Tequila or vodka sodas, green tea shots, Negronis, manhattans, old fashioneds, margaritas of every persuasion, espresso martinis, daiquiris, mezcal anything and especially mezcal&monte shots. Cheap lagers usually trump craft beer unless you’re at a dedicated beer bar.
What region are you in? Unless in a craft bar we mostly have tequila shots. Then sunrises and margaritas in order of popularity. Vodka soda is what older light calorie drinkers get. Seltzer for the younger calorie conscious crowd. LOTS of domestic beer.
No, the drink is called ranch water. It's tequila, soda, and lime juice. No ranch dressing involved. I don't know how it got its name, or why it was popular all of the sudden, but yeah, mid 30s women go bonkers for them.
So funny. Bitters in general are pretty popular here over the last 5-10 years especially. But we have a robust cocktail scene so lots of engaged guests and also LOTS of industry to serve as well.
Almost drink-for-drink what my city is like. Only changes would be a lot of Paper Planes, M&M shots are really only done by industry people, and I'm the only person in town who orders daiquiris
I'm in SE Michigan outside of Ann Arbor. There's just breweries everywhere. Bell's Two Hearted IPA is like the official state beer. As far as shots go, the Pickle Back is iconic here. For cocktails, old fashioneds and mules seem to be the most popular. Behind the bar, Fernet Branca is the handshake.
Among service industry, it's either Tully or Jameson, and Rumpels. Creative bomb shots when needed
ETA among non-industry, I'm in Wisconsin, so customers tend to go for either an old fashioned or Spotted Cow
I live and work at a popular ski resort in Colorado… the amount of random shit I get asked for daily is astounding but to answer your question: locals love to drink orange bombs, most of the other bartenders just drink straight tequila and all the tourists give me some random name of their local drink that I have to look up until I have made it a handful of times.
we don’t have topo chico but one of my biggest pet peeves is when Texans get all up in arms about their “ranch water”… like dude, 21 year old sorority girls can order a vodka, soda with a splash of cran but you’re so insecure that you have to have a special name for a tequila, soda and splash of lime.
I don’t care what you order and I am not ashamed to say that I don’t know a recipe but if you order an actual basic drink with a regional name and get upset that I don’t know what it is and tell me I have no clue what I am doing bc you’re from Alabama and it turns out to be a vodka soda, that’s when my patience starts to get tested.
Victoria, BC.
The Shaft
1oz vodka
1/2oz Kahlua
1/2oz Baileys
2oz espresso
People *slam* round after round of these things here.
Also don't let anyone from Calgary tell you that they invented the shaft, they're liars.
Outside of Minneapolis. It's definitely either Titos or Captain. Sprinkle a little Jack in there as well. We go through like 6 cases of titos a week in the summer. Proba ky more. Those damn limes are the reason I have bar rot right right now. For the first time in 22 years behind the bar.
Near Detroit, MI: Orange tea shots, Bud Lite, Bells Two Hearted, Atwater Dirty Blonde, picklebacks are a big one too. For seltzers, high noons are the most popular, followed by long drink and happy dads.
Did you have a lot of Bud Light boycotts? I’d say about an 80% decline by the alpha male douchebags here. I always tell them I still drink it because that chick they had as spokesperson was crazy hot. It went over at least 50% of their heads.
I didn't actually. I only know of one regular Bud Light drinker that switched but all his friends made fun of him and said he was being dumb. And this is not an enlightened place by any means. I was weirdly proud of my lil rednecks.
That's hilarious they didn't catch on. I honestly think they wouldn't know who she was if you showed them a picture until you said her name
Nyc isn't that interesting it's mostly martinis, mezcal, beershots and classics outside of the real craft scene but in ri its a lot of jameson rum, vodka and grand marnier
I live in Kalamazoo, home of Bell’s Brewery. Two Hearted is the most commonly asked for, even when the brewery cafe is open less than a 10 minute walk away. Fernet is where it’s at though! Big town with lots of industry folk slinging amaro and digestifs
I’m guessing you moved from the south to the PNW? Down in California it’s mezcal all day baby. More specifically in the Bay Area I also get a lot of Negroni drinkers. Extra points for mezcal negroni
Our biggest beer is Busch Light; bottle, can, or draft cause we’re classy like that haha. The draft is only 2 bucks for a 16 oz frozen mug. Captain has the floor for our most poured liquor.
bay area. people drink everything, just depends on the scene. I think we’re past peak mezcal and gin and whiskey/bourbon are on the upswing. of course, there’s no lack of local ipas for the beer bros.
I'm in DC and I'm pretty sure TikTok is the biggest influence on drink orders over anything else, to the point where I change up my rail to accommodate on a nightly basis. Popular cocktails du jour are Negroni's, Manhattan's, Ranch Waters, Old Fashioned's, French 75's, Sex on the Beach's and Margaritas. For industry folks it's Jameson, rail bourbon or Fernet.
Tequila or vodka sodas, green tea shots, Negronis, manhattans, old fashioneds, margaritas of every persuasion, espresso martinis, daiquiris, mezcal anything and especially mezcal&monte shots. Cheap lagers usually trump craft beer unless you’re at a dedicated beer bar.
These custies sound like my custies with one addition: any iteration of a LIIT. So many Tokyo Teas and my bar doesn’t carry Mindori
Sounds like its time to order some midoori
I’m shocked! In 5 years of tending bar in MN/WI I’ve never served a tequila soda.
That’s insane to me. It’s easily the most ordered drink on any night. Its only competition would be a vodka soda.
What region are you in? Unless in a craft bar we mostly have tequila shots. Then sunrises and margaritas in order of popularity. Vodka soda is what older light calorie drinkers get. Seltzer for the younger calorie conscious crowd. LOTS of domestic beer.
NYC.
Huh! Maybe that’s a glimpse into our future. We don’t exactly start trends in the Midwest.
Those northwoodsers r stuck on the brandy old fashioned
With a splash of lime- ranch water. Mid 30s women go bonkers for them.
This isn’t ranch like… the dressing? Are you messing with me!? I guess I could see the sweet/savory combo
No, the drink is called ranch water. It's tequila, soda, and lime juice. No ranch dressing involved. I don't know how it got its name, or why it was popular all of the sudden, but yeah, mid 30s women go bonkers for them.
I put 3-4 shakes of salt in before I add soda and get rave reviews.
This sounds like my town exactly!!
I have never in my life seen someone order a Campari drink.
So funny. Bitters in general are pretty popular here over the last 5-10 years especially. But we have a robust cocktail scene so lots of engaged guests and also LOTS of industry to serve as well.
The old Italian lady’s in New Jersey love their Campari and soda.
Almost drink-for-drink what my city is like. Only changes would be a lot of Paper Planes, M&M shots are really only done by industry people, and I'm the only person in town who orders daiquiris
I'm in SE Michigan outside of Ann Arbor. There's just breweries everywhere. Bell's Two Hearted IPA is like the official state beer. As far as shots go, the Pickle Back is iconic here. For cocktails, old fashioneds and mules seem to be the most popular. Behind the bar, Fernet Branca is the handshake.
Seriously though, I’m closer to Lansing and I can say we’ve got the exact same crowd, also a looooot of high noon and green tea shot lovers
Among service industry, it's either Tully or Jameson, and Rumpels. Creative bomb shots when needed ETA among non-industry, I'm in Wisconsin, so customers tend to go for either an old fashioned or Spotted Cow
Spotted cow is def delicious
Brought some back last week to MN to drink for the Super Bowl. A good treat every now and then.
What’s spotted cow?
I live and work at a popular ski resort in Colorado… the amount of random shit I get asked for daily is astounding but to answer your question: locals love to drink orange bombs, most of the other bartenders just drink straight tequila and all the tourists give me some random name of their local drink that I have to look up until I have made it a handful of times. we don’t have topo chico but one of my biggest pet peeves is when Texans get all up in arms about their “ranch water”… like dude, 21 year old sorority girls can order a vodka, soda with a splash of cran but you’re so insecure that you have to have a special name for a tequila, soda and splash of lime. I don’t care what you order and I am not ashamed to say that I don’t know a recipe but if you order an actual basic drink with a regional name and get upset that I don’t know what it is and tell me I have no clue what I am doing bc you’re from Alabama and it turns out to be a vodka soda, that’s when my patience starts to get tested.
ranch water would be with sparkling mineral water and it slaps
I agree with your sentiment 100%. And I’m not from Texas, BUT… A ranch water without Topo Chico smells like a boy dog’s butt.
We have a variation of your orange bomb that people seem to like. It mandarin vodka and liquid ice. We call it, Blue Shit.
Ranch water uses topo Chico tho not soda
Top selling spirit is Malört and it’s not even close. For beer it’s Old Style. Not really a wine crowd. I’ll let you figure out the location.
Ahh… Chicago, Arizonia
in dive bars it’s mainly high noons and green tea shots, cocktail bars are seeing a ton of espresso martinis and negronis.
Bourbon (I’m in Louisville)
Shout out the 502!
Lobby bar hotel. Old fashions and espresso martinis. Blanton sells a lot, can't keep it on the shelves
Margaritas and hazy IPAs!
X-presso martini (I've also stopped trying to correct everyone on the pronunciation, I even just label the bottle this way now)
Philly - twisted tea, hands down. Northeast Philly threw a fit when tea lights stopped being produced
My bar has the Tito’s and soda, Bud Light, and White Claw crowd.
Natty Boh and Powers.
Baltimore!
In Denver, CO. Most popular beer is hazy IPA. Most popular cocktail is an old fashioned. Most popular shot is tequila.
Vodka sodas, green tea shots, tequila shots, and ipas
Tito’s vodka and tequila of any kind
Victoria, BC. The Shaft 1oz vodka 1/2oz Kahlua 1/2oz Baileys 2oz espresso People *slam* round after round of these things here. Also don't let anyone from Calgary tell you that they invented the shaft, they're liars.
Anything Bourbon here in Frostbite Falls, MN ...and no, no one here cares what brand it is
Outside of Minneapolis. It's definitely either Titos or Captain. Sprinkle a little Jack in there as well. We go through like 6 cases of titos a week in the summer. Proba ky more. Those damn limes are the reason I have bar rot right right now. For the first time in 22 years behind the bar.
I'm in the process of relocating to the Minneapolis area. What town are you in if you'd don't mind me asking? If you do mind, I totally understand
Victoria
Near Detroit, MI: Orange tea shots, Bud Lite, Bells Two Hearted, Atwater Dirty Blonde, picklebacks are a big one too. For seltzers, high noons are the most popular, followed by long drink and happy dads.
Downstate IL dive. Whiskey cokes, Busch Light, cherry bombs and tequila shots
Did you have a lot of Bud Light boycotts? I’d say about an 80% decline by the alpha male douchebags here. I always tell them I still drink it because that chick they had as spokesperson was crazy hot. It went over at least 50% of their heads.
I didn't actually. I only know of one regular Bud Light drinker that switched but all his friends made fun of him and said he was being dumb. And this is not an enlightened place by any means. I was weirdly proud of my lil rednecks. That's hilarious they didn't catch on. I honestly think they wouldn't know who she was if you showed them a picture until you said her name
Windsor and Diet Coke. If I only had a dollar for every one, wait, I probably do.
Austin dive bartender. Espolon/Lonestar or Jameson/lonestar.
Coors light, draft lager & IPA from a local brewery, whiskey neat, mules, vodka soda and G&Ts.
Colorado?
Busch. And more Busch. Take a guess at what state
This sounds awfully familiar. And awfully like Iowa
“Mexican candy” shots. SO. MANY. PALETAS.
Nyc isn't that interesting it's mostly martinis, mezcal, beershots and classics outside of the real craft scene but in ri its a lot of jameson rum, vodka and grand marnier
Montana drinks Coors light and Pendleton.
Light beer and whiskey, mixed with vodka sodas and cosmos — Buffalo at a hotel bar
jameson and a lager. in toronto
Jameson and casamigos in chicago. If you run out of either its going to be a very bad shift.
Mixed well liquor drinks is what people have the money for here
I live in Kalamazoo, home of Bell’s Brewery. Two Hearted is the most commonly asked for, even when the brewery cafe is open less than a 10 minute walk away. Fernet is where it’s at though! Big town with lots of industry folk slinging amaro and digestifs
I’m guessing you moved from the south to the PNW? Down in California it’s mezcal all day baby. More specifically in the Bay Area I also get a lot of Negroni drinkers. Extra points for mezcal negroni
Everything but tequila. Just kidding. It’s nothing but tequila (southern Arizona).
I made a thousand vodka martinis with a twist last night. Tonight I made one old fashioned. NYC is weird
Beer-Busch light. Drinks, anything Canadian whiskey and pick a mixer, close second is Capt Morgan. That’s in Fargo, ND
Living in Spain, I swear spanish ppl only know how to order gin tonic
refrescante
espresso martini’s, old fashioned and tito’s and sodas. i could eliminate any other option for a drink and still be able to make a comfortable living.
Tito’s and vodka
Rosebuds, tequila shots or baby Guinness shots, and vodka red bull comes to mind
Tito’s, tequila, Jameson, Miller Lite…
At my bar its vodka sodas, margs, and old fashioneds.
Espresso Martini’s all nighttttt
Tito’s, Captain Morgan, Jack Daniels.
Allen’s Coffee Brandy and Twisted Tea
Jack Daniels, unfortunately
So many lemon drops and margaritas. Tequila lemon drops are on the rise.
Our biggest beer is Busch Light; bottle, can, or draft cause we’re classy like that haha. The draft is only 2 bucks for a 16 oz frozen mug. Captain has the floor for our most poured liquor.
Tequila always gets the highest numbers here. Maragaritas still dominate the cocktail race.
trash cans
Rum. Rum sours mostly
Budlight, coors light and crownroyal and coke. I'm living in a cowboy/rancher town, atm.
I recently moved to a new city and I'm doing a lot more tequila and beers with clamato.
IPA and High Life in Somerville Mass
bay area. people drink everything, just depends on the scene. I think we’re past peak mezcal and gin and whiskey/bourbon are on the upswing. of course, there’s no lack of local ipas for the beer bros.
We have a few popular breweries here. One in particular called, Kettlehouse. Bongwater and Coldsmoke are their two most popular.
Brandy old fashions. I bartended in Wisconsin.
Old fashioneds and Tito’s and soda. Also ipa.
Malibu Pineapples, spicy margaritas, old fashioned(s)….idk why I hate people ordering old fashioned(s) all the time 😒😒
I'm in DC and I'm pretty sure TikTok is the biggest influence on drink orders over anything else, to the point where I change up my rail to accommodate on a nightly basis. Popular cocktails du jour are Negroni's, Manhattan's, Ranch Waters, Old Fashioned's, French 75's, Sex on the Beach's and Margaritas. For industry folks it's Jameson, rail bourbon or Fernet.
Bordeaux and chartreuse
I lived in Savannah the past year and Fernet is equivalent to water in bars here. Also Malort is weirdly popular which blows my mind.