While in Indianapolis for a work event, I had the pleasure of visiting Rocket Fizz. What I thought was just a one-off store in Indy turned out to be a chain across the US. The store is a soda store that sells hundreds of types of soda ranging from the normal like root beer to the extreme like corn.

I picked up some interesting sodas with a focus on ginger ale.

My selection was the following; Spicy Ginger Ale, Dr. Browns Cel-Ray, Donkey Kong Jungle Juice, Australian Style Hot Ginger Ale and Sweet Corn.

The Jungle Juice is an energy drink with no alcohol. It looks similar to Red Bull but I would rather save the can.

The corn soda is a bit more mysterious. It doesn’t have any obvious corn in it. My guess is the flavoring comes from the natural or artificial ingredients.

I haven’t opened any of these yet but will report back when I taste them.

Check out the other locations of the stores, if you have one near you. Link

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Sodas are a great addition to cocktails or even on their own. If you can’t find what you want, why not make it. I ordered a few books from Amazon and Fix the Pumps by Darcy S. O’Neil was one back order. It just came in and I am excited to read through it.

Amazon Link

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I’m sure you have seen a movie in which they ordered a phosphate soda. You might have even been so lucky to see one on a menu at a local restaurant. I had that same luck this weekend at the Courier Cafe in Champaign, IL. The restaurant is in my father’s home town and is the location  of the old newspaper. The same newspaper that he was a paperboy from. When we went inside, he pointed out how it changed and walked through his morning routine when he was a kid.

Phosphate sodas were the predecessor to milkshakes. They were a combination of soda water, phosphoric acid and flavoring. This was most likely fruit syrup but could even be booze. There is a trend now to bring this back and mixologists are experimenting with it. It is a sour flavor similar to citric acid (lemon/lime juice). Try replacing it with citrus in your next cocktail for a neutral but sour flavor. You can purchase it from The Boston Shaker.

Check out Art of Drink for a recipe on Cherry Phosphate.

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I’ve been wanting to try a Pimm’s Cup cocktail ever since I saw Burt Reynolds order one on Archer.

It’s a pretty dang awesome drink. Burt Reynolds knows his drinks.

Pimm’s Cup (via CHOW)

• 1/2-inch thick English cucumber wheel
• 1/2-inch thick lemon wheel
• 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
• 4 ounces 7UP, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale
• lemon twist

Taste: This is an incredibly tasty drink. The celery bitters bring in a nice bloody mary taste with out the heaviness. Yet the sweet from the Pimm’s #1 and the soda make it refreshing and light.

Sourcing: Took me two stores to find Pimm’s #1 but I discovered it. Also look around for celery bitters, it is out there.

Prep: A little effort in muddling but other than that, this is pretty simple.

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