Booze news: Your drink order may reveal a lot about your personality

NEW YORK — The next time you get a chance to order a strawberry daiquiri out in public, don’t worry about what the bartender might think. According to new study, people who prefer fruity drinks are more fun.

In an effort to explore the various stereotypes surrounding the different alcoholic beverages people enjoy, a survey asked 2,000 Americans of legal drinking age to weigh in on their own go-to drink order. Researchers find fruity drink fans are most likely to describe their personalities as “fun” (54%) rather than “serious” (33%) and “carefree” (48%) rather than “driven” (36%).

Among all respondents — and especially among cocktail drinkers (54%) — “fruity” tops the list as the most popular flavor profile (38%), even more than “sweet” (18%). Women are also more likely to prefer fruity drinks (44%) than men (31%) — who typically cite neutral flavors as their favorite (35%).

On the other side of the spectrum, those who prefer spicy drinks (5%) are well aware of how rare they are in comparison. They frequently consider themselves as the “black sheep” (27%) of their group.

Does your drink of choice inform your personality?

drinks personalityConducted by OnePoll on behalf of carbonated mixer brand Fever-Tree, the survey also concludes that almost six out of every ten 10 people (55%) believe their drink of choice “says a lot” about what kind of person they are.

Beer (25%) led the list of go-to drink categories, with wine (23%) and mixed drinks (23%) following closely behind. While at home, respondents’ drink preferences stay fairly similar, but more people prefer a drink that takes no effort (29%) or only needs a single mixer (29%) in comparison to a multi-step cocktail recipe.

“Some of the world’s most beloved and iconic cocktails, like the Gin & Tonic and the Moscow Mule, require really just two ingredients: a spirit and a mixer, plus a garnish,” says Fever-Tree Marketing Director Amanda Stackman in a statement. “These timeless drinks offer flavor complexity without being complicated to prepare. With high-quality ingredients. a great drink is all but guaranteed without any stress or fuss.”

Half of all drinkers — as well as 49 percent of beer drinkers — also feel “embarrassed” to order their drink of choice in public. Only 18 percent of cocktail drinkers and 13 percent of mixed drink enthusiasts said the same. Although respondents said they’ve been ordering their go-to drink for five years on average, 40 percent note that their preferences have changed during the pandemic.

Mixing it up during COVID-19

In particular, 47 percent of wine and 50 percent of beer drinkers said that they’re now more adventurous with their taste in drinks than they were at the beginning of the health crisis.

drinks personality“Home bartending was gaining popularity prior to the pandemic, but the lockdowns accelerated the trend as consumers have been largely home-bound without access to their favorite bars and restaurants,” Stackman adds. “Home bartenders have become more ambitious with the recipes they prepare and enthusiastic about how they build a cocktail. It has become a moment of indulgence, a way to socialize and, most of all, a way to experiment with new flavors, ingredients and techniques in the comfort of their homes.”

Color also has an impact on the beverage choices people make as well. Twice as many survey-takers (58%) said they prefer traditionally light-colored drinks like vodka or white wine in comparison to dark ones like bourbon or stout beers (26%).

Those who prefer light-colored alcohols are most likely to describe themselves as “introverted” (61%) and “relaxed” (60%). Meanwhile, dark alcohol drinkers are more likely to identify as “logical” (46%) and “driven” (40%).

Regardless of whatever they ask for, most ultimately seem satisfied enough with their drink of choice. More than four in five (82%) said the bartender’s opinion of their order has no effect on what they get. Even more people (87%) don’t consider their friends’ opinions either. Another 60 percent agree that their go-to drink is “awesome” and that more people should be ordering it.

Finally, even though a third of respondents describe themselves as sober, sober-curious, or only occasional drinkers, their tastes for non-alcoholic beverages aren’t all that different. Fruity (32%), neutral (30%), and sweet (28%) still come out on top even if there’s no booze in the drink.

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