Americans love the Italian taste, at least when it comes to cocktails. Among the most appreciated mixology drinks, leading the rankings is one of the aperitivo greats: the Aperol Spritz. Margarita and Old Fashioned hold the second and third spots respectively in the most consumed cocktails across the United States.
Aperol Spritz takes the U.S. by storm
The Drinks Business reported on an analysis of data provided by the coffee company Coffeeness, which offered a comprehensive overview of the most ordered and consumed cocktails by state. One might have expected to see the Martini Dry or a Cosmopolitan leading the final rankings—both are prominent in films and TV series, with the Martini Dry being James Bond’s signature drink and the Cosmopolitan being iconic in Sex and the City.
However, in 22 out of 50 American states, the Italian aperitivo reigns supreme as the preferred cocktail, particularly in Oregon, Washington, and California. Following closely are the citrusy and fresh flavours of the Margarita, chosen by 17 states including Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, and Tennessee in the south, and Maine and New Hampshire in the north. In Maryland, the residents were equally split, with Aperol Spritz and Margarita tied for the top spot. The Old Fashioned, made with whisky, took the bronze, with Kentucky—the state famous for Bourbon—predictably favouring it. Surprisingly, another “tricolore” cocktail made an appearance: the Bellini (sparkling wine and peach puree) was the top choice in Alabama.
Changing tastes
Beneath the surface of the rankings lies a shift in American mixology preferences. “Google search data indicates that Americans tend to prefer cocktails with fresh, spicy, and sweet flavours, rather than creamier and more structured cocktails like White Russians or Espresso Martinis,” said Coffeeness. “Additionally, the revelation that Aperol Spritz is the clear favourite suggests that while Americans once weren't particularly fond of drinks containing bitters, tastes have changed in recent years.”
Tenuta San Guido tops profitability rankings: here are Italy's best-performing wineries
The Roma DOC wine Consortium chooses a woman as President for the first time
The Financial Times confirms the wine crisis: "Big groups leaving the sector? A wise choice, consumption is declining"
"Wine tourism accounts for more than one-fifth of our revenue." The story of the winery that wants to renew Maremma
Maligned Capelli d'Angelo: The New York Times pays tribute to the ancient pasta created for new mothers
