Maine's bitter-sweet brown soda flavoured with gentian root, the only state-recognised soft drink in America. Tastes like root beer crossed with cough syrup; Mainers either swear by it or have never tried it.

Moxie was invented in 1884 by Maine-born Dr. Augustin Thompson of Union, marketed initially as Moxie Nerve Food. It is among the first sodas commercially produced in America. The bitter gentian-root note divides drinkers sharply; Mainers grew up with it, outsiders find it medicinal. In 2005, Governor John Baldacci signed Moxie into law as Maine's official state soft drink. The annual Moxie Festival in Lisbon Falls, second weekend of July, draws 30,000-plus fans. Portland diners and burger counters keep Moxie on tap or in glass bottles; it's drunk straight or mixed into a Moxie float with vanilla ice cream.

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