Drinks
Between
By Lauren Sabetta | Managing Editor
Americans love their tequila
Written by Chuck Rio and recorded by the Champs, the Latin-inspired surf instrumental “Tequila” served as the B-side for “Train to Nowhere,” which was released by Challenge Records on Jan. 15, 1958. Although the record initially found little success, after a DJ in Cleveland played the B-side, the instrumental tune — that includes the spoken word “Tequila” three times — reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart on March 28, 1958, and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.
As many still consider tequila to be more of a vibe than just a drink, retail company Fashion Nova recently dove into finding out consumers’ tequila habits and preferences, surveying more than 3,000 Americans across all 50 states.
Among key takeaways from the Fashion Nova survey:
- 4 in 10 Americans say tequila makes them feel more confident
- Americans say they are likely to feel more comfortable in public (65%), speak their mind (44%), and dance in public (35%) when tequila is in their system
- 41% of Americans would choose a lifetime supply of tequila over a lifetime supply of coffee
- 37% of Americans would rather have a lifetime supply of tequila rather than have their credit card bill fully paid off
Tequila tastes and trends
When it comes to which brands are preferred across the country, 33 states declared Patron as their go-to tequila, while 11 opted for the classic charm of Jose Cuervo, according to the survey. But how are Americans actually sipping or shooting that tequila?
According to Fashion Nova, the overwhelming majority — 38 states — prefer to sip their tequila in a cocktail. “We’re talking Margaritas, tequila sunrises and everything in between,” the company says.
As far as tequila types, according to those surveyed, Blanco, or silver tequila is the reigning champ, capturing 41% of American taste buds. Reposado, or aged tequila is next in line at 20%, followed by gold tequila at 14%.
How about cocktail flavor?
Most Americans (39%) prefer tequila cocktails on the sweeter side, according to Fashion Nova. About a quarter of those surveyed are neutral, opting for neither too sweet nor too spicy, while 23% are turning up the heat with slightly spicy concoctions, the company says.
When it comes to taking shots, lime and salt lead the pack at 44%. For those going solo, it’s more likely to be with just lime (22%) or straight-up tequila (19%), according to the survey. Meanwhile, about 39% prefer to sip — or shoot — tequila in the comfort of their own space. Bars are a close second at 37%.
Nevertheless, when it comes to spending a night on the town, 59% of Americans have one to three tequila drinks, with 29% stopping at just two, according to Fashion Nova.
“But watch out; 41% of us are going for four or more,” the company says. “When that tequila hits, you’re not just getting a buzz — you’re getting a whole vibe. According to our data, 58% of you report feeling all sorts of giggly, 48% get super chatty, and 45% start oozing confidence and outgoing energy.”
(Image courtesy of Getty Images)
Tequila spending trends
For those investing or shelling out for all that tequila goodness, Americans seem to have their wallets open.
Although 50% find that the sweet spot for a tequila bottle sits between $25 and $40, some consumers are big spenders — 26% of Americans spend $100 or more on tequila every month, according to Fashion Nova.
Whether it's the type of tequila, the cocktails, shots or even how it makes drinkers feel, one thing seems clear — tequila is more than just a drink; it’s a culture, a mood and a lifestyle for many Americans. BI
Jones Soda Co. entered the pet category with the launch of Jones Craft Dog Soda. Uniquely formulated for canines in collaboration with veterinarians and dog owners, new Jones Craft Dog Soda combines all-natural human-grade ingredients in flavors that dogs love — including functional supplements to provide dogs with a wholesome boost to help support and maintain optimal joint health, the company says. The initial product range first launched exclusively at Chewy and jonessoda.com in November 2023, with additional retailers to follow this year. The flavors include Chicken and Beef products that are non-carbonated and contain no sodium or sweeteners of any kind, the company notes. And while the flavors are specially formulated for pups, adventurous dog owners are dared to drink it too, it says. Just like Jones Soda (for people), Jones Craft Dog Soda features consumer-submitted (pet-themed) photos and future bottlings also will feature photos of adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes. As part of Jones’ popular Caps for Gear loyalty program, consumers also are encouraged to collect and save Jones Craft Dog Soda bottle caps for redemption of prizes, including Jones-branded dog toys, leashes and dog bowls, it says.
The tea industry is outperforming coffee in several key areas related to environmental impact, labor practices and smallholder livelihoods.
According to a recent sustainability report from Firsd Tea, 75% of industry experts surveyed view the tea sector as performing “very well or somewhat well” in reducing environmental impact compared with other beverage categories. Additionally, 64% said the tea industry was ahead in workers’ rights and 66% said it was improving smallholder farmer livelihoods, the company says.
The report contains several other notable findings, including:
- 75% remain concerned about climate change’s effects on business operations
- 95% see tea as the most climate-sensitive industry
- 88% say organic certification is the sustainability standard most important to consumers
“This year’s report builds on similar findings from Firsd Tea’s inaugural 2022 study,” the company states. “However, this time, 36% of respondents were from the coffee sector — up from just 19% last year. Despite the increased coffee representation, tea was still seen as taking the lead across multiple sustainability metrics.”
‘That’s cold’
Multifaceted pop culture icon, reality TV star, hotel heiress and Chihuahua mom, Paris Hilton, added another title to her many accolades — Grey Goose Creative Director of Martinis.For her first order of business, Hilton starred in a new video in which she flexes her martini-making skills and learns to embrace a new “that’s cold” tagline instead of her classic “hotter” version. The tongue-in-cheek ad is based on the recent trend of brands appointing celebrities as creative directors — despite having no real experience for the role, the company says. “Because the Grey Goose Classic Martini Cocktail is already batched, and you only need to shake or stir and then garnish it, we thought it would be fun to wink at the trend by playfully appointing a ‘creative director’ for a product that delivers a perfect martini every time,” said Aleco Azqueta, vice president of marketing for Grey Goose, in a statement. Launched last year, the national campaign, produced by RadicalMedia and directed by Nina Meredith, runs across Grey Goose and Hilton’s social channels.
Pepsi and Shaquille O’Neal reunited to unveil a brand-new commercial that highlights Pepsi Mini Cans as ideal for pairing with snack and mealtime occasions. In the new spot, Shaq wishes he was “a little bit smaller” when faced with the everyday perils of his larger-than-life size, to celebrate that Pepsi Mini Cans are always the right size.The spot ― titled “I Wish” ― shows Shaq in various environments where a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t exactly work: from sitting comfortably in airplanes, to fitting in a bed properly without his feet hanging off, or just casually walking through doorways. The spot’s emotion and humor are heightened thanks to a cameo appearance from Skee-Lo, who lays down updated lyrics to parody his 1995 hip-hop hit, “I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller.” Drawing inspiration from past Pepsi and Shaq work, the amusing juxtaposition of a larger-than-life Shaq lamenting life’s smaller situations doesn’t stop him from showing love to Pepsi Mini Cans — proving that despite their small stature, Pepsi Minis are just right for any occasion, the company says. “As a longtime partner of the brand, I always have a great time working with Pepsi. It was incredibly fun to create the ‘I Wish’ commercial, showing how things could be better if I were indeed a little bit smaller,” O’Neal said in a statement. “With Pepsi Mini Cans, I can enjoy every sip and appreciate the little things in life.”
Pepsi and Shaq together again