Special Report

The Most Popular Cocktail in Every State

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Cocktails have been around for a long time. The first written mentions of “cocktail” as a beverage appeared in the early 1800s, and legendary bartender Jerry Thomas published his seminal “How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant’s Companion” in 1862. 

In our own time, people have reportedly been drinking more since the pandemic began, and who could blame them? Of course, excessive drinking is harmful to health and well-being, but for most people an occasional drink is something to savor. (To help with your New Year’s resolution, here are 28 low-calorie alcoholic drinks.) 

To identify the most popular cocktail in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the results of data collected by Upgraded Points, a travel site advising users how to maximize their points and miles. The site tracked Google searches for cocktail names by state between March 2020 and March 2021. (Note that the results reflect interest in various cocktails, not necessarily their total consumption.) Main ingredients for each drink are drawn from Liquor.com, The Drink Blog, The Straight Up, and Mix That Drink, and do not include garnishes or other peripheral ingredients. In addition, individual bartenders often customize the traditional recipes.  

The most popular cocktail overall turned out to be the brunch classic the Mimosa, which consists of nothing more than Champagne or another sparkling wine and orange juice. It’s the favorite tipple in six states – Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Next come the rum-based Mojito and Piña Colada, the most popular cocktails in three states apiece. (Where do people drink the most of whatever it is? These are the drunkest states in America.)

Perhaps surprisingly, Sex on the Beach is the most popular cocktail in North Dakota, a state not known for its beaches. Less surprisingly, Hawaii’s favorite is the Mai Tai, a tiki bar classic. The most popular cocktail in Delaware, meanwhile, is the Manhattan, and in Wyoming it’s the Long Island Iced Tea. Go figure. In Massachusetts it’s the Painkiller, which is either a good or a bad thing. Or both.  

Click here to see the most popular cocktail in every state

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Alabama
> Cocktail: Bellini
> Main ingredients: Prosecco, peach purée

[in-text-ad]

Ekaterina_Molchanova / iStock via Getty Images

Alaska
> Cocktail: White Russian
> Main ingredients: Vodka, Kahlúa, cream

Fudio / iStock via Getty Images

Arizona
> Cocktail: Jack and Coke
> Main ingredients: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whisky, Coca-Cola

Arkansas
> Cocktail: Mojito
> Main ingredients: White rum, lime juice, sugar, muddled mint

[in-text-ad-2]

California
> Cocktail: Paloma
> Main ingredients: Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, club soda

Natalia Van Doninck / iStock via Getty Images

Colorado
> Cocktail: Mimosa
> Main ingredients: Champagne or other sparkling wine, orange juice

[in-text-ad]

RHJ / iStock via Getty Images

Connecticut
> Cocktail: Coquito
> Main ingredients: Spiced rum, condensed milk, coconut milk, coconut cream

arinahabich / iStock via Getty Images

Delaware
> Cocktail: Manhattan
> Main ingredients: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters

etorres69 / iStock via Getty Images

Florida
> Cocktail: Piña Colada
> Main ingredients: White and dark rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream

[in-text-ad-2]

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Georgia
> Cocktail: Mimosa
> Main ingredients: Champagne or other sparkling wine, orange juice

Hawaii
> Cocktail: Mai Tai
> Main ingredients: White and dark rum, orange Curaçao, orgeat syrup, lime juice

[in-text-ad]

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Idaho
> Cocktail: Hot Buttered Rum
> Main ingredients: Dark rum, honey, butter, brown sugar, baking spices

Moussa81 / iStock via Getty Images

Illinois
> Cocktail: Mimosa
> Main ingredients: Champagne or other sparkling wine, orange juice

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Indiana
> Cocktail: Tequila Sunrise
> Main ingredients: Tequila, orange juice, grenadine

[in-text-ad-2]

Mizina / iStock via Getty Images

Iowa
> Cocktail: Fuzzy Navel
> Main ingredients: Peach schnapps, orange juice

olesiabilkei / iStock via Getty Images

Kansas
> Cocktail: Wine Cooler
> Main ingredients: Wine (red, white, or rosé), fruit juice, club soda

[in-text-ad]

SimonSkafar / iStock via Getty Images

Kentucky
> Cocktail: Wine Cooler
> Main ingredients: Wine (red, white, or rosé), fruit juice, club soda

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Louisiana
> Cocktail: Daiquiri
> Main ingredients: White rum, lime juice, simple syrup

Maine
> Cocktail: Rusty Nail
> Main ingredients: Scotch, Drambuie

[in-text-ad-2]

Kristen Prahl / iStock via Getty Images

Maryland
> Cocktail: Mimosa
> Main ingredients: Champagne or other sparkling wine, orange juice

ansonmiao / Getty Images

Massachusetts
> Cocktail: Painkiller
> Main ingredients: Dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream

[in-text-ad]

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Michigan
> Cocktail: 7&7
> Main ingredients: Seagram’s Seven Crown whiskey, 7-Up

Ekaterina_Molchanova / iStock via Getty Images

Minnesota
> Cocktail: White Russian
> Main ingredients: Vodka, Kahlúa, cream

rez-art / iStock via Getty Images

Mississippi
> Cocktail: Old Fashioned
> Main ingredients: Bourbon, bitters, sugar

[in-text-ad-2]

petrenkod / iStock via Getty Images

Missouri
> Cocktail: Margarita
> Main ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, lime juice

MarianVejcik / iStock via Getty Images

Montana
> Cocktail: Dark n’ Stormy
> Main ingredients: Dark rum (preferably Goslings), ginger beer, lime juice

[in-text-ad]

Fudio / iStock via Getty Images

Nebraska
> Cocktail: Moscow Mule
> Main ingredients: Vodka, ginger beer, lime juice

Nevada
> Cocktail: Shirley Temple
> Main ingredients: Ginger ale, grenadine, maraschino cherry (rum or vodka optional)

New Hampshire
> Cocktail: Margarita
> Main ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, lime juice

[in-text-ad-2]

Moncherie / iStock via Getty Images

New Jersey
> Cocktail: Piña Colada
> Main ingredients: White and dark rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream

Roxiller / iStock via Getty Images

New Mexico
> Cocktail: Piña Colada
> Main ingredients: White and dark rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream

[in-text-ad]

brazzo / iStock via Getty Images

New York
> Cocktail: Vodka Fizz
> Main ingredients: Vodka, club soda, lime juice, simple syrup

Austin Melonie Carroll / iStock via Getty Images

North Carolina
> Cocktail: Mimosa
> Main ingredients: Champagne or other sparkling wine, orange juice

grafvision / iStock via Getty Images

North Dakota
> Cocktail: Sex on the Beach
> Main ingredients: Vodka, peach schnapps, crème de cassis, orange juice, cranberry juice

[in-text-ad-2]

MarianVejcik / iStock via Getty Images

Ohio
> Cocktail: Shandy
> Main ingredients: Beer, lemonade

IriGri8 / iStock via Getty Images

Oklahoma
> Cocktail: Bellini
> Main ingredients: Prosecco, peach purée

[in-text-ad]

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Oregon
> Cocktail: Lemon Drop Martini
> Main ingredients: Vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup

BreakingTheWalls / iStock via Getty Images

Pennsylvania
> Cocktail: Wine Cooler
> Main ingredients: Wine (red, white, or rosé), fruit juice, club soda

MarianVejcik / iStock via Getty Images

Rhode Island
> Cocktail: Dark n’ Stormy
> Main ingredients: Dark rum (preferably Goslings), ginger beer, lime juice

[in-text-ad-2]

Irrin0215 / iStock via Getty Images

South Carolina
> Cocktail: Gin Fizz
> Main ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, egg white, simple syrup, club soda

Kshavratskaya / iStock via Getty Images

South Dakota
> Cocktail: Screwdriver
> Main ingredients: Vodka, orange juice

[in-text-ad]

vladans / iStock via Getty Images

Tennessee
> Cocktail: Mimosa
> Main ingredients: Champagne or other sparkling wine, orange juice

Roxiller / iStock via Getty Images

Texas
> Cocktail: Margarita
> Main ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, lime juice

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Utah
> Cocktail: Lime Rickey
> Main ingredients: Gin, lime juice, club soda

[in-text-ad-2]

VectaPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

Vermont
> Cocktail: Cosmopolitan
> Main ingredients: Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice

Oleksandra Iablochnikova / iStock via Getty Images

Virginia
> Cocktail: Mojito
> Main ingredients: White rum, lime juice, sugar, muddled mint

[in-text-ad]

a_namenko / iStock via Getty Images

Washington
> Cocktail: Mojito
> Main ingredients: White rum, lime juice, sugar, muddled mint

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

West Virginia
> Cocktail: White Russian
> Main ingredients: Vodka, Kahlúa, cream

viennetta / iStock via Getty Images

Wisconsin
> Cocktail: Old Fashioned
> Main ingredients: Bourbon, bitters, sugar

[in-text-ad-2]

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

Wyoming
> Cocktail: Long Island Iced Tea
> Main ingredients: Gin, vodka, tequila, white rum, triple sec, simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today.  Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.