CBS Sunday Morning Shouts Out Maine’s Favorite Soft Drink

Moxie, hits the big time!

Many weekends I find myself watching "CBS Sunday Morning", it is so much more than a regular news program. They feature stories on the arts, music, nature, entertainment, sports, history, science and all the thing that make America great. They also highlight unique human accomplishments and achievements. So imagine my surprise yesterday, when something uniquely Maine was featured.

Check out "Moxie, the soft drink with moxie" from yesterdays show

If you need a refresher, Moxie is a soda that is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It was created in 1876 by Augustin Thompson, who hailed from Union, Maine. A sweet drink with a rather funky aftertaste, Moxie is flavored with gentian root extract, which gives it that delightful kick in the shorts that kind of tastes like a medicinal version of Dr. Pepper. Moxie was designated the official soft drink of Maine on May 10, 2005.

There is even a yearly festival that originated in 1982. It returned from a Covid-19 hiatus last month in Lisbon, much to the delight of many!

I always love watching people sample what may just be the most controversial soft drink of all time. Folks all over the globe have dared to taste this polarizing treat with mixed reviews across the board. Much like our political divide, the results seem to be split right down the middle. You either love it or hate it. That’s why it is always entertaining to watch someone take a gulp for the first time.

Here are some the latest victims...I mean participants.