An after-work cocktail with co-workers, a cocktail with your significant other over a candlelit dinner, or a celebratory cocktail at a wedding reception can warm your tummy and give you a nice buzz. You may have your go-to cocktail but did you know that different states prefer different combinations? You might be surprised to find out that your preference doesn’t align with the general population of the state where you reside.
Some states team up and agree that certain cocktails are top-tier. Others stand alone with their preferences, inviting curiosity from those in other states. Whether you’re curious about each state’s favorites or you’re looking to try a new cocktail, check out the list below and find inspiration.
Some of the cocktails are simple, requiring only a couple of ingredients. They’re the no-fuss drinks you can count on when you just want to relax and start sipping. More specialty cocktails have a longer list of ingredients and garnishes to spruce them up and impress your guests. Whether you like vodka, tequila, or rum, there’s an option in this list that’s sure to spark a craving.
You may just find yourself gravitating to your liquor cabinet after reading through this list, ready to indulge in a new flavor pairing. Or maybe you’ll remember an old favorite and want to take a stroll down memory lane, cocktail in hand. If so, be sure to follow a good recipe, share it with someone you love, and most importantly: drink responsibly. (Here are some tips on what not to order at a bar .)
To compile the list of the most popular cocktails in each state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from QR Code Generator, a site that conducted a state-specific study that reveals which cocktails are the most queried (and therefore most sought after). We also include information on drinking rates in the U.S. taken from Gallup News and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Aperol Spritz
- States : Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington
If you enjoy a bit of fizz in your cocktail and avoid anything too sweet, the Aperol spritz is a great choice. You can enjoy it year-round but it makes for a particularly delectable cocktail during warm weather because of how refreshing it is. To put it together, you only need a few ingredients: Aperol, prosecco, club soda, and ice. Make it fancy with a slice of orange as the garnish. Serve the ingredients in your favorite wine glass and sip away.
Margarita
- States : Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
There is the skinny variety, the strawberry variety, the frozen variety, and even the Cadillac variety. But the classic margarita skips the bottled mix and offers a richer flavor experience, never masking the taste of your favorite tequila. The classic recipe calls for blanco quality (go for the top shelf stuff), triple sec, fresh lime juice, and lime wheels and coarse salt to dress your glass. Pour your ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice, and give it a good shake. You’ll feel your hands get cold. Prepare your glasses (and include fresh ice) before you strain your delicious green-tinged drink.
Moscow Mule
- States : Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming
It’s the drink served in a copper cup. This is done so that your drink stays cold and you get to enjoy the blend of flavors. No one loves a warm Moscow mule. It’s designed to be refreshing. The recipe calls for a few key ingredients and they include ginger beer, vodka of your choice, and lime juice. To serve, set up your copper cup, garnish it with a lime wedge, and add a little sprig of mint. With this cocktail, you don’t need a cocktail shaker. Just pour your ingredients over ice and enjoy.
Mojito
- States : Arkansas and Kentucky
Yet another cocktail meant to help cool you off, the mojito invites you to experience flavors native to Cuba. That’s where this drink originated. The original recipe included aguardiente but today, that ingredient is replaced with white rum. Along with white rum, you also combine club soda, simple syrup, mint leaves, and freshly squeezed lime juice. To garnish your creation, you add a lime wheel and a mint sprig. (Here are 15 things you should know about the classic mojito .)
Bellini
A bellini gives you a reason to dig out your champagne flutes and get a little fancy (with little effort). You just need peach puree, chilled prosecco, and a couple of peach slices. The chilled prosecco is key with this drink because once it’s warm, it’s not nearly as pleasant. The fresh fruit adds some flair and the peach puree makes it absolutely delicious.
El Diablo
Delawareans have a well-kept secret in their favorite cocktail. While most states gravitate toward some of the more well-known cocktails, in Delaware, an El Diablo is the way to go. This classic cocktail requires only a few ingredients and how you combine them impacts the appearance of the drink. Shake it all up and you get a reddish-purple drink. Pour the drinks individually and slowly, and you have a layered drink that forms a halo on the top just before the liqueur makes its way down to meld with the other additions. The ingredients include reposado tequila, creme de cassis, ginger beer, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a lime wedge as the garnish.
Daiquiri
In Louisiana, locals gravitate to the daiquiri. This is a simple, ultra-fresh cocktail that you can customize to your liking. The original recipe only calls for rum, lime juice, and sugar. But when the weather is sweltering in the south, you may want to get creative and toss in some frozen fruit and blend it up for a version that gives you sweet relief from the heat and a slight buzz.
Paloma
Data suggests New Mexico has a special appreciation for the classic paloma cocktail. This drink incorporates tequila, grapefruit soda, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup (you can substitute this with agave). If you want to dress it up, you have the option to add grapefruit slices, lime slices, and salt on the rim of the glass.
Mai Tai
Of course Hawaii has an interest in a tiki drink. The Mai Tai is a cocktail you can customize to your liking when you make it at home. But the classic recipe calls for aged rum, orange liqueur, orgeat, lime juice, and simple syrup. Garnishes include a lime wheel and a mint sprig. It’s always been meant to be balanced and fresh.
Drinking Rates in the U.S.
It’s no secret Americans love their cocktails. According to Gallup News, 63% of adult Americans have confirmed they drank across two years between 2021 and 2022 and only 36% confirmed they abstain from alcohol completely. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 84.1% of Americans confirmed “they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime.” Some people only enjoy cocktails occasionally, others imbibe weekly, and others increase their drinking to several times per week. At those higher rates, health risks rise.
Cocktails vs. Beer or Wine
Preferences among Americans vary when it comes to deciding between cocktails, beer, and wine. Those watching their calorie intake may opt for a light beer, some wine, or a skinny cocktail. A cocktail contains hard liquor, which some prefer to avoid altogether. Beer is generally welcome at most events, whether you enjoy a light variety or an ultra-hoppy craft beer. Wine enthusiasts enter an entirely new world with their preferences and find themselves further refining their tastes. (These are your best bets for low-cal alcoholic drinks .)
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