Every once in a while, there’s a discussion about the dish that defines Ohio. It seems like Johnny Marzetti and Buckeyes (the candy) are the typical go-to options in the food department. But what about beverage?
New York has Long Island Iced Teas
Louisiana has Hurricanes
For your Ohio consideration: Buckeye State Scarlet Soda. It’s scarlet like the state bird (cardinal) and the state flower (red carnation). And it’s made in Ohio by Cincinnati’s Root Naturals, a soda purveyor with a proud Ohio history that extends all the way back to 1937.
So behold: It comes in a shiny glass bottle. It’s sweetened with cane sugar. It has a buckeye leaf as part of its branding and it tastes like… Hmm. Carbonated fruit punch? Yes, that’s what it tastes like. The ingredient list offers zero clues as to what it’s supposed to taste like: “natural and artificial flavors.” Although, a little research on the internet suggests it’s a blend of watermelon and strawberries. Anyway, it’s sweet, it’s Ohio, it’s drinkable, and maybe natural-ish.
Root’s heritage dates back to 1937 with its family-owned apothecary. The bottling project is more recent, since 2012, and that evolution is what makes the sodas more widely available in variations that include Cream Soda, Cherry Soda and Root Beer, too.
So, unofficially, it makes for a promising candidate for Ohio Beverage…Officially? Well, that’s going to be a problem. It would have to push over another drink to earn the status official state beverage. According to the State of Ohio, the official state beverage is Tomato Juice. Like the soda, cardinal and flower, it’s also red. And it’s held that title since 1965. Adoption coincided with the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival*, which is coming up this year on August 4-6.
Regardless, you can drink what you want. You can find a store locator as well as online ordering information here: rootbeverage.com.
*There’s some weirdness with dates as the festival website says it started in 1966. Let’s guess that the ’60s were a fuzzy time for everyone.