New Poll Reveals the 7 Most American Drinks, According to Americans

(Photo: Rafael Henrique / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)

For nearly 250 years, Americans have debated which foods, music, animals and traditions best encapsulate the Land of the Free. But what of drinks? A national survey from Morning Consult and the Beer Institute set out to answer the question once and for all.

Of the 2,201 adults polled in the survey, 55% selected beer as the drink that “feels the most American.” Runner-ups included soda at 47%, iced tea at 43%, lemonade at 33%, liquor at 17% and wine at 14%. Nearly two-thirds (64%) considered beer a part of American tradition, while 63% agreed that beer “is as American as apple pie.”

As always, there are a million ways to dissect the finer details and wording of the poll. Had liquor been separated into subcategories, we’d be willing to guess that whiskey — particularly bourbon — would’ve netted far more votes. Alas, beer feels as classic a choice as any, though it would’ve been interesting to see which brands consumers considered the most red, white and blue.

“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, Americans recognize that beer is a part of our cultural fabric. This survey shows that Americans continue to see beer as an enduring part of our shared heritage,” Brian Crawford, president and CEO of the Beer Institute, remarked in a news release.

The poll included a handful of other statistics revolving around the Semiquincentennial. According to the survey, an overwhelming 95% of Americans hosting or attending a July 4 celebration plan to include beer in some capacity at their event. 69% say that beer plays an “important role” in celebrations, while 62% describe it as a “must-have” on par with BBQ, music and fireworks.

Ending on a forward-facing note, the poll concluded that 78% of respondents believe beer will remain a central part of American culture and celebrations over the next 250 years.

Since the days of the Founding Fathers, most would agree that beer has played a key role in shaping American culture. Whether or not that will continue to be the case, however, is yet to be seen, and it’s fair to say that the Beer Institute’s latest poll grapples head-on with that uncertainty, whether intentionally or not.

Overall US beer production and imports fell by 5.7% in 2025, according to data from the Brewers Association. Retail dollar sales have been on a gradual decline, and the US recorded more brewpub, taproom and microbrewery closures than openings over the past two years. Like much else in the alcohol industry, beer has fallen victim to changing times.

Brewers hope that the 250th anniversary will be a turning point. Over the past few months, Anheuser-Busch has leaned hard into its American bona fides, rolling out a “Choose Beer Grown Here” marketing campaign spearheaded by a taproom on wheels currently touring the country. Elsewhere in the alcoholoverse, Pabst recently declared itself “The Most American Beer” with a limited-edition Freedom Pack containing 250 ounces of lager, while Miller Lite is running a sweepstakes offering fans either $250 or 250 cans of beer.