Discover the Cocktails Americans Favor the Most

If you live in New York, your cocktail preference might be considerably different than someone living in Ohio. The same might ring true for a person from California who wishes to imbibe in Louisiana and is searching for that one standby drink they're accustomed to. Where we live may not determine what our favorite drinks are, but certain drinks are more popular than others in certain regions. These are the cocktails Americans favor the most.

You might be surprised to find out that your preference doesn't align with the general population of the state where you reside. Some areas have a penchant for basic beverages, those drinks that aren't fussy and have no additional ingredients besides what they're made with. Others prefer specialty cocktails, those adult libations that have a long ingredient list and accompanying garnishes to enhance them, making them even more appealing.

To compile a list of the cocktails Americans favor most, 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. (Here are some tips on what not to order at a bar.)

• 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.

• States: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

There are multiple margarita varieties: the skinny, the strawberry, the frozen, and even the Cadillac. 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 drink.

• States: Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming

The Moscow mule is designed to be refreshing which is why it is served in a copper cup – so it stays cold while allowing you to enjoy the blend of flavors. 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.

• States: Arkansas and Kentucky

Yet another refreshing cocktail, the mojito invites you to experience flavors native to Cuba 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.)

• States: Alabama

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.

• States: Delaware

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.

• States: Louisiana

In Louisiana, locals gravitate to the daiquiri, 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.

• States: New Mexico

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.

• States: Hawaii

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.

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.

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-calorie alcoholic drinks.)