History
The loganberry drink originated at the Crystal Beach Amusement Park on the Ontario shore of Lake Erie, where Buffalo families crossed by ferry from 1888 to 1989. The fruit, a California-bred raspberry and blackberry hybrid from the 1880s, was blended with sugar syrup and water as a hot-day cooler. Two Buffalo brands still pour it: Aunt Rosie's, launched 1987 by Pepsi-Cola Buffalo Bottling, and PJ's Crystal Beach, which slowly overtook Aunt Rosie's in recent years. Johnnie Ryan from Niagara Falls bottles the cane-sugar version Mighty Taco runs on every fountain.
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Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1 cup loganberries (fresh or frozen) OR 1/2 cup raspberries plus 1/2 cup blackberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for the syrup)
- 4 cups cold water (to dilute)
- Ice cubes, to serve
- Optional: a squeeze of lemon to brighten
Method
- Combine the loganberries, sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Crush the berries with a wooden spoon as the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer 5 to 7 minutes until the liquid is deep red and the berries have broken down.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a heatproof jar, pressing the solids to extract every drop of syrup. Discard the seeds.
- Cool the syrup completely. Stir in lemon if using.
- To serve: pour 1 part syrup over 4 parts cold water in a tall glass with plenty of ice. Stir and adjust dilution to taste.
Tip from the editors. The Buffalo fountain version is NOT carbonated. Resist topping with seltzer; the slightly syrupy still-water texture is the point.
Where to eat loganberry drink
Loganberry drink in Buffalo
Ted's Hot Dogs ★ 4.0
Ted's Hot Dogs is a 1948 charcoal-broiled hot dog counter on sheridan, sahlen's franks and homemade hot chili sauce most tourists never reach.
Why locals goA 1948 charcoal-broiled hot dog counter on Sheridan, Sahlen's franks and homemade hot chili sauce most tourists never reach.
TipOrder a foot-long with hot chili sauce, a side of onion rings and the loganberry drink. Pure Buffalo.
Mighty Taco ★ 4.0
Mighty Taco on Delaware Avenue is the late-night Buffalo Tex-Mex chain (since 1973) every local defends, with a beef taco and the El Nino burrito.
SignatureBeef taco, El Nino burrito
Anchor Bar ★ 4.2
Anchor Bar on Main Street is the birthplace of the Buffalo chicken wing, invented by Teressa Bellissimo in 1964 for her son Dominic and his friends.
SignatureOriginal Buffalo wings, Wing sampler
Broadway Market ★ 4.4
Broadway Market on the East Side has been Buffalo's Polish food anchor since 1888, with Chrusciki and White Eagle bakeries, Camellia Meats and pierogi.
More cities are in research. Want loganberry drink covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.