Mini Grace dines at America Eats Tavern in Georgetown

Historically inspired dishes in the heart of Georgetown!

This has been an exciting, eventful summer so far, which is unfortunately why the blog has been so quiet these last few months. I’m hoping to come back with a fall full of exciting historical recipes, possibly with some new friends to explore those with us, as well as celebrating A Peek into the Pantry’s fifth anniversary next week! 

But until then, I do have a little something to tide you over: a trip to America Eats Tavern in Georgetown!

Ruthie Makes Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers

Just the right addition to any end of summer parties you might be planning!

The summer’s winding down, but the heat definitely isn’t going anywhere. In the days before air conditioning was in almost every American household, people needed to get creative to find ways to beat the heat. 

One of the most popular for kids like Ruthie Smithens – and her best friend Kit Kittredge, of course! – was going to the movies. Movie theaters offered cheap entertainment and a nice, dark, cool theater to shelter inside on those hot summer days during the Depression. Getting lost in the stories on the silver screen also helped distract viewers from the struggles of everyday life during hard times. 

These two drinks get their names from some of the most famous movie stars of the time, and they’re delightfully simple to make. Read on to learn the history of two of the most famous mocktails ever created!