2023 CAROLINA'S FINEST

Cheerwine

Finest Made in NC Product

By Leah Chester Davis

November 2023

This uniquely Southern soft drink with the fizzy wild cherry taste first captured the state’s tastebuds in 1917 when good ol’ ingenuity during the World War I sugar shortage resulted in its creation. Cheerwine has been going strong ever since. Now that is something to celebrate!

Cheerwine

Available in stores nationwide | cheerwine.com

Cheerwine is so popular in its hometown of Salisbury that when the city hosted a big celebration in 2017 to commemorate 100 years, the annual Cheerwine Festival was born. Cheerwine brings together fans of all ages for live music, games, food, unique crafts and all the Cheerwine you can drink at this fun festival. The soft drink has its own fan club and Cheerwine lovers are invited to become Cheerwine Tastemakers.

“I get cravings for Cheerwine and can’t rest until I get some.”

—Deborah Godfrey, Sanford, a member of Central Electric

This year’s runners-up

House of Morgan Pewter, Kinston
Texas Pete, Winston-Salem

About the Author

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Her business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializes in food, farm, gardening and lifestyle brands and organizations.