The Roy Rogers is a timeless, nonalcoholic drink that kids and adults alike love because it offers such a cool little taste of delight with every sip. A non-alcoholic soda mixed drink made with cola and grenadine called the Roy Rogers, after the famous cowboy actor/songwriter of that same name. Great for parties, gatherings, and just nostalgia on warm days.
How to Make Homemade Roy Rogers Drink
For a Roy Rogers drink, pack ice in a glass, fill with cola to within an inch or so of the top, and gently splash grenadine on the surface. Give a light stir, and add maraschino cherries. This easy-to-make drink is a mix of sweet flavors that will be enjoyed anytime.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cola: Use your favorite cola brand.
- 1 oz Grenadine: A pomegranate-flavored syrup that contributes a reddish color and an interesting flavor profile.
- Maraschino Cherry: Garnish is a maraschino cherry, providing color and taste of extra sweetness.
- Lime Wedge: A lime wedge squeezed in for a zesty twist to balance out the sweetness.
- Ice Cubes: provide coolness and refreshment in your drink.
- Mint Leaves: I absolutely love mint and also agree there should be a hint of freshness.
- Serving Glass: Tall glass that highlights the beautiful colors and allows for long sips.
- Straw: Add a colorful straw for more entertainment and easy sipping.
Instructions
- Prepare Glassware: Fill highball glass (or any tall glass) with ice cubes. This method allows for the drink to consequently cool down in seconds and instantly, making it perfectly refreshing.
- Add Cola: Fill the glass with about three-quarters of cola. Make sure your cola is ice-cold for the best flavor.
- Mix in Grenadine: Slowly pour the grenadine using a spoon into the glass. At first, the syrup will settle to the bottom, and you’ll have a layered piece. Provide a soft stirring so they can blend well with the drink without losing its beautiful color.
- Garnish: Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass or spear with a cocktail pick, serve it on top for classic effect.
Serving Suggestions
- Occasions: The Roy Rogers drink is great for birthday parties, family get-togethers, BBQs, or any occasion where a non-alcoholic option is appreciated.
- Customization Tips: For more try these over ice with a maraschino cherry or change the grenadine for different flavored saturated syrups, there are limitless opportunities.
- Healthier Alternatives: Try a sugar-free cola or natural grenadine alternative to create a real diet-friendly drink.
- Kid-Friendly: It is perfect for parties such as children’s parties because it makes a great color and taste that suits the young.
- Pairing Suggestions: Serve with typical snack items such as popcorn, potato chips, or finger sandwiches for a solid party buffet.
Tips and Variations
- DIY Grenadine: By reducing the sugar syrup to its original state, you get a much more natural and whole food choice instead of what is mass-produced.
- Dietary Needs: Choose a diet of cola if you want fewer calories without sacrificing the classic taste.
- Caffeine-Free Alternatives: You can use a caffeine-free cola for the kids or those who are sensitive to caffeine.
- Fresh fruit garnish: Add orange slices or cherries to your drink for a splash of flavor and color.
- Fresh herbal infusions: Play around with some fresh herbs like mint or basil to bring that freshness into the drink.
- Sparkling Water Twist: Use sparkling water instead for a fun, bubbly spin on this drink.
Preparation Time
- 5 minutes
- Serving size: 1
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 150-200
- Total Sugars: 35-40 grams
- Sugars: 30-35 grams of added sugars
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Caffeine: 30-40 mg per serving for regular cola
Ingredients Substitutes
- Cola Alternatives: To change it up a bit, try using ginger ale or lemon-lime soda in lieu of cola; both are delicious with grenadine.
- Grenadine: If you don’t have grenadine, replace it using raspberry or cherry syrup, which is the same in taste but also gives out a peach colored ambiance as well.
- Maraschino Cherry Replacement: This means we now have 2 cherries to replace the maraschino cherry; name: fresh cherry-berry of any kind; name a berry, and you can use it as a fresh lemon twist mint sprig.
- Sugar-Free Options: Go for diet colas and grenadine, this would, once you switch to a sugar-free version of your tonic then itself the calories become low which is safe for people wanting to fit in their zero-size jeans.
- Alternative to Fresh Mint: Instead, use basil or rosemary as a fresh aromatic garnish that balances the sweet side of this drink.
- Lime Alternatives: You can also use lemon slices or orange wedges, which both give a nice citrus flair and help keep the sweetness of this summer drink in check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Roy Rogers drink?
A Roy Rogers is a non-alcoholic ‘mocktail’ made with cola and grenadine syrup that we serve garnished with a maraschino cherry. It is, at the bottom, one of those simple, tasty beverages enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Is the Roy Rogers drink suitable for kids?
Absolutely! Sweet and colorful, The Roy Rogers is certainly a kid’s drink. However, be careful of the caffeine in regular cola.
Can I prepare the Roy Rogers drink in advance?
The drink is best when made fresh, but you can pre-mix the cola and grenadine for parties. Finish this off with some ice as well as any garnishes before serving to prevent dilution.
Can I use different syrups instead of grenadine?
It just means go ahead and take some liberties with the flavored syrup — raspberry, cherry, strawberry, or something of your own devising if you like — to create a distinctive one that’s fittingly yours.
Conclusion
Roy Rogers, named for the famous cowboy actor of bygone days, is not only quirky but simple and perhaps a time-honored favorite. It can be made effortlessly in next to no time with ingredients that are readily available, making it ideal for all occasions. To make it even more visually appealing, garnish with a slice of lemon or lime and try other types to add a different taste that you may like.
Roy Rogers Drink Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare Glassware
Fill highball glass (or any tall glass) with ice cubes. This method allows for the drink to consequently cool down in seconds and instantly, making it perfectly refreshing.
Add Cola
Fill the glass with about three-quarters of cola. Make sure your cola is ice-cold for the best flavor.
Mix in Grenadine
Slowly pour the grenadine using a spoon into the glass. At first, the syrup will settle to the bottom, and you'll have a layered piece. Provide a soft stirring so they can blend well with the drink without losing its beautiful color.
Garnish
Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass or spear with a cocktail pick, serve it on top for classic effect.
