The origin of the Boston cooler originated in Detroit, Michigan, which is also where Fred Sanders invented the ice cream soda. Originally, a Vernors Cream was served as a shot or two of sweet cream poured into a glass of Vernors ginger ale. Later, vanilla ice cream was substituted for the cream as a Vernors float. Unlike a float, a Boston Cooler is blended like a thick milk shake. It is known that by the 1880s the Boston cooler was being served in Detroit, made with the Detroit’s Vernors. The name has no connection to Boston, Massachusetts. One theory is that it was named after Detroit’s Boston Boulevard, which was a short distance from James Vernor’s drugstore.
My husband’s uncle worked for Vernors as a young man in the 1930′s. He also said they used to make a Cream-Ale with Vernors, cream, and chocolate syrup. He used to bring home a quart everyweek. It was a special treat. Now we use ice cream in our Boston Coolers and Cream-Ales.
Maceri’s Soup & Scoop, Pitas & Subs serves Boston Coolers, Cream-Ales. You can also find Rootbeer Floats, Italian Soda Floats, and Italian Creamosas in a variety of flavors, but the Boston Cooler is a taste of nostalgia. They are all made with National Award-Winning Ashby’s Sterling ice cream.We are located in Shelby Twp., Michigan on the nw corner of 21 Mile and Hayes. www.soup-scoop.com
