The Two Cocktails Minnesotans Now Love the Most
We might be famous for hotdishes and hockey here in Minnesota, but when it comes to cocktails, our taste is a lot more cosmopolitan than you might expect. New data reveals the two drinks Minnesotans order more than anything else, and one of them feels straight out of a sunny Italian patio.
Many of us living here in the North Star State like to raise a glass filled with some type of libation to help celebrate important occasions, to unwind after a long week, or when getting together with family and friends. And we now know which cocktails are our favorites across the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
How Minnesota’s Bar Scene Compares to Wisconsin and Iowa
It's likely not a surprise to say that Minnesotans enjoy an adult beverage every now and again, right? And some concrete statistics back that claim up. Minnesota is currently home to 865 bars that will prepare one of those lovely adult beverages for you, as well, according to data from VinePair.
That seems like a pretty decent number, considering our state's population is just under 6 million people. The number of bars located in the state directly to our south, down in Iowa, is similar, though just slightly higher than Minnesota, coming in at 871, VinePair says.
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However, both of those amounts pale in comparison with the number of bars that are located behind the Cheddar Curtain in my home state of Wisconsin. Would you believe that Wisconsin is home to more bars than Minnesota and Iowa combined?!? That's right, America's Dairyland is currently home to a whopping 2,732 bars!
The Top Two Most Popular Cocktails in Minnesota Right Now
But out of all the different cocktail variations available at many of those bars, just which drinks are the most popular here in Minnesota? That's the question the crew over at Coffeeness set out to answer. They pored over tons of Google search data to come up with just which drink is the most popular cocktail in each state.
And here in Minnesota, we have two cocktails that are tied as the most popular:
The Aperol Spritz: A European Favorite in the Bold North
According to the survey, the Aperol spritz is one of our favorite adult beverages here in the North Star State. The crew at Coffeeness notes that the drink, made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda, and garnished with a slice of orange, is also the most popular in 21 other states, including California, Florida, Colorado, and Arizona.
I first had an Aperol spritz while on vacation in Rome, Italy, a few years ago, and was immediately hooked. I even enjoyed one on a sunny patio in Kinsale, Ireland, last year, where I snapped the above pic. It's also a great drink to enjoy while you're sitting on the patio at your favorite watering hole on a warm, summer day here in Minnesota.
Classic vs. Trendy: Why Minnesotans Still Love the Old Fashioned
The other drink that tied as the most popular cocktail here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, according to Coffeeness, is the classic Old Fashioned.
Coffeeness explains that an Old Fashioned is mixed with whiskey, Angostura bitters and sugar, and is often topped off with a cherry garnish or orange peel. Over in Wisconsin, an Old Fashioned made with brandy instead of whiskey is also popular.
The Old Fashioned is especially popular here in the Midwest, topping the list in Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota, as well as being the favorite down in Kentucky, where 95 percent of the world's bourbon is produced.
Whether you like 'em bitter, zesty, fruity, fizzy, spicy, or sweet, there's definitely a cocktail out there for everyone, including 'mocktail' versions which are made without any alcohol. Keep scrolling to see which drinks are the most popular in each state!
