The most popular cocktail in every US state

According to Google search data the Aperol Spritz is the United States’ favourite cocktail, but it’s a tight race. Find out which states have a penchant for which cocktails here.

Google search data mined by coffee company Coffeeness provides a telling insight into the cocktails consumed by US consumers most frequently in each state. And while Coffeeness may have been hoping that the Espresso Martini would top the charts, it was something rather more orange that bagged the top spot.

The Aperol Spritz is the preferred cocktail in the United States overall, with 22 American states choosing the Italian aperitif as their favourite cocktail. Among its cheerleaders are big-hitters Oregon, Washington and California.

However, the classic Margarita comes a close second for cocktail choice, with consumers in 17 US states, including Georgia, Indiana, Kansas and Tennessee in the south, and Maine and New Hampshire in the north, picking it as their favourite.

In Maryland, the two aforementioned cocktails tied for first place with residents unable to choose between them, meaning the Aperol Spritz and Margarita are neck and neck in this state.

In third place is the Old Fashioned with nine US states showing a preference for the whisky-based tipple. Unsurprisingly, Bourbon-capital Kentucky favoured this one, as did Iowa and South Dakota.

Only one US state went for the Bellini (a classic mix of sparkling wine and peach purée), with Alabama stepping forward to claim the fizzy cocktail as its first choice. This may have something to do with the fact that Alabama harvests more than 80 different varieties of peach each year.

The Mai Tai, Mojito, Daiquiri and Side Car all only won over one state each; Hawaii, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, respectively.

Sweet/spicy preferred over creamy

What drink do the 733,583 residents of Alaska mix up when they’re in need of something strong? The northernmost US state tied for both the Old Fashioned and the Moscow Mule (made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice).

“The results of the Google search data indicate that Americans tend to prefer cocktails with a zesty, sweet and/or spicy taste over cocktails with a creamy taste, like White Russians or Espresso Martinis,” said Coffeeness, which carried out the research.

“In addition, the revelation that Aperol Spritz is the undoubted overall favourite suggests that, while America was once not too fond of drinks containing bitters, tastes over recent years have been steadily evolving.”

Spirits giant Diageo has used AI to identify five flavours that will shape how consumers all over the world will socialise this summer. Its findings also show that spicy flavours are on the rise with conversations about jalapeno up 32% in the UK and pepperoncini up 53% in Australia, while talk of chilli is seeing a 36% in the US.