Like everything we put down our gullets, be it food or drink, preferences are regional. You can’t expect everyone from the West Coast to the East Coast to agree on what the best flavor, cuisine, or beverage is. Besides, why would we want them to? Variety is the spice of life, after all.
But one curious writer named Quinn Myers over at Mel Magazine decided to find out what’s trending at watering holes across the country. He called up bartenders nationwide and asked what regulars order when they step up to the bar. He compiled the results in an article cleverly titled “What’s Your Sip Code?” and rounded it out with a pretty little chart for those of us who don’t like to read.
We’ve summarized those findings in listicle format with hilarious GIFs so that the next time you find yourself in unfamiliar territory (literally), you can order drinks like one of the locals, not a yokel. Bottom’s up!
Cover Photo: FreshSplash (Getty Images)
Drinks Across US
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Maryland: Orange Crush
This fruity refreshment combines orange juice, vodka, Grand Marnier, and lemon-lime soda with an orange wedge and mint garnish. People get so particular about the main ingredient, however, that they go so far as to specify what state they want their oranges from.
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Michigan - Bull Shot
This drink originated at the Caucus Club in Detroit and consists of a stomach-churning combination of vodka, canned beef broth, Worcestershire, and Tabasco. It's served over the rocks and garnished with black pepper and a lemon wedge.
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Wisconsin: Wisconsin-Style Old Fashioned
Wisconsin was never known for its class, hence this beverage, which takes the classic Old-Fashioned and reimagines it made with brandy, lemon-lime soda and muddled cocktail cherries, which is basically "syrupy trash water" according to one bartender in the Mel Magazine piece.
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Illinois - The Chicago Handshake
This drink varies depending on who's ordering it, but the basic premise is a shot of Malort and a can of Old Style. Another variation is a shot of Jamo and an Old Style.
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Ohio - Rumple Minze
Though minty cocktails make us want to hurl, the barflies in Akron can't get enough of 'em. Rumple Minze is a German-style liqueur brand that specializes is super strong imbibeables (think 95 - 100 proof) like peppermint schnapps.
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Washington - Tall Boy and Whiskey
Pacific Northwesterners like their booze basic, making Rainier tall boys and shots of whiskey the go-to beverage of barflies.
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California - Miller High Life and Tequila
Props to Southern California for keepin' it real with this super simple combo of Miller High Life and a shot of blanco tequila.
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California - White Linen
Because California is so big -- and its population so diverse -- it gets two nods on this list. In Sacramento, regulars go for a cocktail called White Linen, which is a fancy concoction made from gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and soda or sparkling water with a cucumber garnish.
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Louisiana - Sazerac
They keep it sweet and simple in the South, sticking to this classic cocktail made from rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar and bitters.
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Texas - Ranch Water
The name makes it sound like animal piss, but this beverage is actually palatable with its mixture of tequila, Topo Chico, and lime.
