State Drink Of Indiana

So, you’re looking for the official State Drink of Indiana, huh? Grab a seat and a napkin, because you’re about to get a glass full of Hoosier history, and it’s not what you’d expect. I’ll give you a hint: it’s not milk, not bourbon, and definitely not the mysterious brown sludge from the soda fountain at the local gas station. Drumroll, please… it’s water.

Yes, you read that right. In 2020, Indiana’s state legislature, in a move of either astonishing common sense or sheer laziness, declared water the official state drink. They beat out 49 other states, all of whom probably thought they had a monopoly on H2O. The bill was sponsored by Representative Sean Eberhart, who said, “Water is a natural resource we often take for granted.” Thanks, Captain Obvious—but at least he got a cool piece of trivia out of it.

The Great Hoosier Hydration Debate

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t water the state drink of every state? Like, by default?” Apparently not. Indiana wanted to make it official, probably because they were tired of losing the “official state fruit” wars to Florida. The best part? The bill passed unanimously. Imagine the debate: “Should it be water?” “Yes.” “Should it be milk?” “No, that’s New York’s thing.” “Done.”

But let’s be real—Indiana had some wild contenders. For decades, there were whispers of sugar cream pie-flavored milk, or maybe a hoppy craft beer from the breweries in Bloomington. But water, the clear, boring champion, won. Why? Because it’s everywhere in Indiana, from the Great Lakes to the underground aquifers that make the state a giant, invisible sponge. Plus, it pairs perfectly with corn, which is… also everywhere.

Wait, There’s a Catch

Okay, so water is the official drink, but not the official beverage. The state of Indiana is sly like a fox. The official beverage—get this—is unpasteurized whole milk. Yes, they double-dipped. So you can have a glass of water for patriotism, but if you want to be truly Hoosier, you chug raw milk. Just don’t do it from a cow named Bessie—that’s not state-sanctioned.

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Fun fact: Indiana is the only state with two official drinks. They couldn’t choose between boring and weird, so they went with both. It’s like ordering a salad and a triple cheeseburger. The milk law was pushed by dairy farmers, who are basically the mob of the Midwest. But the water lobby? They just sat back, laughed, and handed out free hydration.

The Real Hero: The Water Itself

Indiana’s water is surprisingly fancy. The state sits on top of the Wabash River Valley Aquifer, a massive underground lake that’s been soaking up rainwater since the dinosaurs were still figuring out what to wear. That means the official state drink comes from a source that’s older than your grandma’s fruitcake recipe. And it’s delicious. I once drank tap water in Indianapolis and felt a sudden urge to write a folk song about it.

But here’s the kicker: Indiana’s water is so good that the state exports it to places like California and Arizona. That’s right—Hoosier water is fighting droughts across the country. You could be drinking a bottle of Indiana rainwater right now, and you didn’t even send a thank-you card. The official state drink is basically a superhero cape without the tights.

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How to Celebrate Like a True Hoosier

To properly honor the State Drink of Indiana, find any faucet—anywhere—and run it for three seconds. Then, dramatically raise the glass to the sky and whisper, “For the corn, for the basketball, for the Indianapolis 500.” Take a sip. You’ll feel an immediate sense of pride, followed by confusion as to why you’re not at a tractor pull. If you want to be extra, serve it in a mason jar with a sprig of mint, which is not the state herb (that’s peppermint, by the way).

Or, if you’re feeling rebellious, pour a glass of milk at the same time and yell, “I am the dual citizen!” You’ll either be hailed as a patriot or kicked out of the Applebee’s. Either way, you’ll have a story.

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A Surprising Twist: The Health Police

One thing you might not know: Indiana’s water is so revered that the state has a “Water Quality Advisory Board” that meets weekly to ensure no one’s spiking the public supply with hoppy beer or pickle juice. They take their job seriously. In 2022, they fined a farmer for accidentally dropping a soybean into a creek. The soybean was released on probation.

So next time you’re in Indiana and a local offers you a glass of tap water, don’t be offended. It’s a rite of passage. Chug it, wipe your mouth with your sleeve, and say, “That’s good Hoosier juice.” They’ll nod, hand you a corn cob pipe, and you’ll be an honorary Midwesterner for life. Just don’t ask for the milk—that’s for emergencies only.

And if you’re from a state that doesn’t have an official drink? Jealousy is a dry thirst. Indiana has water. You have Pepsi, probably. But hey, at least you’re hydrated.