extra ingredient for Roy Rogers, let us know! We love discovering new, interesting takes on classic drink recipes.

It is about time you tried a Roy Rogers mocktail. It has been around for decades for a reason- people love it! We know that you will too. Enjoy!

You Asked, We’re Answering

Do you have questions about this classic drink? Feel free to leave any questions in the comments below and we will be happy to answer. For now, take a look at these FAQ’s and answers and hopefully they help!

What’s the difference between a Shirley Temple and a Roy Rogers?

A Shirley Temple is made with Sprite while a Roy Rogers is made with cola. Other than this, the drinks are essentially the same! Both have grenadine syrup drizzled into the glass and are topped with cherries. Both drinks also became popular in the 1940’s making them timeless classics.

What flavor is grenadine?

Grenadine has a sweet and slightly tart flavor. It is made from pomegranate juice which has a fruity, dry taste. It really makes a drink stand out!

What does a Roy Rogers taste like?

Roy Rogers is often called cherry cola but it is actually flavored with grenadine which is made from pomegranate juice. Grenadine makes standard cola taste fruity and refreshing.

Roy Rogers Drink Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Recipe by Mocktail.net

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Ingredients

2 Tbsp grenadine
1 cup cola
Maraschino Cherry
½ cup ice

Directions

Add the ice to a highball glass
Pour the grenadine over the ice.
Add the cola over the ice and over the grenadine
Add the cherry garnish and enjoy with a straw

Tips and Tricks

• Use cherry cola for even more cherry flavor.
• Use the maraschino cherry syrup in place of grenadine
Tools:
• Spoon or spatula
• Measuring Cup
• Measuring Spoons