Sum Poosie: Provocative Energy Drink Stirs Up Fun at Bars, Retailers

If a man walks into a bar and you hear him ask, "Can I get Sum Poosie here?" don't be alarmed. It's just a new energy drink.

Okay. So maybe your mind has to be a little in the gutter to get the concept. If you didn't get it, reread the first paragraph, this time paying very close attention to the pronunciation of Sum Poosie. Now do you get it?

Creators of this drink want you to think pink, drink pink. And forget all about Red Bull.

Sum Poosie Cat, its full name, is an energy drink with a shiny, sexy image to match the provocative name-- and it is relatively new new to alterna-beverage scene, available only in about a dozen states.

The company's president, Drayton Nay of Florida Beach Beverages explains in the company website that he stumbled upon a then new energy drink in the late 90s. He was at a beverage show in Las Vegas when a man approached him with a sample of a drink. Nay did not care for the taste. The vendor told him that the taste will grow on him, that it is going to be the hottest thing to hit the US-- and that if he ordered a pallet, he'd appoint Nay the sole distributor of his state.

Nay said, well, nay. What did he turn down? Red Bull. Despite Red Bull being a giant hit, Nay still thought there could be a better tasting energy drink. So, Sum Poosie was born.

Dan Androckitis, owner of Dan's Keystone Grille in Plains Township, Pa. is one of the newest distributors. His Long Island-based clam delivery guy knew Androckitis was an energy drink fan, so when he saw Sum Poosie, he knew he had to show his client.

"It's a pretty awesome energy drink," said Androckitis, likening the flavor to Cherokee Red, a cherry-flavored soda.

Androckitis' wife encouraged the bar/restaurant owner to look into placing an order, but the interest in getting Sum Poosie ended up going further. Two months later, he became Pennsylvania's sole distributor of the drink.

It didn't take the couple long to figure out all the fun things to do with Sum Poosie, referring to a recipe book full of provacative drink names such as the Creamed Poosie-- Sum Poosie, Irish cream and vanilla vodka. There's also the Poosie Bomb, Buttered-n-Hot Poosie and the Cat Tail, which is Sum Poosie mixed with a light beer, which Androckitis says tastes like Spumaniti and perfect for girls who don't like beer.

The can features real models, which will be on tour to promote the beverages. While the drink may not be accepted by convenient stores, the bar, nightclub and adult entertainment scene are taking in the energy drink. In fact, the launch of the product in Pennsylvania will be at a gentleman's club with the local roller girls team presenting samples on skates.

Nay has also created "Poosie Gear," or a clothing line for the energy drink including thongs, boy shorts, tank tops and more.

Inside Sum Poosie: Sum Poosie comes in a 16-ounce can, with two 8-ounce servings. Per serving, there are 110 calories and 29g of carbs. It also includes 50% of the daily value of vitamins B6 and B12. The ingredients are: Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Caffeine, Glucosamine Sulfate, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, Ginseng.