LISBON — Moxie has never tasted better.

Lisbon’s annual Moxie Festival kicked off Friday night with a recipe contest featuring mouthwatering dishes — with a twist. They all shared a “Maine” ingredient: Moxie.

Every year, Moxie-loving foodies gather in Lisbon and challenge themselves — and each other — to make the most innovative, creative and tasty Moxie-infused recipes possible.

This year’s competition lineup might just have been the best one yet.

From Moxie mango meatballs to Moxie creampuffs and even Moxie bacon-wrapped mushrooms, the contest’s dishes were so good that even the most Moxie-hating spectator was bound to come back for seconds.

Sporting a festive neon orange mohawk, Susan Dugas came all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio, for her first Moxie Festival.

Gary Gorky of Worcester, Massachusetts, and his college friends from Clark University get in line Friday to try Moxie Mango Meatballs during the Moxie Festival Recipe Contest at Lisbon High School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

“It’s fabulous fun!” she said of being one of the spectators at the contest.

Even before spectators were allowed to try the food, Dugas had already selected her favorite: Jessie Irwin’s entry of pork, collard greens and beans.

“Her cooking seems very similar to mine, so I think that’ll be the one I like most,” Dugas said.

To create her culinary invention, Irwin melted down 12 cans of Moxie to make molasses. While she thought the syrup paired well with her dish she “pled the fifth” when asked if she liked Moxie.

“It’s distinctively different,” she said, quoting one of the divisive soda’s slogans.

Dugas wasn’t just excited to sample the food, she was stoked to have the chance to tell her son, Craig Dugas, all about the Moxie-themed cooking contest.

“It’s his favorite drink. He will be so impressed, or jealous that I’m here. I’m not sure which,” she explained with a laugh.

Attendees taste samples of dishes served Friday during the Moxie Festival Recipe Contest. Everything on the menu included Moxie in the recipe. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Not only were folks at the Moxie recipe contest eager to tell their relatives all about the Moxie-lovin’ event, the contest itself was a family affair for many.

Grandmothers and granddaughters, fathers and sons and sisters and brothers competed against each other, all while sharing their love of Moxie.

Josh Ward, who won the crowd favorite award for his Moxie carnitas, was competing with three generations of his family.

“Four generations,” according to Ward — if you count his grandmother’s bean pot.

His mother, Heather Ward, also won big at the competition, scoring first place in the appetizer/side category for her Moxie baked beans.

Both were quick to point out that Josh’s son, Avery, was also competing — as the contest’s youngest participant.

Avery made his own Moxie-infused bundt cake and “he did everything on his own but take it out of the oven,” Josh said beaming with pride.

According to Avery, he’s been baking since he was 2 years old.

Lisa Ward, organizer of the Moxie Festival Recipe Contest, gives longtime contestant Brian Lovering a hug Friday following the contest at Lisbon High School. Lovering has entered the recipe contest for the past 12 years. His Moxie Mango Meatballs won third place Friday for the main dish category. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Asked about his experience baking the cake, Avery said “it was pretty difficult” but participating in the contest “has been really fun.”

The Wards were not the only family forging new Moxie-themed memories at the contest.

Patti Bailey was participating in the contest with two of her granddaughters, one of whom could not make it in-person.

“We have a Moxie family here!” she proudly exclaimed.

Bailey’s recipe reflected her family-oriented attitude.

“My mom loved Moxie,” Bailey said, “She could drink it everyday.”

To pay homage to her late mother and her devotion to Lisbon’s favorite drink, Bailey decided to name her recipe “Mom’s Moxie Cake.”

When her cake won third place, she was overcome with emotion.

“I never expected to win anything,” she explained.

Her victory was only made sweeter by her 15-year-old granddaughter, Daelynn Faber, winning second place in the category for her Moxie brownie cupcakes.

Bailey was particularly proud of her daughter’s accolade because “she was so shy about competing at first.”

Ellen Martel, left, reacts after her Moxie BBQ Plate won the main dish category Friday during the Moxie Festival Recipe Contest at Lisbon High School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

According to Moxie Recipe Contest organizer Lisa Ward, this year’s Moxie recipe contest had the most child participants ever. She said she was in awe of the kids’ bravery to compete head-to-head with the adults.

Not only did this year’s recipe contest feature families, it also saw the return of seasoned veterans.

An 11-time champion Brian Lovering was back serving up some mango Moxie meatballs.

Lovering explained that he doesn’t just cook with Moxie for the festival, but uses the soda as a secret ingredient frequently.

He often cooks Moxie-infused dishes for his coworkers and uses them as guinea pigs for future Moxie Recipe Contest entrees.

Asked if he’ll return for next year’s contest, he said “Every year I can come here, I’ll be here. I love it.”

Lovering’s entry won third in the main dish category.

Not all of this year’s victors, however, are sure they’ll come back for another contest — at least, not as a participant.

Ellen Martel has been a Moxie Recipe Contest legend. She’s won first place for the last three years in a row, each time in a different category. This year she won the top prize in the main dish category, which she explained is the hardest.

“I think it might be time to retire,” she said with a laugh.

MOXIE RECIPE CONTEST WINNERS

Crowd Favorite

Josh Ward: Moxie Carnitas

Appetizers/Sides

1st: Heather Ward, Moxie Baked Beans

2nd: Ilanna Gray, Moxie Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms

3rd: Miles Gray, Moxie Hot Wings

Main Dish

1st: Ellen Martel, Moxie Barbecue Plate

2nd: Josh Ward, Moxie Carinitas

3rd: Brian Lovering, Moxie Mango Meatballs

Dessert

1st: Eli Macvane, Moxie Cream Puffs

2nd: Daelynn Faber, Moxie Brownie Cupcakes

3rd: Patti Bailey, Mom’s Moxie Cake