Hot Chocolate Tops 2025 Holiday Drink Trends Across America
As the 2025 holiday lights twinkle and carols fill the air, hot chocolate emerges as America’s merry favorite, topping Google searches in 13 states and spreading cozy cheer across the festive season, according to a joyful analysis of drinking trends by coffee aficionados.
The merry minds at Coffeeness delved into 12 months of Google Trends data, spotlighting patterns from last Christmas to forecast this year’s jolly sips. Search spikes kick off in early December, building excitement right through to New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Tied for a sparkling second, apple cider and espresso martini each claim 11 states, bringing warmth and buzz to holiday gatherings. The espresso martini—shaken with vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso—adds a lively kick to the party.
Elegant contenders like the French 75, bubbling with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne, and the amaretto sour, mixing amaretto liqueur, lemon juice, and optional bourbon, each delight in four states.
Rounding out the fun, mimosa and brown sugar shaken espresso shine in two states each, while hot toddy, bellini, and Winter Aperol Spritz each bring unique joy to one state.
These preferences sprinkle hints of weather and tradition: hot chocolate warms hearts in frosty northern spots, cocktails dazzle on sunny coasts, and apple cider toasts to harvest heritage in growing strongholds like Virginia, Idaho, North Carolina, and Oregon.
Hot chocolate, adorned with fluffy marshmallows, whipped cream, or candy cane swirls, captures the essence of winter wonder. Its velvety evolution dates to 1828, thanks to Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Houten’s cocoa press and “Dutching” process for that smooth holiday hug.
Apple cider, steaming with cinnamon, cloves, or star anise—and perhaps berries, citrus, or brown sugar — evokes colonial cheer, when settlers savored it more than water in the 18th century for its safe, spirited appeal.
The espresso martini, created in 1980s London by Dick Bradsell as “Vodka Espresso,” skips vermouth but delivers a festive fusion of java jolt and cocktail glee.
Named for a World War I French cannon’s punch, the French 75 sparkles with sophistication, perfect for toasting holiday magic.
The amaretto sour, drawing from 16th-century Italian roots, hit its stride in the 1970s with sweet-tart charm that lights up any yuletide bash.
In coffee-loving California and Florida, brown sugar shaken espresso brews up delight. Arizona and Hawaii brunch with sunny mimosas. Minnesota bundles up with hot-toddies warmth, Tennessee chills with a Winter Aperol Spritz, and Texas rings in bellini elegance — proving America’s holiday cups overflow with diverse, delightful surprises.
“The espresso martini’s performance in this year’s data represents one of the most significant shifts in American festive drinking culture we’ve seen in recent years,” said Arne Preuss, CEO. “Having seen a revival in popularity just a few years ago, it’s now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with beverages that have defined American holidays for generations.”
By comparing relative search scores from 0 to 100 across a merry mix of classics and moderns, the study reveals the true seasonal spirit amid timeless favorites and trendy twists.
Founded in 2008 by Preuss, Coffeeness brews up reviews of espresso machines, grinders, and more to help java lovers find their perfect holiday brew.
Here’s the state-by-state favorites: