Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Question: In 1965, Ohio became the first state to adopt an official state beverage. What was it?

Answer: Tomato juice.

Ohio lawmakers named tomato juice the official state beverage in 1965, timing the designation to the Tomato Festival in Reynoldsburg. At the time, Ohio trailed only California in tomato juice production. The state later doubled down by naming the tomato itself the official state fruit. Not everyone has been on board: a 2019 bill would have replaced tomato juice with apple cider, but it never made it out of committee.