Jeffrey Salazar
Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray is a kosher, celery-flavoured soft drink that was first produced in 1868 in Brooklyn, New York. It was initially marketed as a tonic and was served in New York delicatessens starting in 1869. The Food and Drug Administration objected to its classification as a tonic, and in the 1900s, the name was changed to Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray. The drink was extremely popular in the 1930s among New York City's Jewish community, who nicknamed it Jewish Champagne. In recent years, it has become increasingly scarce and difficult to find, with some sources claiming that the diet version of the drink has been discontinued due to low sales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Dr. Brown's Celery Tonic was first produced in 1868 in Brooklyn, New York. It was served in New York delicatessens starting in 1869 and sold as a bottled soda starting in 1886. |
| Inventor | Dr. Brown, who lived in Williamsburg or the Lower East Side in New York City. |
| Ingredients | Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, extract of celery seed with other natural flavors, sodium benzoate, and caramel color. |
| Nutritional Information | Calories 140, total fat 0g, sodium 10mg, total carbs 34g, sugars 34g, protein 0g. |
| Taste | Lightly sweet, refreshing, herbaceous, bitter, and peppery. |
| Pairings | Salty, fatty deli fare like pastrami. |
| Cultural Significance | Earned the nickname "Jewish Champagne" in the 1930s among New York City's Jewish community. |
| Availability | Became difficult to find in stores in late 2021 but can still be purchased online through Amazon. |
| Diet Version | Briefly produced but discontinued due to low sales. |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Cel-Ray was discontinued due to low sales
Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray is a kosher, celery-flavored soft drink that was first produced in 1868 in Brooklyn, New York. It was initially marketed as "Celery Tonic", but the FDA objected to the use of the word "tonic", leading to a name change in the 1900s. The drink was popular among New York City's Jewish community in the 1930s, earning the nickname "Jewish Champagne".
Over the years, the drink has become more difficult to find, with some reporting that it was suddenly impossible to find in late 2021. While the original Cel-Ray drink is still in production, the diet version has been discontinued.
Diet Cel-Ray was briefly produced by Dr. Brown's but was ultimately discontinued due to low sales. The drink had a small but dedicated fanbase, with some expressing disappointment that they could no longer find it in stores.
The discontinuation of Diet Cel-Ray can be attributed to several factors that likely contributed to its low sales. One factor may have been the niche appeal of the drink. While it had a dedicated following, particularly in the Jewish community, it may not have had a broad enough consumer base to sustain sales.
Another factor could have been changing consumer preferences and trends. As tastes and dietary habits evolve, demand for certain products can decrease, leading to lower sales. In the case of Diet Cel-Ray, it is possible that consumers increasingly sought out healthier or more natural alternatives, causing sales of this particular product to decline.
Additionally, the availability and marketing of competing products may have impacted sales of Diet Cel-Ray. If consumers had access to similar products that were more widely available, better marketed, or perceived as more desirable, they may have chosen those options instead.
Finally, distribution and supply chain issues could have played a role. If the product was not consistently available in stores or faced challenges in getting it to market, it could have negatively impacted sales.
While the exact reasons for the discontinuation of Diet Cel-Ray are not definitively known, low sales were likely influenced by a combination of these factors.
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Celery was considered a superfood in the 1800s
In the 1800s, celery was considered a superfood, with a reputation as a medicinal tonic. It was thought to be a cure-all, particularly good for calming stomachs and bowels. This perception of celery as a panacea dates back to ancient times, with the vegetable being used in traditional medicine in China.
The perception of celery as a superfood was not limited to the sphere of medicine; it was also a status symbol. In the late 1800s, celery was considered a delicacy, a rare treat that only wealthy families could afford. It was often presented ostentatiously in celery vases, which were specifically designed to showcase the vegetable to guests. This practice reflected the importance of celery as a marker of social status and elite privilege.
The invention of Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda, which debuted in 1868, capitalised on celery's reputation as a superfood. The soft drink was initially marketed as "Celery Tonic" to tap into the health trend associated with celery. The FDA objected to the use of the word "tonic", leading to the product's name change to "Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray" in the 1900s.
The popularity of Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda, also known as Jewish Champagne, endured for decades, particularly among New York City's Jewish community in the 1930s. The drink's longevity can be attributed to its unique flavour, described as herbaceous, bitter, and peppery, and its perfect pairing with salty, fatty deli fare.
Today, Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda remains in production, surviving alongside its more conventional counterparts like cola and lemon-lime sodas. It can still be found in some old-school delis and bodegas, preserving the legacy of celery's once-superfood status in the 1800s.
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Dr. Brown may have been a marketing ploy
Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda is a unique, lightly sweet, refreshing, and kosher celery-flavoured soda. It was first produced in 1868 in Brooklyn, New York, and was initially called "Brown's Celery Tonic". The drink was served in New York delicatessens starting in 1869 and sold as a bottled soda in 1886.
The origins of the drink are somewhat shrouded in mystery. According to company lore, it was invented by a man named Dr. Brown, who lived in Williamsburg or the Lower East Side in New York City. However, it is unclear if this person even existed, and he may have been a marketing ploy.
In the 1800s, celery was considered a superfood with medicinal properties, and celery-based products were popular. Dr. Brown's soda was originally marketed as a tonic, claiming to have health benefits. The drink was carbonated to make it more palatable, and it was renamed "Cel-Ray" after the FDA objected to the use of the word "tonic".
The success of Cel-Ray allowed Dr. Brown's to launch a variety of other flavours, and it remains a beloved and cult-favourite drink, especially in Jewish delis. It has been featured in various books, films, and TV shows, and earned the nickname "Jewish Champagne" due to its popularity in the 1930s among New York City's Jewish community.
Despite its enduring popularity, the drink has become harder to find in recent years, with some fans noticing its disappearance from stores. The diet version of Cel-Ray was discontinued due to low sales, which may be a factor in its decreasing availability.
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Cel-Ray is a cult favourite at Jewish delis
The soft drink was so popular in the 1930s among New York City's Jewish community that it earned the nickname "Jewish Champagne". It is said to go perfectly with pastrami and other salty, fatty deli fare. The flavour, derived from celery seed extract, is reminiscent of ginger ale but with a pronounced celery flavour and a hint of peppery spiciness.
The drink has been referenced in popular culture, including in the 1975 film Funny Lady, where the character Billy Rose drinks it as an alternative to alcohol, and in the 2013 novel Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon, where it is referred to as "Jewish champagne" and served at a possibly make-believe Jewish delicatessen, Bagels 'n' Blintzes.
In late 2021, it became suddenly impossible to find, with some speculating that it had been discontinued. However, it is still in production and can be found in some old-school delis, bodegas, and on Amazon.
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The drink is still in production
Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray is indeed still in production, with a unique perfume that is both beguiling and refreshing. The drink is a survivor of a flavour consolidation towards a group of innocuous fruits and herbs. It can be found in some old-school delis and bodegas, and is also available on Amazon.
The drink was first produced in 1868 in Brooklyn, New York, and was originally called Brown's Celery Tonic. It was served in New York delicatessens from 1869 and was sold as a bottled soda from 1886. The name was changed to Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray in the 1900s after the FDA objected to its use of the word 'tonic'. The drink was extremely popular in the 1930s among New York City's Jewish community, who nicknamed it ''Jewish Champagne'.
The drink is derived from celery seed extract and is reminiscent of ginger ale, with a more pronounced celery flavour. It is lightly carbonated, sweet, and refreshing, with a hint of peppery spiciness. It is kosher and pairs well with heavier meats.
The brand is currently owned by the Harold Honnickman Group, who bought it from American Beverage.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray is a diet version of the original Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray, a kosher, celery-flavored soft drink.
Diet Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray was discontinued due to low sales. While the original version is still in production, it has become increasingly scarce and hard to find in recent years.
Diet Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray was discontinued due to low sales. The drink was a cult favorite, particularly in Jewish delis, but it seems that sales were not high enough for the company to continue producing it.
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