1

Jones Cream Soda

Image: Kevin Butz

Cream soda is a sweet soft drink, typically flavored with vanilla and inspired by the taste of an ice cream float . Many brands and variations can be found across America, and its roots can be traced to at least 150 years ago. Interestingly, Jones Cream Soda, which started in 1886, is not even the oldest one around.

This drink is available in both regular and diet options, and it's also one of the most popular mixers for alcoholic beverages. Cream soda is one of those drinks people associate with their childhood, and it's the perfect perfect pairing for ice cream.

2

Dr. Brown’s Root Beer

Image: David Trinks

Root beer is a sweet and classic American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree as the primary flavor . Root beer is usually alcohol and caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated, with a thick, foamy head.

Dr. Brown's version of this classic soda is unbeatable, offering a harmonious blend of sugar and spice. It’s not just sweet—it boasts a distinct celery seed earthiness that keeps every sip interesting.

3

Olipop Lemon Lime

Image: Mariah Hewines

Lemon lime drinks have been around for a long time now (just ask Sprite or 7-Up), but Olipop manages to add a new twist to this old classic. This fizzy tonic boasts prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, which not only taste great but also help your digestive health.

Olipop is also low in sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in sweetness. It uses cassava root and other alternative sweeteners to maintain its delicious flavor.

4

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

Image: Nick Fewings

Tonic water is often considered a soda for adults due to its bitter taste. However, the brave ones who love this delicious beverage will find Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean Tonic Water has the perfect mix of bitterness for tonic water fans, but a balanced flavor that makes it appropriate for people who are just dipping their toe into the tonic water.

In addition to that traditional quinine flavor, this tonic is infused with rosemary and lemon thyme , adding a layer of complexity to its taste.

5

Cheerwine

Image: sq lim

Named for its color and taste, Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink with a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry . It is burgundy-colored and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks.

Cheerwine is widely available throughout the southeastern United States, from Maryland to Florida, but it is best known and beloved in the Carolinas.

6

Sangrita Blast Mountain Dew

Image: Ashley Kirk

As the "Limited Edition" tag implies, this product was only available for a limited time, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. Sangrita Blast, a Citrus Punch-flavored Mountain Dew with a maroon hue, was available at Taco Bell restaurants from 2013 to 2017. It was also released in cans and bottles in 2015 for a short period.

7

Cactus Cooler

Image: Thomas Verbruggen

Cactus Cooler is an orange-pineapple-flavored soft drink sold primarily in Southern California and the surrounding Southwestern region. The orange flavor is very present, with the pineapple appearing a bit behind but adding a layer of complexity to the overall flavor.

This soda has no caffeine, making it a safe product for anyone who gets the jitters from caffeine-infused beverages.

8

United Sodas Toasted Coconut

Image: Jonas Dücker

The words "healthy" and "soda" are not usually heard together but this is one of those occasions. United Sodas is a healthy soda brand that offers products with a lightly carbonated fizz and low sugar content.

Their Toasted Coconut flavor stands out with its distinctive coconut taste. Each can contains fewer than 30 calories, has no artificial ingredients, and is organically sweetened —making it the perfect alternative for health-conscious soda lovers.

9

Boylan Creme Soda

Image: Gourmet Lenz

Even if we started this list with a cream soda, we couldn’t leave out Boylan’s version. This glass-bottled beverage has a rich vanilla flavor and a robust amount of carbonation that make it very easy to drink.

While many cream sodas can be overly sweet, Boylan’s is refreshing, complex, and downright delicious. The use of cane sugar gives it a crisp, clean flavor all the way to the last drop.

10

Moxie

Image: Tom Paolini

The last entry on our list is a bitter and herbal soda named Moxie. It originated in Maine in the late 1800s as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food." It is flavored with gentian root, sassafras, wintergreen, and other herbs.

Though still somewhat unique to the Northeast, Moxie has become more widely available in specialty and larger grocery stores since Coca-Cola acquired the brand in 2018. Have you ever seen it?

1

Alabama’s Southern charm

Image: Nathan Anderson

You may know Alabama for the peanuts, the cotton, and of course, that typical Southern hospitality. You may also know it for the iconic song "Sweet Home Alabama," but the Southern state has one more thing (or person to be more precise) to make it stand out: Zelda Fitzgerald.

Zelda was a novelist, painter, and socialite, a shining star of the 1920s, known for her creative spirit and marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Zelda embodied the roaring ‘20s and left a lasting artistic legacy.

And as if art was not enough for Alabama, it also produced one of the most important figures in the fight for Civil rights and that’s Rosa Parks whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked a movement that changed history. Quite a way to kick it off, huh?

2

Arkansas’ man in black

Image: Tommy Bond

The second state is known for its rivers, its lakes, and a bit of extreme weather. Arkansas is famous for its natural beauty, but it’s also the birthplace of one of the most iconic musicians of all time: Johnny Cash.

The "Man in Black" captured the hearts of millions with his deep voice and soulful songs like "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire." Cash’s music transcended genres, blending country, folk, and rock with themes of heartache, redemption, and rebellion.

Few artists have left a mark as deep as Johnny Cash and we’ve got Arkansas to thank!

3

Delaware’s lifesaving innovator

Image: Josefina Lacroze

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Delaware? Is it that it was the first state to ratify the Consitution? Maybe it’s the fact that it is a tax-free state. But did you know this is also Henry Heimlich’s home state ?

If you find that name familiar, it’s because you probably heard of the maneuver. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, revolutionized the field of emergency medicine with the creation of the Heimlich Maneuver.

This simple but life-saving technique has helped countless people who were choking, cementing Heimlich’s place in medical history. Delaware may be famous for being the "First State," but Heimlich’s contribution proves that it’s also a state of firsts when it comes to saving lives.

4

Georgia on our minds

Image: Joey Kyber

Yes, we all know about the peaches, but Georgia has so much more to offer! This state is also the birthplace of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders: None other than Martin Luther King Jr!

MLK was born in Atlanta, and he became the face of the 1960s civil rights movement, advocating for non-violent resistance and racial equality. His speech "I Have a Dream" was powerful and it remains today as a call for justice. King’s leadership in desegregating the South and fighting for civil rights earned him the Nobel Peace Prize so this state has more than one reason to feel proud. Way to go, Georgia!

5

Illinois’ creative geniuses

Image: Joel Mott

The land of corn and the first McDonalds in America is also home to great creative minds like that of the great Walt Disney!

Born in Chicago, a city particularly known for its artistic spirit, Disney revolutionized the world of animation. Who doesn’t love that fun and loving Mickey Mouse? Or that magical castle that receives visitors from all over in Disney World. He created a truly magical world!

But that is not all, this state also gave us the literary icon Ernest Hemingway, whose works like The Old Man and the Sea continue to be read and loved all over the globe. Disney’s creativity and Hemingway’s literary genius… How are the rest of the states going to top that? Keep reading and you’ll see!

6

Kansas’ flying heroine

Image: Heyzeus Escribo

Kansas may be known for its wheat fields, but it’s also the home of one of history’s greatest aviators: Amelia Earhart.

Amelia was born in Atchison, Kansas, and she made the headlines as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. This was a turning point in history, as women in aviation were not a thing at all! One can easily imagine how inspiring it was for the rest of the women to pursue this kind of adventure, even when the tragic finale remains one of history’s unsolved mysteries. Her feat was an achievement for women and for aviation too!

Kansas, raise your glasses in pride, to celebrate this courageous woman!

7

Louisiana’s jazz royalty

Image: Joe Lavigne

How many films are set in this vibrant city? We say Louisiana and you think of music, right? And more than that, you probably think of the one and only Louis Armstrong , don’t you? As you should!

With his majestic voice and his amazing trumpet playing, Armstrong remains today as one of the brightest jazz stars. He was born in the heart of New Orleans and he contributed music with some of the greatest hits like "What a Wonderful World." His music shaped the sound of 20th-century jazz.

But that’s not all, Louisiana also gave us literary genius Truman Capote, who wrote classics like In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s . This is a state that knows how to produce world-class talent, don’t you think?

8

Massachusetts’ master of the macabre

Image: Piermario Eva

Massachusetts didn’t need to prove anything, that is, this was the place where the Pilgrims landed. We could say it’s the birthplace of our nation. But Massachusetts didn’t come here to play, it also gave us one of America’s most famous literary figures, Edgar Allan Poe .

Poe was born in Boston, and he is known for being the master of the macabre: He wrote thrilling stories with a gothic style like The Raven and The Telltale Heart.

More related to the history Massachusetts is known for, this is also the birthplace of one of America’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin , who helped shape the American Revolution and contributed to innovations in science. Did Massachusetts win the contest or what?

9

Michigan’s motorman

Image: Bruno Guerrero

Sometimes it’s not very clear what came first, it still remains a mystery whether the chicken or the egg came first. Now, in the case of Michigan, there’s no doubt what came first. This is the home state of Henry Ford and that is why this state suddenly came to be known for the automobile industry.

Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the introduction of the assembly line, making cars affordable to the middle class and transforming the way products were made. His Model T became a symbol of the modern world. Michigan’s Motor City, Detroit, owes much of its fame to Ford’s pioneering work. A word and legacy that is still a reality today!

10

Mississippi’s musical legends

Image: Jp Valery

We couldn’t end this article without including one of America’s most beloved characters. And this might cloud your judgment, but it will probably help you choose a winner. Mississippi is the birthplace of none other than the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley!

We don’t need to describe how influential Elvis was, or how his music contributions changed the industry forever. If this had been everything Mississippi had to offer, it would have been more than enough!

But the state’s contributions don’t end there, Mississippi saw many more great minds, like

Tennessee Williams , the famous playwright. He was known for works like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or A Streetcar Named Desire . From rock ‘n’ roll to Broadway, Magnolia State’s influence is undeniable.

1

The Real Huckleberry Finn

Image: Demure Storyteller

As mentioned earlier, Huckleberry Finn was, at least in part, based on a real person. Much of Mark Twain’s inspiration comes from his own life and experiences. Though Huckleberry Finn is a fictional character, his appearance, demeanor, and lifestyle closely mirror almost exactly Mr. Twain’s dear childhood friend, Tom Blankenship.

Huckleberry Finn first appeared in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before becoming the central figure in his own story, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , a work widely regarded as a cornerstone of American literature.

2

Education

Image: Johnny Cohen

Mark Twain’s intellectual achievements might suggest he was a highly academically educated individual, but that was not the case. He had to leave school at a very early age to help support his family after his father’s death.

After he dropped out of school, Twain began working at the Hannibal Journal , where his writing career would find its start. Always the avid reader, he was known to spend hours each evening in the library, immersing himself in books.

3

Steamboat pilot

Image: Andreas Haubold

In 1857, Mark Twain began his career as an apprentice steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River . Soon after, he recruited his younger brother to work on the vessel as well, but tragedy struck one day as he died from an explosion on the steamboat. Despite this heartbreaking event, Twain continued his training and earned his pilot’s license in 1859, working as a pilot until the outbreak of the Civil War.

In June 1902, he paid his final visit to the Mississippi River when he accepted an honorary degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia and participated in the dedication of a steamboat named in his honor.

4

Pen Names

Image: Patrick Fore

It is a well-known fact that Mark Twain, though a great name indeed, was not our hero’s real birthname which was Samuel Langhorne Clemens . Choosing a memorable pen name can be a lengthy process, and many authors experiment with a few before settling on one.

Before adopting the now-famous "Mark Twain," Clemens tested out some unusual pseudonyms, including "Epaminondas Adrastus Blab" and "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass."

5

Miner years

Image: Art Institute of Chicago

A man unafraid of trying new things, Mark Twain also worked as a miner in Nevada , where he and his brother fled, avoiding the Civil War. He later described the work as "hard and long and dismal."

His stint as a miner was short-lived, as he quickly landed his first writing job at The Territorial Enterprise newspaper in Virginia City. There he was tasked with covering crime, politics, culture, and, also, mining.

6

19 cats

Image: Paul Hanaoka

A hardcore cat enthusiast, Mr. Twain was so fond of these felines that he even "rented" them to keep him company while traveling . At one point in his life, he reportedly had 19 cats at the same time.

When asked about this obsession, Twain replied that he found cats much preferable to humans, even going as far as saying, "If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat."

7

Board game inventor

Image: Jaciel Melnik

Perhaps learning about English monarchs was a fun activity in the times of Mark Twain but, in any case, it served as the inspiration for a board game he invented and patented , called Memory Builder.

Memory Builder wasn’t Twain’s only invention. He also designed a self-adhesive scrapbook that works like an envelope and created an improvement in adjustable and detachable straps for women’s bras.

8

Bed writer

Image: Annie Spratt

Some might think that working in bed all day would be extremely uncomfortable, especially due to posture. However, Mark Twain found it absolutely delightful, and it became his favorite place to work.

In his old age, Mark Twain was often photographed in his bed, smoking away a cigar or pipe while writing. Though he owned many houses throughout his life, he had only one favorite bed, which he kept with him until the end.

9

Bad businessman

Image: Vasilis Caravitis

Being a great author doesn’t guarantee being successful in other things as well. Despite dabbling in many business investments, Twain’s financial endeavors were largely unsuccessful. He lost money in mining and technology ventures and even went bankrupt.

However, he always managed to make a comeback with his writing and his lectures, proving that his known talents were generous and reliable.

10

Predicted his own death

Image: Frank Zinsli

In 1909, Mark Twain predicted that he would die when Halley’s Comet returned . This was because the last time the comet passed near Earth was the year of his birth. Unfortunately, he was right, and he passed away in 1910.

Twain's family was by his side when he died, and he was buried in Elmira, New York. The exact cause of his death remains a mystery to this day.