5 Regional Soft Drinks that We Wish Were National

Soft drinks are one of America's guilty pleasures. We all know the big guys like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, but regional soft drink flavors can provide a special sense of pride. In a world dominated by large beverage brands, many regional soft drinks have stayed true to their roots and are still family owned and operated. Others have been bought by larger corporations, but continue to be distributed on a small scale in specific regions.

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We compiled a list of the top regional soft drink chains we wish were available on a national scale. Some of these beverages, like Moxie, have such a strong following of loyal consumers there is a festival held in their honor. Other hometown favorites, like Chicago's Green River, have even been called "nostalgia in a bottle" because of its long-term popularity. It wasn't an easy selection, but to rank our list, we looked at the buzz surrounding the brands (including popularity on Twitter, Facebook, and the blogosphere), the total area of a given beverage's distribution, and whether or not it is available to order online.

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Blenheim's Ginger Ale
Located in Hamer, S.C., Blenheim's Ginger Ale has retained its small town, family style production since 1903. The company boasts of their products while saying that they stay true to their history and beginnings, specifically the strong flavor of the mineral water in the beverage. The company offers three varieties, and their Old #3 Hot Red-Cap is their boldest flavor. The soft drink is available at a variety of specialty markets throughout the United States, but is most prevalent in the Carolinas.

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Big Red
With a history dating back to 1937, Big Red claims to be the original red cream soft drink. It was originally called Sun Tang Red Cream Soda, but was named when the president of the bottling plant overhead a golf caddy call it by the name "Big Red." The soft drink is popular throughout the Southern region of the United States (especially Texas), and is known for its unique taste many liken to bubble gum. Their slogan is "deliciously different," and they are known throughout the internet for their interesting videos and commercials.

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Moxie
Moxie prides itself on their slogan, "distinctively different," and while some claim the beverage is an acquired taste, there is no doubting it's following of loyal fans. The beverage has a rich history dating all the way back to 1876 when it was first created, and was one of the first mass produced beverages in the United States. Generally speaking, the soft drink has a more bitter taste than most other soft drinks. It is sold primarily on the East Coast and is the official soft drink of Maine, where there is even a Moxie museum and Moxie festival.

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Passaro's Manhattan Special
Since 1895, Passaro's Manhattan Special has had a serious cult following, specifically near its roots in Brooklyn. The company is not named after the island (like many assume), but after the avenue in Brooklyn. Their most famous beverage is their Espresso Coffee Soft drink, made of "the world's finest coffee beans" and cane sugar. The delicious beverage comes from the Passaro family, who were Italian immigrants, and they still use the secret family recipe that is over 100 years old.

Cheerwine
Cheerwine was first created in 1917 in Salisbury, North Carolina. General store owner L.D. Peeler was the creator of the beverage, which became an instant hint. With a strong hint of wild cherry, this hyper-carbonated soft drink is known as the "Nectar of North Carolina," and the company is still owned by the same family. With a strong cult following, the soft drink is mostly available close to its roots in the South (particularly the Carolinas and Virginia), but it is available at some retailers in more northern states like New York and New Jersey.

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-Meredith Whitman, The Daily Meal