Eggnog Is Out: Hot Chocolate and Espresso Martinis Are America's New Favorite Holiday Drinks

What are Americans drinking this holiday season? It's probably not what you think. The once-quintessential holiday beverage, eggnog, failed to top the list in a single state, making way for new champions: hot chocolate and the espresso martini. According to a new analysis of Google Trends data over a one-year period by coffee-review site Coffeeness, the nation's festive drink preferences are undergoing a significant shift.

Comfort and Caffeine Lead the Pack

The most popular holiday drink across the country is hot chocolate, claiming the top spot in 13 states, including Rhode Island and North Dakota. Tied for second place are apple cider and the espresso martini, with each being the favorite in 11 states. The data also revealed interesting regional preferences; warmer-climate states like Arizona and Hawaii favored the mimosa, a beverage typically associated with brunch.

The Unstoppable Rise of the Espresso Martini

The most notable trend from the study is the ascent of the espresso martini. Invented in the 1980s, the cocktail has seen a massive revival in recent years. Coffeeness CEO Arne Preuss noted its significance, sharing that its performance "represents one of the most significant shifts in American festive drinking culture we’ve seen in recent years." He added that it's now "standing shoulder-to-shoulder with beverages that have defined American holidays for generations."