I cannot remember the last time a new product came into my life that has caused the level of joy and newfound obsession that Cheerwine has. So let’s dispense with the pleasantries and my usual pop culture tomfoolery and get right into this. Back to the Future. Cherie getting trapped in a refrigerator. Bull from Night Court. That should satisfy the quota and buy us a little time.
On Saturday I crossed the Bay of Tampa to patron a hipster deli/restaurant/market place that is all the rage here locally. I go there when I need to be inspired by a product. I bought my first Hotlips soda there as well as my first Vosges bar. Sadly their current selection left a lot to be deired. No Hotlips, no Vosges. Generally very little in the way of interesting foodstuffs. However, I did come across a few bottles of Cheerwine, which henceforth shall be referred to as My New Favorite Thing.
I had heard of My New Favorite Thing before. As the 23rd to 27th most important junk food blogger on the internet, I hear things. All I really knew about it was that it was cherry in flavor, was old timey, and involved some kind of regionalism. The webnet has indeed confirmed that it is cherry, was produced in 1917, and is centered in North Carolina albeit with reasonable distribution in the south. You can find it places but usually cool or foodcentric people have to be involved, hence the hipster deli. Red Fraggle.
First of all, I love things cherry. Though upon reflection, my actual consumption of non-sundae cherries is fairly close to zero. Cherry Coke is my beverage of choice. I love the stuff, especially out of a fountain, and especially with a bin of movie popcorn. Cherry Icees, cherry candy, yes please.
Second of all, drinking soda out of a glass bottle is one of the best things you can do as a person. It’s just great.
Get a load of the color of that soda. It’s just gorgeous. The cherry flavor of the soda is delightful. It’s not too strong and it doesn’t taste too artificial. It’s right in that perfect zone of fruity goodness. And even though it contains a lot of sugar, it is not as sweet as I was expecting. I dare say it’s very light. I don’t usually find many sodas to be refreshing, but My New Favorite Thing definitely is. Herman’s Head.
And the bubbles! Those crazy big fat bubbles. They’re huge. Truly sublime effervescence. At times I felt as if I was drinking some kind of turn of the century tonic that was going to cure my baldness and nervous prostration.
Cheerwine. Is. Awesome.
Tragically, I only bought two bottles. I drank one on the drive home, and savored the other one like the sweet ambrosia that it is. I can’t stop thinking about this stuff. Luckily, one of my cooler students clued me into the fact that Cracker Barrel carries Cheerwine. I have been planning an after school mid-week run to pick some up. That’s a huge deal in itself.
If you haven’t tried Cheerwine, I implore you to do so. It has brought a thin beam of burgundy sunshine into my life. And if I don’t get some more soon, one of those bottles might be turned into a jagged stabby charmingly old-fashioned weapon.
The Torkelsons.
I just saw they make a diet version as well, I’m curious.
Have you ever tried Cherikee Red? even more of a regional specialty – I think it’s only available in PA and Ohio
Haven’t tried the diet. Diet drinks aren’t usually my jam. And no I haven’t heard of Cherikee Red, but I am intrigued. I’ll see if my Ohio relatives can bring me some. I don’t have anymore western PA relatives anymore. I used to spend summers outside of Pittsburgh, until all of the oldies migrated down to Florida.
I drink Diet Cheerwine every morning, after finishing my regimen of Cheerios.
Lots of good cheer!
Check out http://www.cheerwine.com
Ok this review sold me. Also: Herman’s Head.
Ive heard of this before! someone told me about it a few months ago. ohh it sounds soooo good! never saw it in stores by me though
but if I do, im picking up a bottle!
Highly recommended
I spent time in North Carolina and basically drank Cheerwine every day and night. It’s on ‘tap’ (fountain) and blows the bottled/canned versions out of the water.
The diet version is sweetened with Splenda, so it actually tastes pretty decent.
In Salisbury, NC (where the drink originated) they have a soda shop where they make all sorts of yummy treats with the syrup.
If you’re a fan of floats, try some Cheerwine with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream in it. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Cheerwine pride!
-Holly C.S.
I’m obsessed. A float sounds awesome.
Well dang, I’ve never tried it, although I’ve heard about it. I live in California and recently saw it at Nob Hill (Grocery), I haven’t had a soda in 3 months, but this looks worthy enough to break my soda-fast for…
A soda fast is more than admirable. Surely one exception can be made.
No joke, I’m actually wearing a Cheerwine t-shirt as I type this. I love it. Tough to find in Maryland, but I can find it in areas of northern va… unfortunately only the cans
I need a cheerwine shirt
food lions in sc actually sell cheerwine and sundrop ice cream bars sherbet and ice cream.
I am fortunate enough to be NC born, bred and Cheerwine-fed. The sherbet is incredible, hell even the diet stuff is delicious.
I just found your blog through Boing Boing and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through it (working my way back of course). I was very excited to see your take on Cheerwine, glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks! Love the stuff!
Dude, I am laughing out loud at my desk. You made me go made me go to the 1984-we -will-track-your-ever-move-and-sell-it-for-market-research Google owned YouTube and look up those shows. My childhood came back in loud colors (like Punky’s shoes) and much cooler music. Have the same affection for cherry except in one area-Slush Puppies. Where under God’s blue heaven can you get one in Florida? I have been craving a grape Slush Puppy for ages now. If you find that, I may have to give you my
Star Wars board game from the ’70. {maybe}
Thanks!
Haha, thanks! And I think Slush Puppies are like Bigfoots. If you set out to look for them, you will never find them. In my experience, they usually turn up randomly at the weirdest shadiest gas stations.