Roy Rogers

noun

Roy Rog·​ers ˈrȯi-ˈrä-jərz How to pronounce Roy Rogers (audio)
variants or less commonly Roy Rogers cocktail
plural Roy Rogers also Roy Rogerses or Roy Rogers cocktails
: a nonalcoholic mixed drink of cola and grenadine garnished with a cherry and served over ice compare shirley temple

Word History

Etymology

after Roy Rogers (Leonard Franklin Slye) †1998 American singer and actor

Note: The drink was apparently developed as a counterpart to the shirley temple, which is traditionally made with ginger ale rather than cola. Roy Rogers portrayed a cowboy in a series of films (1938-51) and a television show (1951-57) that were popular with children.

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Roy Rogers was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Roy Rogers.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Roy%20Rogers. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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