Original photo by sveta_zarzamora/ iStock
The circus brought death-defying performers and exotic animals across the American landscape in the 1800s, but it also introduced something a little sweeter: pink lemonade. There are two origin stories for the rose-tinted drink, both involving the big top. One version, revealed in a 1912 obituary, credits the invention to Chicago saloonkeeper, theatrical promoter, gambler, and circus vendor Henry E. Allott. After running off to join the circus at age 15, Allott accidentally dropped some red cinnamon candies into a tub of traditional lemonade, only to find that the new mixture was a hit with concession-stand customers.
The alternate and more colorful version of the drink’s dawn comes courtesy of an innovative clown named Pete Conklin circa 1857. Fed up with his wages, Conklin renounced the bells and sequins, and instead followed the circus as a lemonade vendor while his former co-workers wound their way through Texas. During one hot day, Conklin was dismayed to find he had run out of water as his parched customers demanded something to drink. Scouring the lot for replenishment, he dashed into the changing tent of bareback horse rider Fannie Jamieson, who was washing her red tights in a bin of water. Conklin grabbed the bin, its contents colored pink by the garment's aniline dye, and after dumping in the usual sugar and soggy lemon, he unveiled his new “strawberry lemonade” to an appreciative crowd. This story was later confirmed by Conklin’s lion-tamer brother George, and while it may be a tall tale regardless, it’s the type that goes down well when accompanied by a tall glass of our favorite pink beverage.
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The Jewish community of medieval Egypt drank a proto-lemonade of lemon juice and sugar called “______.”
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The Jewish community of medieval Egypt drank a proto-lemonade of lemon juice and sugar called “qatarmizat.”
Circus peanuts were used to create a famous breakfast cereal.
Circus peanuts likely didn’t originate at the circus, and their murky origins are just one of the many mysteries surrounding the banana-flavored marshmallow treat that ostensibly has something to do with peanuts. Fortunately, there is one thing we know for certain about this holdover from 19th-century penny candy bins. According to General Mills, a product developer named John Holahan decided to mix chopped-up circus peanuts with Cheerios while experimenting with new cereal ideas in the early 1960s. The result was the marshmallow-oat mix that became Lucky Charms, another food product with a name that offers no clue to its content, but nevertheless has endured as a staple of American culture.
Tim Ott has written for sites including Biography.com, History.com, and MLB.com, and is known to delude himself into thinking he can craft a marketable screenplay.
