35 Most Popular Southern United States Beverages

Sweet tea is a staple beverage for many Southerners, featuring a strong brewed tea sweetened with a generous amount of sugar. Often served ice-cold, sweet tea is particularly refreshing on hot days and is frequently decorated with a slice of lemon or mint for added flavor.

The drink is associated with the South in the United States for daily consumption. Interestingly, this beloved Southern classic used to be a luxury drink due to the cost of tea and sugar in the 19th century.

Bourbon is a type of American whiskey in the South of the United States, primarily made from a mash containing at least 51% corn, malt, and rye. The spirit is a favorite in the European world of beverages, aged in charred oak barrels for deep flavors and a characteristic amber color.

Originating in the Southern United States, particularly Kentucky, bourbon provides a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet profile, making it perfect for enjoying neatly or in cocktails. The spirit is often made in Kentucky in the Southern region of the States.

Coca-Cola is an iconic carbonated soft drink in the Southern region of the US that originated in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886. The carbonated drink’s distinct flavor comes from a blend of caramelized sugar, caffeine, and natural flavorings, known as “Merchandise 7X.”

Coca-Cola quickly became popular throughout the United States, especially in the South, where it’s a thing of Southern hospitality. The soft drink is now available at any store and is best enjoyed cold or infused into other mixes.

Moonshine is a high-proof distilled spirit associated with the rural Southern United States, where it was traditionally made illegally. Known for its clear, unaged quality, moonshine is typically crafted from corn mash.

Historically, its production was a covert operation carried out to avoid excise taxes on alcohol during the Prohibition era and even before. Today, moonshine is a commercial product, providing a robust flavor and potent kick.

Dr. Pepper is a beloved soft drink in the United States, especially in the Southern part, created in the 1880s by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas. The carbonated refreshment offers a unique blend of 23 flavors.

The popular soft drink is known for its unique, spicy-sweet flavor profile, which gives it a complex taste. The soft drink pairs well with various traditional Southern foods.

Cheerwine is a unique Southern soft drink with a cherry flavor and deep burgundy color. Originating in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1917, the soft drink is known for its sweet, slightly tart taste and strong carbonation.

Cheerwine is a favorite choice at social gatherings and is used as a mixer in local Southern culinary recipes.

Pepsi Cola, or Pepsi for short, is a favorite soft drink in the South of the United States that boasts a crisp, refreshing taste with a slightly sweeter profile than Coca-Cola.

The mixture quickly became a favorite, created in 1893 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina.

Known for its bold, effervescent character, Pepsi Cola complements a wide range of traditional Southern dishes and snacks for a refreshing meal experience.

Mint Julep is a classic Southern cocktail known for its refreshing combination of mint, bourbon, sugar, and water. This iconic drink is deeply associated with the Southern United States, particularly Kentucky, where it is a traditional staple at the Kentucky Derby.

The cocktail is served chilled in a frosted silver or pewter cup to enhance its cooling effect. For preparation, the cocktail involves muddling mint to combine with the rich flavor of bourbon.

Tennessee whiskey is a premium type of American whiskey in the South that is similar to bourbon but distinguished by its unique charcoal mellowing process known as the Lincoln County Process.

This method involves filtering the distilled whiskey through a thick layer of maple charcoal before aging for a smooth, rich flavor. Tennessee whiskey is favored for its smoothness and subtle notes of caramel, vanilla, and wood, making it a favorite for drinkers in the Southern United States.

The Sazerac cocktail is a New Orleans drink in the Southern States and is renowned as one of the oldest cocktails in the country.

Popped up in the early 19th century, this potent mix is full of influences from French drinking culture, typically featuring rye whiskey or cognac, a sugar cube, and Peychaud’s Bitters, served in a glass coated with absinthe.

The Sazerac is treasured in Southern United States cocktail culture for its complex flavor profile that combines sweet, herbal, and spicy notes, providing a warming, aromatic experience.

Frozen daiquiri is a slushy cocktail variation in the Southern part of the US, combining rum, lime juice, and sugar. This icy drink became a favorite in the Southern United States, particularly in New Orleans, where the hot, humid climate makes any frosty beverage a welcome relief.

Often served in various flavors such as strawberry, mango, and banana, frozen daiquiris offer a cool, sweet, and tangy escape from the heat.

Hurricane is a vibrant cocktail from New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Southern part of the United States. The concoction calls for a combination of rum, passion fruit syrup, lime juice, and a mix of other fruit juices for serving over ice in a glass that resembles a hurricane lantern.

The Hurricane became popular at Pat O’Brien’s bar in the 1940s when rum was plentiful and has since become a crucial part of New Orleans’ festive Mardi Gras celebrations. Its bold, sweet, and fruity flavor makes Hurricane easy to enjoy for newcomers to cocktails.

Southern Comfort is a whiskey-flavored liqueur from the Southern part of the United States in New Orleans, Louisiana. The spirit brings together fruit, spice, and whiskey flavors to produce a smooth, sweet drink used in cocktails.

Though not a whiskey itself, Southern Comfort is often enjoyed in the classic Southern Comfort cocktail, mixed with lime, or used as a base in various other drinks. The liqueur provides a unique, warm, welcoming essence of the South.

Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey cocktail that many Southerners enjoy. The mixture is all about muddling sugar with bitters and water before adding whiskey.

Commonly, the garnishing comes with a twist of citrus rind or a cocktail cherry to elevate the complex taste of sweetness and bitterness of the spirit.

Originating from the early 19th century, the Old Fashioned has maintained its stature as a staple in Southern bars, usually savored during leisurely evenings and social gatherings.

Ale-8-One is a ginger and citrus-flavored soft drink coming from Winchester, Kentucky, in the South of the country. Often referred to simply as “Ale-8,” it is the only soft drink invented in Kentucky that is still in existence.

Known for its crisp, refreshing taste with a hint of spice, Ale-8-One is best enjoyed on its own or used as a mixer in local cocktails to admire its flavor and beautiful pink color.

Big Red is a flavored red soft drink favored by many Southerners, coming from Waco, Texas, in 1937. Known for its deep red color, the soft drink provides a creamy, bubblegum-like taste with hints of citrus and vanilla.

Commonly, the red drink is often enjoyed at barbecues and paired with traditional Southern dishes like brisket or fried chicken, enhancing the meal with its sweet, smooth flavor.

Buttermilk is a tangy, fermented dairy drink traditionally left over from churning butter out of cultured cream. In the Southern United States, buttermilk is a cherished drink for its slightly tangy profile.

Southerners just love the creamy texture and a slight acidity that’s addicting from buttermilk. Often consumed on its own or used in cooking, the dairy product is also valued for its digestive benefits and refreshing taste.

Grapico is a grape-flavored carbonated soft drink that many Southerners favor. First appeared in 1916, the drink has a deep purple color and intensely sweet, fruity flavor.

The grape soda is a beloved beverage in the Southern United States, particularly in Alabama. Ideally, Southerners often chill Grapico for a refreshing profile.

Grapette is a grape-flavored soda enjoyed by Southerners for its vibrant purple color and sweet, intense grape taste.

The soda’s popularity in the South is linked to its regional origins in Arkansas. Commonly, the soda is chilled or poured over ice for serving.

The Alabama Slammer is a cocktail made with amaretto, Southern Comfort, sloe gin, and orange juice. The vibrant alcoholic mix is served in a Collins glass, often over ice, and is sometimes known as a Southern Slammer, offering a sweet profile.

The drink is particularly popular in college environments and was a fixture in bars during the 1980s, notably associated with the Southern United States and the tailgate culture of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team.

Chicory coffee is a unique beverage in the South made by roasting, grinding, and brewing the roots of the chicory plant. The drink has a strong, dark, and slightly bitter flavor, similar to coffee, but naturally caffeine-free.

Chicory coffee became particularly popular in the South of the United States, especially in New Orleans, where it was used as a coffee substitute during historical coffee shortages, such as during the Civil War and the Great Depression.

Interestingly, chicory is usually blended with regular coffee to enhance flavor and reduce caffeine.

Rum is a popular distilled alcoholic beverage enjoyed by Southerners that consists primarily of sugarcane byproducts like molasses or directly from sugarcane juice.

This spirit is closely associated with the Caribbean drinking culture, offering a sweet to dry profile, depending on its distillation and aging processes. In the Southern American context, rum is linked to the colonial era, now serving as a simple alcoholic drink on a rock.

Sassafras tea is a traditional beverage in the Southern United States, mainly extracted by drying and boiling the root bark of the sassafras tree.

The herbal beverage comes with a distinct aroma and flavor, often described as reminiscent of root beer, due to the presence of safrole, which was historically used as a flavoring agent.

Ranch water is a simple cocktail concept favored by the Southern population coming from the state of Texas. The simple water calls for three ingredients, including the iconic Mexican beverage known as tequila with lime juice and Topo Chico sparkling mineral water.

Because of its crisp and hydrating qualities, ranch water is a favorite during the hot summer months in the Southern United States. The use of Topo Chico gives the water a strong carbonation, adding to its refreshing nature.

Milk punch is a traditional cocktail of milk or cream with a spirit like brandy or bourbon, sweetened and spiced with nutmeg or cinnamon. Originating in the South and particularly popular in New Orleans, milk punch can be served cold.

The drink may also be clarified, a process that involves curdling the milk to remove solids for a smooth, clear liquid that retains the creamy flavors. This style of punch is a festive treat for many gatherings of Southerners.

Grasshopper is a creamy, sweet cocktail with a striking green color from crème de menthe. This mint-flavored drink was popularized in the Southern United States, especially in New Orleans, where it is believed to have been invented at Tujague’s bar in 1918.

Typically served chilled and straight up in a cocktail glass, the Grasshopper is a delightful mix of crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream, making it a favored choice for an after-dinner treat.

People often serve Grasshopper in small shot glasses or a much more fancy martini wine glass to fully admire the captivating color.

Salty Dog is a favorable mix enjoyed by people coming from the southern part of the country. It is traditionally made with gin and grapefruit juice and served in a highball glass with a salted rim.

Popular in the Southern United States, this cocktail offers a crisp, refreshing, straightforward, and enjoyable taste.

Gin Fizz is an exotic fizz cocktail enjoyed in the South that has light and refreshing qualities. For a bubbly and slightly sour taste, the frothy mix is made from gin, a favorite drink of the Brits, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.

Shaken with ice and then topped with soda water, it’s typically served straight up in an old-fashioned glass. Originating from New Orleans, the Gin Fizz tends to have a layer of foam that goes above the serving glass.

Rickey is a highball cocktail made from gin or bourbon, freshly squeezed lime juice, and carbonated water, usually served with little to no sugar in the Southern States. The mixture is noted for its refreshing simplicity along with a cooling effect.

The cocktail was originally created with bourbon by Colonel Joe Rickey in Washington, D.C., in the late 19th century and later became famous with gin. People usually present Rickey over ice in a highball glass with a lime garnish.

Sugarcane juice is a common beverage for Southerners, featuring the natural sweet taste of pressed sugarcane stalks. Popular in the Southern part of the country, particularly in regions where sugarcane is cultivated, this sweet beverage is enjoyed fresh and chilled.

Because of its natural sweetness and hydrating properties, sugarcane juice is a popular choice in warm climates.

The Rum Runner is a tropical cocktail favorite in the Southern region of the United States that emerged during the Prohibition era in the United States. Fascinatingly, the mix cleverly masked smuggled rum with various fruit juices and liqueurs to evade detection.

Commonly, Rum Runner incorporates ingredients like rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, and citrus juice for a fruity taste. The cocktail tends to hold a sweet and sour touch, along with a smoky taste of rum.

Lemonade is a popular beverage in the South, made of lemon juice with water and sugar. This refreshing drink is especially favored during the hot summer months for its cooling and thirst-quenching properties.

Often homemade, Southerners prefer chilled lemonade, which can be enhanced with additions like mint or fruit for extra flavor.

Orange juice is a widely consumed drink by Southerners, made by squeezing fresh oranges to extract their liquid. It’s valued for its high vitamin C content and is available in various forms infused with different ingredients.

Orange juice is particularly appreciated for its refreshing and nutritious qualities, making it a staple at breakfast tables and a popular choice for a healthy, energizing drink for Southerners.

Coke with salted peanuts, sometimes known as “farmer’s Coke,” is a snack drink from the Southern United States. The one-of-a-kind creation involves dropping salted peanuts into a bottle or glass of Coca-Cola to accompany the sweet, fizzy drink with a salty profile.

This combination is cherished for its pleasing, sweet flavors and crunchy textures. Surprisingly, the tradition started as a convenient way for workers to enjoy a snack without cleaning their hands.

The Arnold Palmer is a non-alcoholic beverage of iced tea and lemonade popularly enjoyed by Southerners. Named after the famous American golfer Arnold Palmer, who frequently requested this mix, it is loved for its balanced sweet-tart flavor.

The drink, which Palmer preferred as three parts unsweetened tea to one part lemonade, became widely recognized when a woman overheard him ordering it and requested the same, calling it “that Arnold Palmer drink.”