In Riverside, New Jersey, located in Burlington County, pharmacist Benjamin Faunce created a soda at the beginning of the 20th Century. This soda, originally called Tak-ABoost, was initially advertised as a healthy drink which promised various benefits, most notably increasing endurance during strenuous activity and helping children digest milk.

Over 100 years later, Boost!, the current and modern name, is a widely loved drink in Riverside nearby municipalities like Mt. Holly, Delran, and Burlington City, in addition to various other towns in Western Burlington County. However, even though the drink is popular in Burlington County, if you go on a 25 minute drive on I-295 to Cherry Hill, the drink is largely unknown. Importantly, Boost! is not the same thing as Boost, another popular drink found throughout the country. Boost is a milk based nutritional drink based by Nestlé, Boost! is the regional cola that is beloved in some parts of the state.

I found out about Boost! during an internship in Mt. Holly, NJ that I did over the summer. With both a unique taste and packaging, it was distinct from anything I had ever seen. Boost! comes in a half gallon glass container that says “Concentrated blend of citrus fruit syrup” and “Makes 40 8 oz drinks.” The concentration of the drink is so strong that to drink the soda, you need one part soda and five parts water. By drinking Boost! straight, not only will the taste be strong to the point of being unenjoyable, the caffeine content will be as much as several cups of coffee. I found out from experience. When I added water and enjoyed the soda the way it was supposed to be made, I realized why the regional cola is so popular. Boost! has a very distinct taste. If I could compare it to anything, it is closest to a less sweet Lemon Coca-Cola.

Another distinctive feature of the soda is that unlike popular national drinks, Boost! cola is not traditionally carbonated, with the soda usually being flat. However, there are various ways that the texture of Boost! has been altered. Notably, Boost! is enjoyed in the form of a slushie drink made with ice and the concentrate also gets added to seltzer in other locations.

In my opinion the “Concentrated blend of citrus fruit syrup” on the label doesn’t do the soda justice. Boost! might have a unique flavor, but it is definitely worth looking into if you are curious. The half gallon concentrate in the distinct glass container is sold at various convenience stores across Burlington County, especially in Riverside. For those wanting to try it in slushee form, Ummm Ice Cream Parlor in Burlington New Jersey sells the product. Boost! in the slushee, seltzer or traditional form is not exclusive to those two locations and can be found throughout the county. However, since it is a regional soda, make sure to check if the place you are going to carry it so you don’t leave the long trip empty handed.

In The United States, each area of the country is unique in its own way. From the way the people talk, dress, eat and drink, each part of the country has qualities that are distinct to the location. What might seem like a mundane part of life to one person in the country might seem different and exciting to someone visiting or being somewhere the business is expanding. This is true for fast food chains, supermarkets, restaurants, and specific types and styles of food and drinks, in addition to other pieces of culture that people enjoy that are unique to where they live. Within the world, and even the state, there are interesting cultural items everywhere. It is up to all those looking for new experiences to try to find those hidden gems that make each place special.