The Most Popular Alcoholic Drink in Every State

Alcohol preferences in the United States are far from uniform. Each region has its own drink, a drink that often says as much about local culture and history as it does about personal preference. In many ways, favorite liquors reveal the identities of the communities that embrace them, and we all know just how unique the communities found in every U.S. state can be.

Alongside those spirits, every state has its own way of mixing things up. Some cocktails are deeply tied to local agriculture, while even more lean on cultural heritage paired with a regional twist. Together, they offer a fascinating snapshot of how Americans raise a glass. What is the most popular alcoholic drink in your state? We've decided to find out.

To populate this list, 247 Tempo looked at published surveys that assessed two different metrics. First, we looked at which alcohols were the most popular in each state. Then, we looked at the most iconic mixed drinks for each state. We used data from alcohol-focused publications to determine which drinks belonged on this list. Let's check these drinks out now.

This post was updated on September 4th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

The most popular alcohol type in Alabama is whiskey. For mixed drinks, Alabama goes big or goes home with a drink they call the Yellow Hammer, which combines rum, vodka, amaretto, pineapple juice, and orange juice.

In the state of Alaska, the locals tend to prefer scotch when drinking plain alcohol. Their most iconic mixed drink is known to the locals as Duck Farts and is a layered shot of coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and Canadian whiskey.

The most popular liquor in Arizona is tequila, according to surveys. When drinking mixed drinks, many Arizona residents fall back on the iconic Prickly Pear Margarita, a unique Arizona take on the classic Margarita.

According to surveys, the people of Arkansas are partial to whiskey. Their signature mixed drinks is as unique as the name of their state, the Arkansas Razorback, which mixes coffee liqueur, vodka, amaretto, and spiced rum, best served over ice.

The most popular liquor in California is tequila, which makes sense given the proximity of the state to Mexico. Alcohol is a big part of California culture with Napa Valley having almost 500 wineries in that region alone. Napa is the drink of choice for those not drinking hard liquor on the rocks.

The locals of Colorado tend to fall back on whiskey when drinking alcohol on the rocks or taking shots. The biggest non-liquor drink in Colorado is craft beer by far. Five cities in Colorado land in the top 20 ranking for the most breweries in one location.

In Connecticut, vodka reigns supreme as their most popular choice of liquors. It might come as a surprise, but Connecticut is actually a wine state. Despite the small size of the state, it has over 40 wineries and its own "Wine Trail" for visitors to peruse and see the history of Connecticut through wine.

Like Connecticut, the people of Delaware love their vodka and it is their most popular spirit. The most popular drink that isn't a spirit you can buy in a bottle at the liquor store is IPAs in Delaware. The favorite day of many people from Delaware is National IPA Day, on the first Thursday in August.

Perhaps surprising no one, Florida man runs on vodka during his substance fueled antics. Outside of getting liquored up and making a nuisance of themselves, Floridians love to sip on a nice mojito with muddled mint, lime, and sugar.

In the state of Georgia, people prefer cognac as their favorite spirit. For mixed drinks, the Georgia Peach is a drink unique to Georgia. Named for the peaches that made Georgia famous, the Georgia Peach drink is made of peach schnapps, Southern Comfort, and orange juice.

Hawai'ians tend to buy rum when they're out shopping for liquor, according to sale statistics. The signature drink of Hawai'i is the Mai Tai, which combines orange curacao, light rum, dark rum, and various juices.

Vodka is often made of potatoes and the people of Idaho love to turn their potatoes into vodka, according to surveys. When not drinking vodka, people from Idaho usually drink beer. The state has 4.5 breweries per capita, making it one of the biggest producers of beer in the country.

The state of Illinois tends to prefer whiskey when browsing the liquor store's selection. If you're more interested in a mixed drink with an Illinois flair, try their unique drink that mixes Bloody Mary mix with vodka infused with rosemary and olives.

Whiskey is the drink of choice in Indiana. If you're ever in Indiana, it's imperative that you try out the Hoosier Heritage, a funky mixed drink that combines rye whiskey, apple cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup.

Out in Iowa, people tend to stock their liquor cabinets with whiskey. The Iowa Buck is their signature drink and it combines whiskey with ginger beer and dash of lime. It's a simple yet delicious drink that promises you a classy night of fun and antics.

The people of Kansas prefer to drink scotch when drinking alcoholic drinks. In Kansas, they have a thing called the Moose Bowl, where you fill a large bowl with a concoction of beer, vodka, orange liqueur, and strawberry liqueur. For the most authentic experience, pour it into a fishbowl and share it with 20 of your best friends for a night of bad decisions and certain disaster.

Bourbon is the preferred drink for the people of Kentucky. Considering Kentucky is the home or bourbon, it makes sense for them to prefer it. When it comes to mixed drinks, you can't go wrong with a Kentucky mint julep, which uses locally produced bourbon, crushed ice, and muddled mint leaves.

Louisiana's residents tend to prefer cognac as their liquor of choice. The state is the home to many famous mixed drinks. However, none are so famous in Louisiana as the Sazarac, which combines rye whiskey or cognac with bitters and a sugar cube. For the best experience, rinse the inside of the glass with a shot of absinthe before pouring the main drink.

Maine residents are vodka drinkers through and through. When not drinking vodka, people in Maine usually drink coffee brandy, a uniquely "Maine" drink. They drink it in coffee-flavored cocktails and straight or drop a shot in a mug of coffee to give it a kick.

The people of Maryland usually drinking cognac when getting tipsy, according to surveys. When looking at a mixed drink in Maryland, definitely try a Black-Eyed Susan, which combines bourbon, vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and sours.

When it's time to party for the Pats, the people of Massachusetts break out the good vodka. When it comes to mixed drinks, folks from Massachusetts keep it simple with the Cape Codder, which is a blend of vodka and cranberry juice.

Those from Michigan typically drink whiskey when drinking liquor by itself. When not drinking whiskey, people from Michigan often indulge in mead, one of the oldest fermented drinks in the world. The climate in Michigan is perfect for distilling mead from naturally derived ingredients. So, it's no wonder this drink is so popular there!

When drinking in Minnesota, do as the Romans do and kick back with some vodka. When it comes to mixed drinks, it doesn't get simpler than what Minnesota brings to the table: The Bootleg… whiskey with a splash of plain water.

The people of Mississippi are often seen with cognac in their cup. Mississippi Punch is their mixed drink of choice and it's often served in a bowl. This drink combines cognac, rum, bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Like many Southern states, the state of Missouri prefers whiskey to other spirits. The state might be landlocked, but that doesn't mean they don't get their fun in the sun. The Caribou Lou combines coconut rum and pineapple with a shot of 151-proof rum for a strong bite.

The people of Montana buy more whiskey than other types of spirits. In Montana, they have a signature drink called a Whiskey Ditch, which, despite the name, may not actually contain whiskey. Drinkers will take their choice of vodka, whiskey, or gin, then, they'll mix it with limeade and mint and top it off with a bit of club soda.

Like many states in America, the state of Nebraska prefers whiskey as its favored alcoholic beverage. When not drinking whiskey, the people of Nebraska love their beer, including Red Beer, which is beer mixed with tomato juice.

Nevada is unique on this list as being the only state where the most popular type of liquor is absinthe. There are no other states where this liquor is the most popular on the list. Nevada is also home to the Nevada Cocktail, which is white rum, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and a small amount of lime juice.

For once, New Hampshire is on the same page as pretty much the rest of New England, a rarity for sure. The most popular liquor in New Hampshire is vodka, just like almost all of the other New England states. With so many wineries packed into such a small area, it makes sense that New Hampshire residents aren't afraid to identify wine as their favorite drink. The cool, temperate climate is perfect for fermenting all different kinds of wines.

It should come as no surprise that the New Jersey folks love their vodka. It's the most popular liquor in the state. Their state drink is the Applejack, aptly named as it's a combination of whiskey and apple juice that can be served hot or cold. The Applejack isn't just delicious and crisp, it's also one of the most popular mixed drinks in America.

Like most of the states that share a border with Mexico, New Mexico's most popular liquor is tequila. If you've never had a tequila cocktail, New Mexico is the perfect place to try the Chimayo, which is a blend of tequila, apple cider, and crème de cassis. Add a fresh squeeze of lemon for the best experience.

Vodka is the drink of choice in New York, putting it in line with most of the Northeastern United States. New Yorkers don't hesitate to come to consensus on the fact that the Long Island Iced Tea is their favorite drink. It's a heavy cocktail combining vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec with a splash of Coke and sour mix. It might sound pretty terrible with all those heavy liquors, but you'd never know it was alcoholic if it's made right!

In North Carolina, people tend to drink vodka, which separates this state from the rest of the South which tends to prefer whiskey. North Carolina's state drink is the Cherry Bounce. The drink combines fresh sour cherries, brandy, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg. This drink will warm you right up and help loosen your nerves for the night ahead.

The people of North Dakota love their vodka. It's the most popular liquor in the state. North Dakota is also home to many breweries and microbreweries, leading to an explosion of popularity in beer in the area. So, it probably goes without saying that when in North Dakota, you'll be faced with a lot of beer. It's the most popular non-spirit drink in the state!

The folks in Ohio also love their vodka, helping cement it as the second most popular liquor in the entire United States (when looking at sales per state). The state of Ohio has a unique take on the traditional martini. They replace the usual olive with a black one since it represents the buckeye nut.

The most popular liquor in Oklahoma is whiskey. However, they have a great state drink, the Lunchbox cocktail, which combines light beer with amaretto and orange juice. We don't recommend trying to actually get this in a lunchbox though. Your coworkers might not take kindly to what happens after you've had a Lunchbox or two.

Whiskey is the drink to have if you're in Oregon. You won't find yourself stranded if this is what you drink. People in Oregon also love their beer, which should come as no surprise since Portland, Oregon has the most breweries in a single city in all of America. Craft beers and IPAs are the most common drinks outside of whiskey in Oregon.

Vodka is the favorite drink in Pennsylvania. One of the best kept Pennsylvania secrets is their most popular mixed drink, the Boilo, which isn't as widely known as some of the other popular drinks on this list. The Boilo combines whiskey, honey, and citrus fruits with warming spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, creating a lovely, warm cocktail for getting cozy with a good book.

While those in Rhode Island might have an air of poshness, they know how to get down with the dogs when they're drinking vodka. Tequila cocktails are mostly associated with the Southwestern United States, particularly areas that border Mexico. However, the Rhode Island Red is a popular tequila cocktail found in Rhode Island that mixes white tequila, Chambord, lemon juice, orange bitters, and agave nectar with a splash of ginger beer to finish it off.

South Carolinians prefer whiskey over other liquors. When it comes to mixed drinks, you can't go wrong with a South Carolinian Sweet Tea and vodka. HangoverCure.org's survey of over 1,000 drinkers voted Sweet Tea and Vodka as their favorite state drink.

People in South Dakota will typically drink whiskey when it comes time to relax or party. South Dakota residents also enjoy Red Beer, which appeared higher up on the list. In South Dakota, the beer is given its red color with tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix.

Whiskey is the drink of choice in Tennessee. The people of Tennessee love their whiskey so much that their favorite cocktail is a simple Whiskey and Coke, sometimes with a small squeeze of lime as a garnish.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Texas is that whiskey is not the preferred drink of Texans. Instead, Texans tend to prefer tequila, like most other states that border Mexico. When it comes to cocktails, Texans show preference for margaritas, another holdover from their proximity to Mexico and its influence on the local culture.

Utah is another unique state on this list, being the only state in its category. The people of Utah normally drink Vermouth, making them the only state to do so. Utah's unique liquor-related laws led to the popularity of non-alcoholic alternative drinks in the state. However, spiked root beer is becoming popular in the area.

Vermont breaks away from the vodka crowd that live up in the Northeastern United States by preferring scotch over vodka. If you've ever wondered what maple syrup tastes like in a cocktail, the Old Vermont Cocktail should be on your list. It's a blend of gin, lemon juice, orange juice, maple syrup, and a small amount of bitters to round out the flavor profile.

Virginians also prefer scotch. During the Prohibition era, the people of Virginia rebelled in secret, producing illicit liquors in their homes and secret basements. Thus, Moonshine was born. This once-secret drink is now produced commercially and at home for consumption in Virginia and other states.

The people of Washington State are most likely to be seen kicking back with a glass of whiskey on a day off. Washington State's signature drink, the Washington Apple, came in second in the nation in HangoverCure.org's rankings of state drinks. It's a mixture of whiskey, cranberry juice, and sour apple schnapps, served in a martini glass.

Washington, D.C. might not be a state but a lot of very important Americans live there and it should come as no surprise that it's every bit as unique as some of the other places on this list. Washington, D.C. is the only place in the United States where the preferred drink is gin.

The people of West Virginia tend to prefer whiskey over other types of liquor. Like those in the neighboring state of Virginia, West Virginians enjoy a glass of moonshine to wash away the day's troubles.

In the state of Wisconsin, the preferred drink is actually brandy, making it the only state in the Union that prefers brandy to other liquors. Following the Wisconsinites' love of brandy, their signature cocktail is the Brandy Old-Fashioned, a drink with brandy muddled with orange peel, sugar, and cherry.

Those who live in Wyoming tend to prefer whiskey as their drink of choice. Since so much American-made whiskey is made in Wyoming, the people of the state tend to drink locally distilled whiskey in various forms, including cocktails and neat.