Kentucky's Official State Soda Has A Secret Message

You may have heard of an official state flower or animal, but did you know that many states also have an official beverage? According to Midstory, Ohio was the first state to choose an official beverage in 1965. The Ohio General Assembly selected tomato juice for the prestigious honor, based on the fact that Ohio was the second leading producer of tomatoes in the country, with California being the first.

Since then, states have chosen a wide range of beverages to personify their state. As explained by the Florida Department of State, orange juice is the official selection, which makes sense for the Sunshine State. At the other end of the spectrum, State Symbols USA lists Pennsylvania's state beverage as milk, which recognizes Pennsylvania's status as the fifth-largest US manufacturer of the wholesome dairy product. As for Kentucky, VisitWinchesterKY.com reports a surprising choice: Ale-8-One, a true Kentucky original, has been the "official soft drink" of the commonwealth since 2013.

As explained by A Taste of Kentucky, Ale-8-One was the product of innovator G.L. Wainscott. Beginning in 1902, Wainscott was instrumental in the Winchester, Kentucky soft drink industry. He continually searched for a product that would truly entice the public, and his travels throughout Europe led him to discover ginger-infused drinks. These recipes would then serve as the inspiration for Ale-8-One (often simply called Ale-8 by Kentuckians), which first came onto the scene in 1926.

According to the varieties page of the Ale-8-One website, the original beverage is an intriguing blend of "ginger and citrus" flavors. Unlike many other sodas, Ale-8-One features light carbonation for a refreshing yet subtle kick, perfectly suited for drinking out of a cold glass bottle on a hot summer day in Kentucky. The line has recently expanded to include other flavors, such as Cherry Ale-8 and Orange Cream Ale-8. Soda lovers can also enjoy caffeine- and sugar-free versions. However, the exact recipe remains a secret to prevent competitors from making their own version. Surprisingly, that's not the only secret associated with this appealing beverage.

Once a Kentucky-exclusive, Ale-8-One can now be enjoyed throughout 42 states in Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, much to the delight of customers (per WDRB.com). This nationwide expansion shows that the appeal of this beverage is undisputable among its fans. However, many don't know the secret behind the iconic drink's name unless they've taken a close look at the product's label.

History shows that founder Wainscott had a real talent for naming his products, according to the company website. His Roxa Kola raised the ire of the Coca-Cola Company based on the claim that their product names were a touch too similar. Coca-Cola took legal action against Wainscott as a result, which proved unsuccessful even after an appeal in federal court. As for Ale-8-One, Wainscott got a little help from the crowd at the Clark County Fair in 1926, where he first introduced the new beverage, as featured on the company's family secret page. A naming contest ensued, and one attendee's entry captured Wainscott's admiration. At the time, the phrase "a late one" described something that was the latest fad or craze. Accordingly, Ale-8-One became the soda's name in honor of it being, "the latest thing in soft drinks." As the old saying goes, "better late than never."