The Coca-Cola Company has agreed to acquire US soft drink brand Moxie from its bottling partner Coca-Cola of Northern New England.

Claimed to be the official state beverage of Maine, the soft drink brand is expected to continue its bottling operations in New Hampshire, US.

Coca-Cola spokeswoman Lauren Thompson was quoted by Associated Press as saying: “Moxie is a great brand with a great heritage. Coca-Cola Northern New England has been a strong steward of the brand over the last decade and we take seriously our responsibility to ensure it stays true to its Northeastern roots.”

“Coca-Cola Northern New England has been a strong steward of the brand over the last decade.”

The deal is expected to close in Q4 2018.

Earlier this month, Coca-Cola signed a definitive agreement to acquire a minor stake in sports drink maker Bodyarmor.

The deal is said to have provided a new platform for Bodyarmor to access the expansive Coca-Cola bottling system, as well as an opportunity to accelerate the brands’ growth in the global market.

The investment in Bodyarmor will be part of the Coca-Cola North America Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) investment portfolio.

Coca-Cola North America president Jim Dinkins said: “In a fast-moving and dynamic industry, and during a time of unprecedented change at Coca-Cola, we’re challenging the status quo and bringing innovative, boundary-less thinking to our strategic relationships to ensure we are offering the products consumers want.”