The Chicago River will no longer be my favorite ‘showing of the green’ on St.Pat’s Day. Two Chicago icons, Eli’s Cheesecake and Green River Soda, have teamed up to create Eli’s Green River Cheesecake.
A rich and creamy neon lime cheesecake, topped with lime gelee, baked on Eli’s signature all butter shortbread cookie crust and, of course, made with real Green River flavoring.
Green River Soda was introduced in 1919, as Congress was passing the 18th Amendment establishing Prohibition. That’s when The Schoenhofen Brewery, residing in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, decided to fill their old beer bottles with the soon to be famous vivid green lime soda instead.
Green River became a huge hit, trailing only Coca Cola in popularity. In 2021, historic Green River was acquired by Sprecher Brewery, Milwaukee’s original craft brewery known for its award-winning root beer and craft soda.
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Queen and her court
Eli’s Cheesecake’s Maureen and Marc Schulman
In 1980, Eli Schulman declared Cheesecake to be the signature dessert at his restaurant, Eli’s The Place for Steak, a Chicago legend for over 40 years. In his restaurant’s kitchen, he dreamed up a new way of baking cheesecake. Known as “Chicago-Style,” his creation is famous for its beautiful caramelization, rich and creamy texture, and all-butter shortbread cookie crust. Still a family-owned business, Chicago’s favorite dessert is handmade and decorated at Eli’s Cheesecake World, on Chicago’s Northwest side.
After many years of serving Green River at Eli’s Cheesecake’s annual reception for Chicago’s St Patrick’s Day Queen and her court, the two Chicago icons joined forces, and in 2020, Eli’s Green River Cheesecake was born! “St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in Chicago. The City dyes the river bright green, and this is just another fun and festive way to celebrate,” said Marc Schulman, Eli’s president.
Eli’s is also teaming up with Sprecher for the ultimate Green River giveaway (a Green River Cheesecake and Green River Soda). For details on how to enter, follow @ElisCheesecake and @SprecherBrewery on Instagram.
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