Top 100 American Alcoholic Beverages

Frozen daiquiri is a variation of a classic shaken daiquiri, which typically incorporates rum, fresh lime juice, and sugar. This frozen version is mostly blended and usually includes pulverized ice and frozen fruit to mix, creating a sweet slurry with a texture similar to a slushie. Frozen daiquiris probably first appeared at the legendary El Floridita in Havana, sometime around the time of Prohibition. They were initially made with crushed ice and electric blenders, but their popularity skyrocketed in the second half of the 20th century after the invention of commercial machines. Banana and strawberry daiquiris were probably the most famous derivations at the time. Through the years, the drink went through many transformations that sometimes significantly differ from the original. They went to include sugar-packed syrups and artificial flavorings, earing frozen daiquiri somewhat of a bad rep. Frozen daiquiri is especially popular in Louisiana, and most local bars specializing in frozen daiquiris have several machines that dispense various daiquiri flavors. Expand

A classic cocktail that was created in New York City in the 1940s, Moscow Mule consists of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Because it contains ginger beer, Moscow Mule is a type of buck (a mixed drink with ginger beer or ale, spirit, and citrus), so it is often referred to as Vodka Buck. The cocktail is traditionally served in a copper mug, on the rocks, with a lime wheel garnish. Vodka is typically associated with Russia, while mule was supposedly added to the name because ginger beer adds a kick of flavor, hence the name Moscow Mule.Expand

Known as the specialty drink of New Orleans, where it was invented in 1887 as the first beverage in the fizz family, Gin Fizz is a cocktail made with gin, Gomme syrup or sugar, lemon juice, and soda water. The cocktail is prepared by shaking gin, lemon juice, and sweet syrup with ice. When strained in a glass, it is topped with sparkling water which provides it with a bubbly effect, hence the fizz in its name. The drink is very similar to Tom Collins, a cocktail that is traditionally made with a slightly sweeter gin called Old Tom. There are several versions of Gin Fizz, and some of the most popular varieties include egg whites in the preparation, such as Silver Fizz, Golden Fizz, Royal Fizz, and Sloe Gin Fizz. Regardless of the varieties, the cocktail is typically served on the rocks in a highball glass garnished with a slice of lemon.Expand

Mai Tai is a popular rum-based cocktail originating from Oakland in 1944. Its name means good in Tahitian. In addition to rum, which can be both spiced and coconut flavored, the cocktail contains lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur, typically curaçao, but in some versions it can include grapefruit juice, bitters, or grenadine. All ingredients should be vigorously shaken with ice for a few minutes before the cocktail is strained into an old-fashioned glass. Before serving, Mai Tai is traditionally garnished with fruits such as pineapple, orange, and cherries. It became a trendy cocktail in the 1950s, when Elvis Presley promoted it in his movie, and since then it is heavily associated with Tiki culture and Polynesian-style settings.Expand

Whiskey Sour is an American cocktail that originated sometime in the 1870s. This cocktail classic is composed of whiskey or bourbon, sugar or Gomme syrup, lemon juice, and optionally an egg white. It is believed that the original version did not include an egg white, but it was added later to give the drink a smoother texture. Modern recipes often leave it out or list it as an optional ingredient. If an egg white is added to the mix, the drink is often referred to as Boston Sour, and if red wine is included in the cocktail, it is then called New York Sour. In some versions, sugar syrup can be replaced with grenadine syrup, while other versions add both lemon juice and orange juice. Whiskey Sour is a shaken cocktail typically served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass, usually garnished with a Maraschino cherry and orange zest or half of an orange slice. Expand

Lava Flow is a Hawaiian cocktail with numerous variations. It can be blended or shaken. The blended version is typically made with a combination of coconut rum, light rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, bananas, and frozen strawberries. In order to prepare it, rums and strawberries are blended separately from other ingredients, but they are later combined in a collins or hurricane glass so that the strawberries swirl in the drink, creating an effect similar to that of lava flow. If shaken, strawberries and a slice of banana should be muddled in the bottom of a glass, then combined with ice and shaken coconut cream, pineapple juice, and rum. The cocktail is then garnished with a pineapple wedge and a paper parasol, if desired.Expand

Ramos Gin Fizz is an American cocktail made with a combination of gin, sugar syrup, lime juice, lemon juice, cream, egg whites, orange flower water, vanilla extract, and soda water. All ingredients except soda are poured in a mixing glass and dry shaken without ice for 2 minutes. Ice is then added to the combination, and the cocktail is hard shaken for an additional minute. The cocktail should be strained into a highball glass without ice, then topped with soda. Due to the fact that vigorous shaking is required to reach the right texture, Ramos Gin Fizz is loathed by many bartenders. It was created in 1888 by Henry Charles Ramos (hence the name) at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon in New Orleans. Originally, the inventor employed a few ''shaker men'' in his bar to meet the constant demand for the cocktail. This foamy, floral, and refreshing cocktail can be garnished with orange and lemon slices, if desired.Expand

Mint Julep is a cocktail that originated in the 18th century in Kentucky, and it is widely consumed throughout the American South. It contains bourbon, sugar syrup, water, crushed ice, and fresh mint leaves (usually spearmint). In the 18th century, Mint Julep was originally prescribed for stomach-aches, while bourbon was sometimes replaced with aged gin. However, since 1938, it is associated with the Kentucky Derby as an official drink. The drink is prepared by muddling fresh mint with sugar and crushed ice until the mint releases its essential oils, and the cocktail is then topped with bourbon and water. Although it was traditionally served in a silver cup in the past, nowadays it is commonly served in a tall glass (collins or highball) with a straw.Expand

Midori Sour is a refreshing, fruity cocktail that is typically made with a combination of Midori melon liqueur, lime juice, lemon-lime soda, and sour mix. However, there are many recipes for this cocktail, so it is sometimes prepared with whiskey or vodka. To prepare it, the ingredients should be shaken with ice, then strained into a highball glass garnished with a cherry.Expand

Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic cocktail made with grenadine and equal parts ginger ale and lemon-lime soda. Grenadine is first poured into a glass filled with ice cubes, and it is then topped with ginger ale and lemon-lime soda before getting stirred and garnished with a cherry. The lemon-lime soda adds a nice citrus flavor, while ginger ale brings sweet, slightly spicy notes to the drink. Shirley Temple cocktail is often served to children because it does not contain any alcohol, but it can be easily modified into the alcoholic version, known as Dirty Shirley, by adding vodka or rum. Although the cocktail was named after the famous actress, she was not a fan of the beverage and thought it was too sweet. It is believed that the first Shirley Temple was prepared by a bartender at a Beverly Hills restaurant called Chasen’s.Expand

Tree House Brewing Company is one of the most highly regarded American craft breweries, known for its top-quality unfiltered IPAs and strong local presence. It was founded in 2011 in the state of Massachusetts by four friends as a small homebrewing project in Brimfield.

They are best known for their hazy and juicy IPA beers, especially Julius, which stands out with tropical aromas of mango, peach, and passionfruit, paired with gentle bitterness and a smooth, full-bodied taste. Their beers are not distributed - they are sold exclusively on-site at brewery locations, giving them an exclusive status and creating buzz and long lines with each new release.

Tree House combines innovation and high quality with a local, community-driven approach and a commitment to sustainable growth. Each location offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, often with pizza, music, and outdoor gathering spaces.Expand

Hill Farmstead Brewery is a premier craft brewery located in Greensboro Bend, Vermont, founded around 2010 by Shaun Hill on his family’s ancestral farm, which has been in the Hill family for over two centuries. The brewery focuses on subtle complexity and elegance, producing small batches of exceptionally high-quality beers - including IPAs, saisons, porters, and others.

Sales take place exclusively on-site, often drawing long lines of visitors who travel from distant states to purchase beer directly from the source. The brewery features a beautifully designed taproom and a retail shop lined with growlers and bottles, while the setting of the family farm adds an authentic, serene backdrop to the full brewery experience.Expand

Side Project Brewing is an American craft brewery based in Saint Louis (Maplewood, Missouri), run by Cory and Karen King. The brewery is renowned for its premium, complex beers fermented in oak barrels, using wild yeasts and spontaneous processes that give each release a rustic and unpredictable character.

Their philosophy relies heavily on local ingredients - such as fruit and native microorganisms - to create unique saison and wild ale styles with a strong sense of terroir. In addition, Side Project experiments with aging in bourbon and other spirit barrels, crafting intensely powerful stouts and barleywines that combine strength and depth with exceptional balance and elegance.

Their work is defined by technical precision, innovation, and dedication to artisanal principles, making them one of the most respected and influential breweries in the world of spontaneous and barrel-aged beers.Expand

Russian River Brewing was founded in 1997, when Vinnie Cilurzo was hired as the head brewer. As early as 1999, Vinnie created one of the first commercially available Double IPAs - the renowned Pliny the Elder, which remains the brewery’s most famous and acclaimed beer to this day.

Their reputation is built primarily on outstanding IPA styles, with Pliny the Elder - Double IPA, and Pliny the Younger - Triple IPA standing out. The latter is brewed only once a year, during a two-week release in February or March, and is available exclusively at their locations -an event that attracts beer enthusiasts from around the world.

With the opening of their modern brewery in Windsor, they significantly expanded production capacity while also enhancing the visitor experience. Today, Russian River Brewing is considered one of the most influential and innovative American craft breweries, with its success rooted in a strong commitment to quality, continuous innovation, and deep connection with the community.Expand

Angry Chair Brewing is a craft brewery located in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida, recognized for its unique blend of technical precision and an experimental approach to brewing. While best known for their rich, layered, and often decadent stouts, their lineup also includes IPAs, light and refreshing lagers, classic pilsners, porters, and thoughtfully crafted sour styles.

Their focus is on creating beers with distinct character and balanced flavor profiles, which has earned them a loyal following and recognition within the craft beer community. The taproom offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where locals and visitors come together, while the constantly rotating draft list ensures that each visit brings a new experience.Expand

Monkish Brewing Co. is an independent brewery based in Torrance, California, with an additional taproom in Anaheim, known for its exceptional hazy IPAs and sour ales. Founded in 2012, the brewery began with Belgian-style ales but quickly gained a reputation as one of the most innovative producers of New England IPAs on the West Coast.

Their shift toward modern, hop-forward styles is marked by a meticulous focus on aroma and dry-hopping techniques, using varietals such as Citra, Nelson, Galaxy, and Mosaic. Monkish also continues to explore fermentation-driven expressions - developing complex wild and mixed-fermentation ales in parallel with their IPA lineup, relying on both spontaneous and controlled processes in oak foeders.

Each recipe carries the signature of head brewer Henry Nguyen, who blends technical precision with a creative approach inspired by philosophy and aesthetics.Expand

Other Half Brewing is a highly influential craft brewery founded in 2014 in Brooklyn by Sam Richardson, Matt Monahan, and Andrew Burman. From the very beginning, they established themselves as masters of hop-forward styles, with a focus on juicy, fruity, and dank IPAs inspired by the West Coast.

Their dedication to using top-tier hops, employing techniques like double dry hopping, and pioneering innovations such as HDHC (high-density hop charge) have helped redefine the modern IPA and become hallmarks of the brewery. Other Half has built a strong reputation through collaborations with breweries around the world, while their culinary approach to recipe development adds depth and complexity to their beers. By combining a passion for aromatic hops, technical innovation, and close engagement with the beer community, Other Half has earned cult status among craft beer enthusiasts.

Today, they operate in several major U.S. cities and are considered one of the leading forces on the American craft beer scene, particularly known for their outstanding and boundary-pushing IPA releases.Expand

Domaine Serene is a prestigious family-owned winery located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, founded in 1989 by Ken and Grace Evenstad with a clear vision of producing world-class, Burgundy-inspired wines. The winery has built a strong reputation as one of the leading producers in the United States, with a particular focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - varieties that best express the region’s cool climate and diverse soils.

Domaine Serene manages its own estate vineyards across several highly regarded sites, vinifying each parcel separately in order to preserve its individual terroir identity. Their approach combines meticulous vineyard management, low yields, and carefully controlled winemaking, supported by extended aging and the use of French oak.

The wines are known for their depth, structure, and elegance, as well as their strong potential for long-term aging. In addition to still wines, the estate also produces sparkling wines and limited-production collector cuvées.

Today, Domaine Serene stands as one of the key symbols of quality and ambition in American Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, enjoying a strong international reputation.Expand

Pips Meadery is a family-owned meadery based in Gurnee, Illinois, recognized for its innovative approach to mead production. Their philosophy lies in blending traditional methods with modern techniques and creative experimentation with ingredients.

The founders emphasize that the name “Pips” carries layered meanings, referring to fruit seeds, game symbols, and most importantly, a personal dedication to their son Parker, which gives the brand authenticity and emotional depth. Their production focuses on rich, often dessert-style meads made from honey combined with fruits, spices, nuts, or even aged in barrels.

The products are known for their higher alcohol content and full-bodied flavors, yet remain well-balanced and approachable. Their goal is not only to craft unique drinks but also to continuously improve and connect with the community through tastings and events at their Gurnee location.

The brand has positioned itself as one of the most exciting players on the American mead scene, successfully merging tradition, innovation, and a deeply personal touch. Pips Meadery stands as an example of how artisanal production can be both creative and intimate, while always remaining focused on exceptional quality.Expand

Schramm’s Mead is a craft meadery from Ferndale, Michigan, led by Ken Schramm, one of the most renowned authors and practitioners in the world of mead production. Their approach is based on the use of carefully selected honey, such as orange blossom honey, and large quantities of high-quality fruit, with some releases using more than 10 pounds of fruit per gallon of mead.

The range includes melomels, fruit-forward meads, and metheglins with spices, all reflecting a strong dedication to authentic and full-bodied flavors. The first meadery and tasting room opened in 2013 in Ferndale, where visitors can sample both core offerings and experimental editions.

Their portfolio features drinks with distinctive character, from classic berry combinations to exotic releases made with rare honeys. The brand is built on the values of quality and fidelity to ingredients, with plans for cultivating their own fruit and producing honey to increase sustainability.

Today, Schramm’s Mead is regarded as one of the most respected meaderies in the world, recognized for its commitment to excellence and authenticity.Expand