Signature drinks from every state
Every U.S. state has something it's proud of—and that's especially true of its signature drinks. These are drinks that locals love and ones tourists love to seek out. You know the ones we're talking about. Can you imagine a trip to California without a glass of Napa Valley red wine? Or breezing through Seattle without a piping-hot cup of coffee? Sometimes it's the signature drink that helps to solidify a destination's character.
There is no hard-and-fast rule when defining a state's signature drink. Some states even have drinks that are designated as their official state beverages. In fact, the most popular state beverage across the country is, believe it or not, milk— claim milk as their official state beverage. Other states are well known for their drinks, like Nebraska and its Red Beer, a concoction of beer and tomato juice similar to Mexico's "Ojo Rojo" hangover cure. There are drinks like sweet tea with vodka from South Carolina or Jack Daniel's from Tennessee. These drinks are state icons, even if they don't have official state symbol status.
Even as U.S. drinking culture shifts and , tourists and locals alike always seem to find a reason to seek out these beverages. And in the near future, certain drinks might be popular only in their home states. The demand for and is on the rise nowadays, with these two markets expected to grow by 18% and 8.5%, respectively, before 2030, changing the drinks scene nationwide.
In the meantime, you can embrace the flavors of our 50 states by doing a taste test of their signature drinks. Âé¶¹Ô´´ looked at official state websites, news, culinary profiles, and historic reports that tie specific beverages to states nationwide. Some states had several drinks in the running, so in those cases, the majority ruled.
Are you ready to discover signature beverages from across the country? In fact, do you even know the signature drink from your home state? Read on to discover which state is known for your favorite beverages.
Alabama: Yellowhammer
An Alabama game day isn't the real deal without a Yellowhammer. Named for the eponymous bird, it is the signature beverage of and favored when the University of Alabama is playing. According to The Daily Meal, it contains vodka, light rum, amaretto, orange juice, and pineapple juice, .
Alaska: Duck farts
An Anchorage original, Duck Farts are much tastier than they sound. According to Chowhound, . They are made with Kahlua, Baileys Irish cream, and Crown Royal Whisky.
Arizona: Tequila sunrise
The origin of the Tequila Sunrise is a bit murky. , while others say the modern version hails from . Another group believes it dates back to Tijuana, Mexico, during Prohibition. Whatever the story, Arizona's Tequila Sunrise is both a signature drink and part of a signature event that celebrates Northern Arizona University's homecoming. The OG cocktail includes tequila, creme de cassis, lime juice, and soda water (the newer version is tequila, orange juice, and grenadine).
Arkansas: Arkansas razorback
Go Hogs! is the rallying cry for the beloved University of Arkansas Razorbacks' football team. It's also the rallying cry for the . Made with raspberries, fruit punch, and turbinado sugar, it's sure to fill you with team spirit, so to speak.
California: Wine
The majority of American wine comes from the vineyards of California. In fact, according to the Wine Institute, and is the fourth-leading wine producer in the world. From Napa and Sonoma to the Central Coast, the Central Valley, and the South Coast, you don't have to go very far in California to taste a world-class glass of wine.
Colorado: Colorado bulldog
It may look like a White Russian, but the Colorado Bulldog packs a bubbly extra treat. Made with the signature vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, the Colorado Bulldog adds a splash of Coke. Its origins are a bit enigmatic, but and mascot of Colorado State University before its sports teams were renamed the Aggie Rams, according to Spoon University.
Connecticut: Moscow mule
While the name leads one to believe that this cocktail is Russian in origin, it's far more Connecticuter in reality. According to the Hartford Courant, of G.F. Heublein Brothers of Hartford, a spirits and food distributor. He named it the Moscow mule because it contains vodka, which actually is associated with Russia, while "mule" is the term for the group of drinks prepared with ginger beer and citrus.
Delaware: Dogfish Head
Delawareans worth their suds will tell you that a bottle of Dogfish Head is unequivocally the signature drink of the state. . Today the empire spans restaurants, an inn, and a distillery.
Florida: Orange juice
When it comes to Florida, it has to be orange juice. , according to Visit Florida. More than 90% of the eponymous juice in the United States comes from Florida oranges. If you want to keep with the cocktail theme, throw a little bubbly in and make it a mimosa.
Georgia: Scarlet O'Hara
Named for the world's most famous Southern belle, . It's made with cranberry juice, a dash of lime, and Southern Comfort, according to The Daily Meal.
Hawaii: Mai tai
Hawaii and tiki go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise that the most popular drink at Hawaiian bars is the mai tai. Made with orange, lime, and rum, it's the perfect tropical cocktail to pair with those stunning Hawaii beaches. According to Eater, the mai tai was so popular in the 1940s and '50s that it actually .
Idaho: Canadian whisky
Idaho loves its Canadian whisky. It will get you through those long, cold winters. In fact, , according to the Idaho Statesman.
Illinois: Jameson Irish Whiskey
With its Irish population and the yearly tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day, Illinois is all about Ireland. So when it comes to choosing a signature drink, it has to be Jameson Irish Whiskey, .
Indiana: Water
It may not be the most creative state drink, but it certainly is the most important. According to 2007's 115th General Assembly of Indiana Senate Resolution 20, .
Iowa: Frozen blue water margarita
West Okoboji Lake is one of Iowa's biggest claims to fame. In fact, the naturally blue lake is so beloved that it inspired Iowa's signature drink, the frozen blue water margarita. According to Taste of Home, the cocktail is made with tequila, Cointreau, and lime. The brilliant blue comes from Blue Curacao.
Kansas: Horsefeather
The city of Lawrence is , the Horsefeather. According to Punch Drink, the cocktail includes Old Overholt rye, ginger, lemon juice, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
Kentucky: Mint julep
For more than two centuries, Kentuckians have been filling their highball glasses with mint juleps. , according to Taste of Home, mint juleps include bourbon (another Kentucky native), sugar syrup, and fresh mint.
Louisiana: Sazerac
While tourists are slinging hurricanes on Bourbon Street, locals from Louisiana are sipping on Sazeracs. , the modern iteration includes rye whiskey, absinthe, and bitters.
Maine: Moxie
As of 2005, the official soft drink of the state of Maine is Moxie. and combines bitter and sweet flavors.
Maryland: Milk
Bones are strong in the state of Maryland. That's because milk has been the state drink since 1998. Maryland cows are world-famous for their black and white spots. According to Maryland Manual, .
Massachusetts: Cranberry juice
Known for its beautiful crimson cranberry bogs, it's no wonder Massachusetts chose in 1970, according to CBS Boston. In fact, Ocean Spray is based in Massachusetts.
Michigan: The hummer
Michigan's unequivocal signature drink is the hummer. , the hummer is made with white rum, Kahlua, and two scoops of vanilla ice cream, according to Punch Drink.
Minnesota: Milk
, according to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, the state designated—you guessed it—milk as its official beverage in 1984. Minnesota ranks eighth in dairy production in the United States.
Mississippi: Milk
Got milk? Mississippi does. , according to Made in Mississippi.
Missouri: Budweiser
Anheuser-Busch, America's iconic brewery, started in the 1850s in St. Louis Today, it's where the remains.
Montana: Whiskey ditch
Montanans are of strong stock. That's why their signature drink is a whiskey ditch, , according to Spoon University. A drink order ending in "ditch" means "with water."
Nebraska: Red beer
In Mexico they call it an ojo rojo (red eye), , according to Eater. Either way, it's beer with a splash of tomato juice, and it's absolutely essential for a morning after a big night out.
Nevada: Picon punch
, especially in the northern part of the state, according to NBC News Las Vegas. That's why the state drink is none other than the Picon punch, a Basque Country drink that is made with grenadine, club soda, brandy, and Amer Picon.
New Hampshire: Apple cider
When autumn rolls around, New England's apple orchards come alive with activity. Tourists flock from all around for apple picking and to sip a mug of hot apple cider, which happens to be the official drink of New Hampshire since 2010. There are , according to State Symbols USA.
New Jersey: Jäger-bombs
New Jersey doesn't have a true official cocktail or state drink, but college students across the state (especially along its iconic Jersey Shore) . Made iconic on the reality show The Jersey Shore, according to The New York Times, Jäger-bombs are made by dropping a shot of Jägermeister into a glass of Red Bull.
New Mexico: Chimayó cocktail
The birth of the Chimayó cocktail can be traced to Rancho de Chimayó, , according to Taste of Home. The drink blends tequila and apple juice with fresh lemon juice and Creme de Cassis.
New York: Milk
Did you know that New York is the third-largest milk producer in the United States? According to State Symbol USA, that's why . The milk produced in New York is used for consumption but also for butter, cheese, ice cream, and processed products.
North Carolina: The cherry bounce
Technically, the official state drink of North Carolina is, once again, milk. But in the spirit of keeping things interesting, let's look at its unofficial cocktail, the cherry bounce. Spoon University says that near Raleigh and consists of cherries, sugar, and your choice of hard alcohol.
North Dakota: Beer
, according to VinePair. A 2020 report shows that as with Montana, Vermont, and New Hampshire, beer is the most preferred beverage in the state.
Ohio: Bloody mary
, so it makes sense that the bloody mary would be a signature drink of the state. Every bartender makes their own version of this iconic brunch cocktail, but the base is always a blend of tomato juice, vodka, and a blend of spices.
Oklahoma: Roy Rogers
It doesn't get much more Oklahoman than Roy Rogers. Known as The King of Cowboys, the legend was married at the Flying L Ranch in Davis. According to Taste of Home, , so the mocktail after his name contains only grenadine, Cola, and a Maraschino cherry.
Oregon: Negroni
Portland's cocktail scene is strong, with some of the best bartenders in the country churning out delectable drinks. One of their state favorites is the negroni. In fact, every year in Portland. The cocktail contains gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Pennsylvania: Craft beer
There was a time when Pennsylvania was the #1 producer of craft beer in the country, according to Breweries in PA. (behind California), beer is still pretty important to the Pennsylvanian economy.
Rhode Island: Coffee milk
is the now-iconic drink of Rhode Island known as coffee milk, according to Imbibe magazine. The drink came about in the 1930s and can boast of being a household name across the state.
South Carolina: Sweet tea and vodka
There are few things more Southern than sweet tea. And while sweet tea itself was invented in Virginia, Firefly Distillery on South Carolina's Wadmalaw Island of sweet tea with vodka, according to The Daily Meal.
South Dakota: South Dakota martini
It's not fancy or elaborate, but it's a South Dakota classic. The South Dakota martini is simple: , per the Argus Leader. That's about it, and it's all you need.
Tennessee: Jack Daniel's
If there's one thing Tennessee does well, it's whiskey. . Whether you're crafting a cocktail, mixing it with classic Coke, or sipping it on the rocks, you're right at home if you're drinking Jack in Tennessee.
Texas: Margarita
While the margarita conjures images of a beach in Mexico, . Invented by Pancho Morales, a truck driver from Juarez, Mexico, the classic tequila concoction was created in El Paso, according to Texas Monthly.
Utah: Root beer
Utahns love their root beer, especially if it's Brigham's Brew Root Beer. , the popular soda ranks highly in a state that has some pretty rigid liquor laws.
Vermont: Old Vermont
If it were socially acceptable to drink maple syrup, Vermonters certainly would. The next-best thing? Throw it in a cocktail. Meet the old Vermont, , according to Spoon University.
Virginia: George Washington's Rye Whiskey
George Washington, a Virginia native, has his obvious claims to fame. But did you know he also distilled whiskey? Produced at his Mount Vernon home in the 1790s, the rye whiskey is still in production today. In 2017, it became .
Washington: Coffee
From Starbucks to Seattle's Best, the state of Washington knows and loves its coffee. In fact, is one of the reasons locals love the city so much.
West Virginia: Gin and tonic
You may associate a gin and tonic with a chic pub in London, but . Gin and tonics are local favorites in the state, usually served with aged gin, tonic, seltzer, and lemon oil, says The Daily Meal.
Wisconsin: Brandy old fashioned
Listen, we want to say milk because, well, Wisconsin cows. Milk is technically the official state beverage, but the brandy old fashioned is a Wisconsin legend and certainly deserves some attention. A uses brandy instead of whiskey and is served with Maraschino cherries, orange juice, a dash of bitters, soda, and ice. When ordering, bartenders will ask if you want "sweet or sour," which refers to the soda choice. Sour isn't actually sour, but the less-sweet option of 50/50 or Squirt. Sweet means the added sugar of a 7Up or Sprite.
Wyoming: Wyoming Whiskey
With the state name built right into the title, in the state. Whiskey is hardcore, craft-distilled, and not for the faint of heart, which speaks well to the cowboy culture in Wyoming. Whatever you're pouring Wyoming Whiskey into, locals are drinking, according to The Daily Meal.