The History of the American Soda Fountain

Book: Fix the Pumps

Fix the Pumps tells the real history of the soda fountain, starting with its invention, through its golden era of creativity and into its dependence on patent medicine and narcotics. The history of the soda fountain is as vibrant as any other period in American history.

Fix the Pumps provides a wealth of information on techniques employed by soda jerks. The recipes span the spectrum of simple favours, like lemon and cherry, to the complex with ingredients like aromatic elixir and acid phosphate. The creativity of soda fountains was easily on par with the cocktail. This information is invaluable to anyone who likes to make drinks and especially valuable to bartenders who want to make the profession all-encompassing.

“Read it not just for those revelatory recipes, but for its provocative take on their cultural, economic, and medical impact on generations gone by. You’ll never think of soda fountains as wholesome Happy Days nostalgia again.” Jeff “Beachbum” Berry author of Sippin’ Safari

“These wonderful palaces of fizz are no longer with us, but reading Darcy’s new book will fill your head with historical info, fun facts, and images detailing what a visit to one of these bygone watering holes would have entailed. Time travel never tasted so good.” Craig “Dr. Bamboo” Mrusek

Buy the print version: Fix the Pumps

Liked it? Take a second to support Art of Drink on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!