The Most Popular Festive Drink in Every US State in 2025
(Graphic: Coffeeness)
From the comforting warmth of hot chocolate to the buzzy allure of the espresso martini, Americans are once again turning to both classic and contemporary beverages to celebrate the holiday season. A recent analysis of Google Trends search data over the past 12 months from Coffeeness reveals the most popular festive drinks in each state, offering a fascinating look at regional preferences and evolving tastes.
Hot Chocolate: The Timeless Classic
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Unsurprisingly, hot chocolate emerged as the nation’s favorite holiday beverage, topping search interest in 13 states. Particularly popular in colder regions, this childhood favorite remains the ultimate symbol of winter coziness. Whether topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, or a candy cane stirrer, hot chocolate proves that comfort never goes out of style.
Apple Cider and Espresso Martini: A Tie
(Photo: Pernod Ricard)
Tied for second place, both apple cider and the espresso martini claimed the top spot in 11 states each, demonstrating a balance between traditional and modern festive flavors.
Apple Cider: Particularly popular in apple-producing states such as Virginia, Idaho, North Carolina and Oregon, apple cider highlights how agricultural heritage shapes regional preferences. Often served warm with spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise, this drink remains a timeless, non-alcoholic holiday favorite.
For a particularly fun riff on a boozy cider, check out the chai-infused Hot Apple Chai-der recipe.
French 75 and Amaretto Sour: The Dark Horses
The champagne-based French 75 claimed top spots in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Washington and Georgia, bringing a touch of sophistication to festive gatherings. Meanwhile, the Amaretto Sour, a sweet-tart cocktail with amaretto liqueur and fresh lemon juice, was most popular in Illinois, Missouri, New York and Ohio, offering approachable flavor complexity without being overwhelming.
Regional Surprises: Diverse Tastes Across the States
Beyond the top five, Americans’ festive drink preferences reveal intriguing regional differences:
- California and Florida favored the brown sugar shaken espresso, reflecting strong local coffee cultures.
- Arizona and Hawaii leaned into mimosas, perfect for warmer holiday climates and brunch celebrations — fitting for places where cold weather is far from the norm.
- Minnesota chose the practical hot toddy for winter warmth.
Methodology
This analysis used Google Trends data over a 12-month period, capturing the previous Christmas season’s peak search activity. Relative search values (0–100) were compared to identify which festive drink generated the highest interest in each state. The study included a mix of traditional hot beverages, classic cocktails and contemporary favorites popular during the holiday season.
Most Popular Festive Drinks: The Full List
Numbers indicate how many states the drink was the top search in.
Hot Chocolate: 13
Apple Cider: 11
Espresso Martini: 11
French 75: 4
Amaretto Sour: 4
Mimosa: 2
Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso: 2
Hot Toddy: 1
Bellini: 1
Winter Aperol Spritz: 1
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