
Alcohol consumption in the United States varies across different categories, including beer, wine, and spirits. While beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in all 50 states, vodka is the most consumed spirit in most states. However, tequila is preferred in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Whiskey is also a popular choice, especially in the West, South, and Midwest regions. In terms of specific brands, Smirnoff is the preferred vodka, Barefoot leads the wine category, and Bud Light is the top-selling beer.
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What You'll Learn

Vodka is the most popular spirit in the USA
Smirnoff vodka is the most popular brand among vodka drinkers in the USA, with Americans consuming over 2.5 million cases in 2019 alone. Vodka is also the most popular spirit in most states, according to a study by Toast POS. However, tequila is more popular than vodka in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Whiskey is the most popular spirit in West Virginia, Wyoming, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky.
While Americans prefer beer to spirits, with 46% of alcohol consumption being beer, spirits are a close second at 37%. Between 2000 and 2018, consumption of spirits grew by 28%. Vodka is a versatile spirit that can be mixed with a variety of beverages, making it a popular choice for cocktails and mixed drinks. It is also a key ingredient in many popular shots, such as vodka sodas and vodka Red Bulls.
The popularity of vodka in the USA can be attributed to its accessibility, affordability, and mixability. It is a neutral spirit that can be distilled from various grains or potatoes, making it suitable for a wide range of consumers, including those who are gluten-intolerant or have specific dietary restrictions. Vodka is also often favoured by those who prefer their drinks to be "mixers" rather than the main event, as its relatively neutral flavour can be easily masked by other ingredients.
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Beer is the most consumed alcoholic drink overall
Beer is the most consumed alcoholic drink in the USA overall. A study of the most popular alcoholic drinks in all 50 states found that beer was the most popular, with Minnesota, Kansas, and Pennsylvania drinking the most beer per restaurant location.
While vodka is the most popular spirit in most states, beer is the most popular alcoholic drink across the nation. In fact, 46% of alcohol consumption in the USA is beer, compared to 37% for spirits and 17% for wine. This trend is also reflected in the global alcohol market, where the beer industry leader, Anheuser-Busch InBev, reported $54 billion in revenue, compared to $27 billion for the second-placed Heineken Holding.
The preference for beer also extends to specific brands, with Bud Light being the most popular beer brand in the USA. While vodka is the most popular spirit overall and the most googled liquor type in many states, beer is the most consumed alcoholic drink in terms of volume.
However, it is worth noting that consumption patterns may vary across different states and regions. For example, vodka is the most popular spirit in the Northeast, while whiskey is favoured in the West, South, and Midwest. Additionally, hard seltzer, a bubbly beverage, has gained traction in states like Ohio, Massachusetts, and Illinois, experiencing a surge in popularity during the summer months.
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Whiskey is the most popular liquor in 33 states
While beer is the most popular alcoholic drink across all 50 states, whiskey is the most popular liquor in 33 states. Vodka is a close second, dominating in the Northeast. Tequila is the top choice in nine states, especially in the West.
When it comes to specific brands, however, the popularity of liquor types varies. For example, coconut rum Malibu is the most popular brand in most states, while Smirnoff is the preferred vodka brand across the country.
Zooming in on individual states, Minnesota stands out for its love of beer, consuming about 53% more per restaurant location than the national average. Kansas and Pennsylvania are close behind, ranking second and third for beer consumption.
In Q2 2023, Kansas diners showed a particular fondness for whiskey, consuming more per restaurant location than any other state. Ohio and Kentucky followed closely, ranking second and third, respectively.
While whiskey and vodka are the top choices in many states, other liquors have their moments in the spotlight. Absinthe, for instance, is most popular in Nevada, and vermouth is favoured in Utah. In Wisconsin, brandy takes the top spot, and rum reigns in Hawaii and Louisiana.
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Americans drink 77 million 9-litre cases of vodka annually
While beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in all 50 states, vodka is the most popular spirit in most states. Americans drink 77 million 9-litre cases of vodka annually, with Smirnoff being the most popular brand, with over 2.5 million cases consumed in 2019. Vodka is the most popular liquor in 15 states, dominating in the Northeast. Whiskey or vodka is the most popular liquor in 33 states, with whiskey being more popular in the West, South, and Midwest, and vodka in the Northeast.
Tequila is more popular than vodka in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Whiskey is the most popular spirit in West Virginia, Wyoming, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. In terms of brands, Malibu, a coconut rum, is the most popular liquor brand in most states.
While vodka is the most popular spirit, beer is the most consumed type of alcohol in the US, making up 46% of alcohol consumption, followed by spirits at 37%, and wine at 17%. Between 2000 and 2018, consumption of spirits grew by 28%, while wine consumption rose by 6%. Beer consumption, on the other hand, fell by 18% during the same period.
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Tequila is the most popular spirit in nine states
While beer is the most popular alcoholic drink across all 50 states, vodka is the most popular spirit in most states. However, tequila is the most popular spirit in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. That's nine states in total where tequila is king.
Vodka is favoured in 15 states, particularly in the Northeast, while whiskey is a close second and is the most popular liquor in 33 states, including Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.
In terms of specific brands, Malibu, a coconut rum, is the most popular liquor brand in most states, followed by Appleton Estate, another rum brand. Smirnoff is the most popular vodka brand, while Americans tend to reach for Bud Light when it comes to beer.
Other notable mentions include gin, which is most popular in New York, rum in Hawaii and Louisiana, and brandy in Wisconsin. Hard seltzer is also gaining traction, with Ohio selling 160% more hard seltzers per restaurant location than other states.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular alcoholic drink in the USA is beer, with 46% of alcohol consumption being beer.
Spirits are the second most popular, with 37% of consumption. Vodka is the most popular spirit in most states.
Wine is the third most popular, with 17% of consumption. Merlot is the most popular type of wine, making up 23% of all wine consumed in the USA.
Vodka is the most popular spirit in the USA. 77 million 9-litre bottles of vodka are consumed every year. Smirnoff is the most popular brand.
Whiskey is the most popular liquor in the USA, being the most popular in 33 states.











































