Spirit brands like Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Bacardi, and Baileys continue to win the loyalty of many Americans who consume alcohol. 

This trend, tracked by YouGov Consumer Ratings in Q4 2025, signals a notable change in U.S. drinking habits.

TL;DR

• Spirits dominate, with Bacardi (50%), Crown Royal, and Jack Daniel’s (49% each) topping the ranks in popularity.
• America’s drinking scene shows a balance of rum, whiskies, liqueurs, and clear spirits.

For context, YouGov collects data using large online survey panels. U.S. adults who signed up to take surveys are invited to rate brands (like spirit brands) as favourable, unfavourable, or neutral / don’t know. 

The percentage shown in today’s visualization is the share of respondents who chose the favourable option. 

While there may be other reasons for this popular choice, it indicates a growing preference for certain brands in the Whiskies & Brandies category.

Leading Beer Brands & Styles

Seeing that Guinness tops the U.S. beer popularity chart at 51%, closely followed by Corona and Modelo, it’s a strong indication that imported beers have higher appeal. 

Light lagers, such as Budweiser at 44% and Coors at 43%, maintain their presence thanks to brand recognition and tradition, although their dominance is gradually fading. 

Meanwhile, craft styles, such as IPAs, stouts, and specialty lagers, are gaining popularity.

This means there’s a growing preference among drinkers for flavor and local identity alongside traditional mass-market options.

The Boom of Ready-to-Drink & Hard Seltzer Cocktails

Ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers have gained popularity, with White Claw and Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling leading the way. 

US hard seltzer sales reached $4.1 billion in 2020. 

While sales were very high in 2020, the category began to slow afterwards as consumer demand for fuller-flavoured options, such as canned cocktails, rose.

Consumers gravitate toward these drinks for convenience, lower calorie counts, and appealing flavours that attract health-conscious younger audiences. 

ELI5

Americans enjoy a wide range of drinks. In the Midwest, beer is the most popular choice. The South prefers bourbon and whiskey, while coastal areas lean towards gin, rum, and craft cocktails. 

Ready-to-drink and low-alcohol options are becoming popular nationwide, driven by a focus on convenience and wellness.