Table of Contents
Cheerwine is the soda Cook Out is most closely tied to, and the float it makes from it costs 20 cents more than the plain drink. Cheerwine was created in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1917 by L.D. Peeler, according to the company's own history and the Salisbury Post, and a 2016 report described the business as still run by the founding family. At Cook Out a regular is $2.19, a large is $2.39 and a Cheerwine float, with soft serve, is also $2.39 at 401 calories.
- 1917
- Year Cheerwine began
- 144
- Calories, regular 16 oz
- $0.20
- Extra cost of the float
- 401
- Calories in a float
Salisbury, North Carolina
40 g of sugar
$2.39 against $2.19
Coke float is 399
What are the Cheerwine sizes?
| Size | Ounces | Calories | Carbs and sugar | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 12 | 108 | 30 g | Not listed |
| Regular | 16 | 144 | 40 g | $2.19 |
| Large | 24 | 216 | 60 g | $2.39 |
| Huge | 32 | 288 | 81 g | Not listed |
Every size runs 9 calories and 2.5 grams of sugar per ounce. A Huge Cheerwine has 288 calories against a Huge Coca-Cola's 280, so the two are within 3% of each other.
How does the float compare with a plain drink?
| Cheerwine, regular | Cheerwine float | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 144 | 401 |
| Fat | 0 g | 11 g |
| Sugar | 40 g | 67 g |
| Protein | 0 g | 10 g |
| Calcium | 0% | 33% DV |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 303 mg |
| Price | $2.19 | $2.39 |
The soft serve adds 257 calories, 11 grams of fat and 10 grams of protein for a 20-cent price step, among the cheapest desserts on the board. Daily Meal's milkshake ranking suggests pairing a vanilla soft serve with a Cheerwine or Coke float, and Cheerwine's own TikTok account promotes a Cherry Cheesecake milkshake poured with a no-ice Cheerwine as a superior float.
What do diners say?
The float draws repeat orders. A Tripadvisor reviewer titled a Norfolk review "Cheerwine Float!", another in Cleveland, Tennessee posted a photo of one, and a visitor said they ordered it on both visits. A Yahoo writer described the Cheerwine as sweet and fizzy cherry soda that is smooth, with no medicinal cherry taste. One Tripadvisor reviewer disliked the ice cream in the Coke float, though the iced tea was good.
Why order Cheerwine over Coke?
Anyone who wants a regional soda with a dessert option for 20 cents. See the floats guide for the other three, and the drinks guide for every size and price.