The Blenheim Ginger Ale Was Invented Here In South Carolina, And You Can Grab One From The Glass Onion In Charleston
By Carolyn Harmon|Updated on June 04, 2024(Originally published August 31, 2022)
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Carolyn Harmon
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Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
The next time you find yourself thirsting, pop open an ice-cold Blenheim Ginger Ale, available in several states throughout the U.S. Coming from a long history and keeping its old-fashioned recipe, the delicious beverage has survived three generations — from the 1800s with the drink’s creators Dr. C.R. May and A.J. Matheson to the current owners the Schafer family. You can order the ginger ale online or better yet grab one from The Glass Onion in Charleston, South Carolina. Whichever way you get one in your hand, the payoff is priceless when you enjoy an iconic ginger ale from Blenheim, South Carolina.
Have you ever wondered, "Where was ginger ale invented?" It came about organically as it had medicinal qualities. When Dr. May suggested his patients with stomach ailments drink the water from Blenheim Mineral Springs, they often complained about the water's strong taste. May added Jamaican Ginger to it to conceal the mineral taste.
The fuzzy soda's demand increased to the response of a bottling plant that opened in 1903.
Under the current ownership since 1993, the Blenheim Bottling Company was renovated to meet quality standards.
It is worthy of a save for a sunset at Morris Island Lighthouse off the coast of Folly Beach, where during the summer of 1934, composer George Gershwin rented a beach house to compose the music for the opera "Porgy and Bess."
Morris Island Lighthouse, 1750 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439, USA
Perhaps he was drinking a long, cool Blenheim Ginger Ale while dreaming up his enchanting melodies.
Are you thirsty yet? If you aren’t local to Charleston, do some online searching for Blenheim Ginger Ale, invented right here in Blenheim, South Carolina. Spend an afternoon in Charleston learning about the city on a scenic horse and carriage tour of the historic district.
For more inventions from South Carolina, here is a list of 15. From the submarine to the cotton chopper, South Carolina boasts supreme contributions to mankind.
While you are in Charleston enjoying your Blenheim ginger ale, spend time on the Kiawah River peeping at the pelicans on the Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve: