The Most Popular Southern Drink, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the drink you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:50
On a warm, sunny afternoon, a cold drink in hand is more than just a refreshment—it's a tradition steeped in culture and personal preference. In the South, where such traditions run deep, identifying the most favored drink can spark lively debates at family gatherings and social events. This prompts a need for an organized way to see which beverages truly capture the hearts of many.
Here, every visitor's opinion counts towards shaping the live rankings of these beloved drinks. By casting your vote, you contribute not only to a broader understanding of regional preferences but also to celebrating the rich diversity within Southern drink traditions. This active participation encourages a community-driven result, reflecting the true favorites among a wide audience.
What Is the Most Popular Southern Drink?
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152votes
Sweet Tea
McDonald'sSweet tea is a staple in the South, and is enjoyed by many. This classic drink is made with black tea and sugar, and is often served over ice. It is typically consumed during hot summer months, and is a refreshing way to beat the heat.Sweet Tea is a refreshing beverage offered at McDonald's, known for its sweet and slightly tangy taste. It is a homemade-style iced tea infused with a generous amount of cane sugar, providing a perfect balance of flavors. The Sweet Tea is highly popular among customers who enjoy its delightful sweetness.- Type: Beverage
- Flavor: Sweet and slightly tangy
- Ingredients: Tea, cane sugar
- Preparation: Homemade-style iced tea
- Serving Size: Various sizes available
Sweet Tea in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular drink in Texas
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular non-alcoholic drink in Texas
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular drink at McDonald's
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220votes
Erich Wagner (www.eventografie.de) · CC BY-SA 4.0The Mint Julep is a classic Southern cocktail made with bourbon, sugar, water, and fresh mint. It is often served at outdoor events, such as the Kentucky Derby.The Mint Julep is a classic Bourbon cocktail known for its refreshing and minty flavor. It is traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup filled with crushed ice, allowing the drinker to experience both the chilled temperature and the aromatic fragrance of fresh mint. The Mint Julep is a popular choice, especially during the Kentucky Derby.- Type: Cocktail
- Base Spirit: Bourbon
- Primary Flavor: Mint
- Glassware: Silver or pewter cup
- Preparation: Muddle mint leaves and sugar, add bourbon, fill with crushed ice, and stir until cup frosts
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313votesPecan milk is a new trend in the South, and is becoming increasingly popular. It is a non-dairy alternative to cow's milk, and is made from pecans. It is often sweetened and flavored with vanilla.Pecan Milk is a popular non-dairy beverage in the Southern United States, known for its rich and nutty flavor. It is made by blending soaked pecans with water and then straining out the solids to create a smooth and creamy liquid.
- Flavor: Rich and nutty
- Texture: Smooth and creamy
- Ingredients: Pecans, water
- Dairy-free: Suitable for lactose intolerant individuals and vegans
- Nutritional Profile: High in healthy fats, protein, and fiber
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415votesLemonade is a classic drink that is enjoyed all over the world, but it is particularly popular in the South. It is made with lemon juice, sugar and water, and is often served over ice.Lemonade is a refreshing and tangy citrus-based drink that is popularly enjoyed during the summertime. It is made by combining freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar or a sweetener of choice. Lemonade has a vibrant yellow color and is often served with ice and a slice of lemon as garnish.
- Flavor: Tangy citrus
- Color: Yellow
- Main ingredients: Freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, sugar
- Sweetness level: Customizable based on sweetener used
- Presentation: Served over ice with a slice of lemon as garnish
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513votesCoca-Cola is a soft drink that was invented in the South, and is enjoyed all over the world. It is made with carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine.Coca-Cola is a worldwide popular beverage brand known for its flagship product, Coca-Cola. It is a carbonated soft drink that is adored by millions of people around the globe.
- Year of creation: 1886
- Type: Carbonated soft drink
- Taste: Refreshing, sweet
- Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors
- Caffeine content: 34 mg per 12 fl oz (355 mL)
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612votesCheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink that is popular in the South. It is made with carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine.Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink that originated in the United States. It is known for its distinctive taste and deep red color, resembling cherry syrup. The flavor can be described as a blend of sweet and tart, with a hint of cherry cola. It has gained popularity in Chile due to its unique taste and refreshing qualities.
- Flavor: Cherry
- Color: Deep red
- Taste: Sweet and tart
- Resembles: Cherry syrup
- Popularity: Growing in Chile
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79votesBourbon is a type of whiskey that is made in the United States, and is particularly popular in the South. It is made from a mash that is at least 51% corn, and is aged in charred oak barrels.The Bourbon is a popular biscuit in the UK known for its distinct taste and texture. It consists of two rectangular chocolate-flavored biscuits sandwiched together with a chocolate-flavored filling. The biscuits have a slightly crumbly texture and are often enjoyed dunked in tea or coffee.
- Size: Each biscuit measures approximately 7.5 cm (3 inches) long and 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide.
- Ingredients: Typically made with wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, and a dash of vanilla flavoring.
- Appearance: The biscuits are rectangular, dark brown in color, and often feature a pattern of embossed lettering on the top surface.
- Chocolate Filling: The filling between the biscuits is smooth, chocolate flavored, and has a creamy consistency.
- Texture: The biscuits have a slightly crumbly texture when bitten into, but hold together well when dunked in liquids.
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87votesSweet potato latte is a popular drink in the South, particularly in the fall and winter months. It is made with sweet potato puree, milk, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.The Sweet Potato Latte is a warm and comforting drink that originated from the Southern region of the United States. It is known for its rich and creamy texture with a subtle hint of sweet potato flavor. This latte has gained popularity for its unique twist on the classic coffee beverage.
- Ingredients: Sweet potato puree, espresso or coffee, milk, sweetener (such as honey or brown sugar), spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves)
- Preparation: Combine sweet potato puree, espresso or coffee, milk, sweetener, and spices in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. Warm the mixture on the stovetop or in a microwave. Serve hot.
- Texture: Creamy and velvety
- Flavor: Subtle sweet potato flavor with hints of spices
- Serving temperature: Hot
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98votes
Iced Coffee
Dunkin' DonutsIced coffee is a popular drink in the South, particularly during hot summer months. It is made by brewing coffee and then pouring it over ice. It is often sweetened and flavored with cream, sugar, and syrups.Iced Coffee is a refreshing and energizing beverage offered at Dunkin' Donuts. It is created by infusing freshly brewed coffee with ice, resulting in a chilled and invigorating treat. The rich and smooth taste of the coffee is complemented by the ice, creating a delightful combination of flavors.- Size Options: Available in various sizes, including small, medium, large, and extra-large.
- Flavor Variations: Can be customized with a wide range of flavors, such as caramel, mocha, vanilla, or hazelnut.
- Milk Options: Customers can choose to add whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, or cream to their iced coffee.
- Sweetener Options: Sweeteners like sugar, artificial sweeteners, or flavored syrups can be added to enhance the taste.
- Ice Options: Can be served with regular ice cubes or crushed ice for a different texture.
Iced Coffee in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular coffee at Dunkin' Donuts
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular iced coffee at Starbucks
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular drink at Dunkin Donuts
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular drink at McDonald's
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular item at Dunkin Donuts
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular drink at Starbucks
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108votes
U.S. Coast Guard · Public domainThe Arnold Palmer is a classic Southern drink that is made with iced tea and lemonade. It is named after the famous golfer Arnold Palmer, who was known for his love of the drink.The Arnold Palmer is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink that combines equal parts of iced tea and lemonade. It is named after the professional golfer Arnold Palmer, who was known for enjoying this beverage. The combination of the iced tea's bitterness and the lemonade's sweetness creates a perfectly balanced and thirst-quenching flavor.- Ingredients: Iced tea and lemonade
- Pportion: Equal parts of iced tea and lemonade
- Flavor: Perfectly balanced mix of bitterness and sweetness
- Type: Non-alcoholic beverage
- Origin: United States
Arnold Palmer in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous golfer of all time
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular non-alcoholic drink in Texas
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Steelers fan
Missing your favorite drink?
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Ranking factors for popular drink
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AvailabilityIs the drink readily available and served at Southern restaurants, bars, and events?
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TraditionDoes the drink have a historical and cultural significance to the Southern region?
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IngredientsAre the ingredients typically found or produced in the South?
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TasteDoes the drink have a unique flavor profile that appeals to Southern taste buds?
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PopularityIs the drink widely consumed and recognized as a Southern favorite?
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Southern drink. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or beverage is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1821 views
- 156 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each beverage once every 24 hours. The rank of each beverage is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular southern drink
When it comes to Southern drinks, there is a wide range of options that reflect the region's rich history and culture. From sweet tea to mint juleps, the South is known for its refreshing and flavorful beverages. One of the most popular Southern drinks is undoubtedly sweet tea, which is made by brewing tea with sugar and serving it over ice. Another iconic Southern drink is the mint julep, a cocktail made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and water, often served at horse races and other outdoor events. Other popular Southern drinks include lemonade, Coca-Cola, and various types of fruit punch. No matter what your taste preferences are, the South has a drink that's sure to quench your thirst and leave you feeling refreshed.
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