While scouring the internet for all things vintage and interesting I stumbled upon a cool article about the history of everyone’s favorite Ginger drink..”Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale“. Well maybe it’s not everyone’s favorite but it sure is a fav of mine and also TRULY Canadian (not just using the name here). And since I love sharing cool Toronto history with you, today’s post will be highlights from the beginnings of this drink and then showcasing a bunch of my favorite vintage ads I found from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

1940s Vintage ad for a 1947 Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring an illustration of a woman with red hair drinking the soda in 1940s fashions and 1940s hairstyles. — Source: eBay

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‘Canada Dry’-Toronto’s Original Beverage and the Champagne of Ginger Ales

The beginning (History Highlights):

Vintage Canada Dry ginger Ale label Toronto, Canada — Source: BlogTO

*In 1890, Canadian pharmacist and chemist John J. McLaughlin of Enniskillen, Ontario opened a carbonated water plant in Toronto after returning from Brooklyn where he is was working in the pharmacy business.

*McLaughlin set himself the goal of developing a pale, dry ginger ale, ostensibly as a non-alcoholic rival for champagne but more likely in the hope of surpassing the popular ginger ales then on the market (Source).

*In 1904, McLaughlin created “Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale”, which was a refined version of their long produced “McLaughlin’s Belfast Style Ginger Ale”.

*”It has a snap and a tingle; a smart spry taste,” early ads claimed. It was known as “the champagne of ginger ales” for its light taste and was marketed with a beaver icon and a map of Canada (Source).

*Rapid growth and popularity quickly followed after it’s launch, with plants opening up in other areas of Canada and the trade name registered in 1907.

*The sweet drink was even appointed to the Royal Household of the Governor General of Canada where the label featuring a beaver atop a map of Canada was replaced with the present Crown and shield.

*Canada Dry stayed in the family business till the 1920s, where growing popularity in the United States had the family expand into New York City (Note: McLaughlin died suddenly in 1914).

*It was sold in 1923 to P. D. Saylor and Associates, who renamed it Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc. and forever removing the ties to Toronto.

*It has been in United States hands ever since (being purchased by several companies over the years).

Side Note: His brother, Samuel McLaughlin, was busily growing their father’s business into what would eventually become General Motors of Canada during the beginnings of Canada Dry.

1910's vintager ad for a 1916 Canada Dry Ginger Ale — Source: Wikipedia

For a full detailed history lesson on Canada Dry make sure you check out the ‘BlogTO’ article HERE.

The Vintage Advertising:

1937-So many “Remedies” from one drink. Love the tennis outfit on our lovely cover model.

Further Reading: Vintage Tennis Outfits from the 1920s-1950s

1930s vintage ad for Canada Day Ginger Ale ad from 1937 featuring an image of a woman playing tennis and other things that the pop / soda makes you do — Source: Period Paper

1930s Ad- Kids love it, it’s made thru a scientific process, it’s great at parties and served at fancy exotic hotels. Canada Dry is truly the Best!

1930s vintage ad for Canada Dry ginger ale featuring images of all the things Gingere Ale helps you do. — Source: Flickr

1935 Ad- “Against the brilliant social background, it’s Canada Dry”.

1930s vintage ad for a 1935 Canada Dry Ad featuring an illustration of stylish 1930s men and women at a party in 1930s fashions and 1930s hairstyles. — Source: eBay

1940s Vintage Ad: “Cool Off with Canada Dry” (cute swimsuit!).

1940s Vintage ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring a couple in 1940s swimsuits having fun in the water and other things the drink helps you do. — Source: O Canada blog

1940s- Canada Dry says “Keep up the good work”. Love that the dad is taking a photo of his daughters in their miltary uniform.

Further Reading: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront posts

1940s Vintage ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale. "Keep up the good work". Featuring an image of a dad ttaking a photo of his daughters in their miltary uniform. — Source: Pinterest

1940s Christmas Ad: Keeps his Ginger Up? I do marketing for a career and even I don’t know what that means.

1940s Vintage Ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring an illustration of Santa holding the pop. — Source: Vintage Ads

1950s Ad-The Ginger-Upper from 1954.

1950s vintage ad for a 1954 Canada Dry Ginger Ale Ad featuring images of a woman in 1950s fashions enjoying her soda while doing various things — Source: Etsy

1955 Canada Dry Ginger Ale vintage magazine advertisement-“When it’s Turkey Time…it’s Canday Dry Time!”

1955 CANADA DRY Ginger Ale Vintage Magazine Advertisement featuring an image of two 1950s kids enjoying a glass of Canada Dry rootbeer and canada dry ginger ale at thanksgiving.

Source: Etsy

Esther Williams for Canada Dry, 1956. Do you think those are her kids (according to the ad) or “fake kids”?

1950s vintage ad for Canada Dry Ginger ale featuring Esther Williams in a 1950s swimsuit posing with kids by the pool

Another endorsement ad- Mary Hartline, 1951. Mary is wearing a cute 1950s skating outfit.

1950s vintage ad for a 1951 Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring Mary Hartline in a band uniform and 1950s hairstyle. — Source: flickr

Annie Oakley loves her Ginger Ale and some great BBQ recipes.

Original vintage magazine ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring Annie Oakley and BBQ recipes. — Source: Attic Paper

Lastly, here is a Vintage (1930’s ish) Canada Dry Ginger Ale Recipe Book that I recently stumbled upon on Etsy. “When its Party Time its Canada Dry time!”