Last night, Toby and I visited a neighborhood eatery, where he selected his new favorite beverage: a Roy Rogers, a Shirley Temple twist using Coke instead of Sprite.
“A Roy Rogers offers a more dynamic flavor profile than a Shirley Temple,” Toby explained, noting the cherry flavor balanced with Coca-Cola. “It evokes a sense of nostalgia tied to Top Gun: Maverick. My preferred bartender is at Musso & Frank in L.A., where I dined with my father. We sat at the bar observing drink-making processes. The bartender resembles the one from The Shining, and the dim lighting created an almost theatrical, horror-movie atmosphere.”
Toby emphasizes that the drink’s name isn’t universally recognized: “It’s an older beverage, so staff often don’t know it. I’ll describe it as grenadine with Coke. In the 1980s, I’d simply ask for a Roy Rogers.” He also notes it’s ideal for preteens and teens. “At casual spots, a Sprite works. But at upscale places like Musso & Frank, a Roy Rogers is essential.”
A few more photos…since every snapshot of a teenager turns into a photo shoot lol.
