The margarita is the most popular cocktail of the year again.

When it comes to their favorite cocktails, drinkers in the U.S. are wasting away in Margaritaville.

The margarita was the best-selling cocktail of 2023, according to exclusive data from NielsenQ (NIQ). This isn’t a surprise, as the tequila-powered frozen (or shaken) concoction that helps us hang on has been the most popular cocktail in the U.S. since 2015, the first year NIQ began tracking this category.

The best-selling cocktails were determined based on data compiled from a representative sample of more than 10,000 restaurants and bars. “It is balanced with approximately 50% independent outlets and 50% chain outlets; 75% of which are dining-centric and 25% drinking-centric,” Andrew Hummel, the director of BevAl Vertical NIQ, told me via email.

Other cocktails in the top 10 for 2023 include classics such as the martini, mojito, old fashioned and Long Island iced tea, as well as the espresso martini, the current “it” cocktail. Another best-selling mixed drink, the spritz, saw the biggest increase in popularity year-over-year.

“The average (median) cocktail price rose to $13 in 2023 up from $12 in 2022,” Hummel noted, but despite that, the quantity of cocktail purchases was up 6% in the final three months of 2023 compared to 2022.

Here is a rundown of the best-selling cocktails in the fourth quarter of 2023. This gives the closest approximation of what drinkers are currently looking for, but there are some seasonal variations inspired by warm-weather drinking habits to consider. For instance, last summer, the mojito occupied the third instead of sixth slot in the ranking, and the Piña Colada was the 10th best-seller before being unseated by the Bellini once the weather cooled.

Alcoholic Lime Margarita with Tequila and Sea Salt

Jimmy Buffett can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this iconic cocktail still holds a special place in the hearts of Americans. Nonetheless, the surge in popularity of both tequila and mezcal indicates that this drink’s fame is far from waning.

Simple yet classic, the Martini has not lost any of its allure.

While the identity of the next James Bond remains a mystery, the absence of the iconic actor from the big screen has not affected the sales of Bond’s preferred drink. It is worth noting that making a martini with vodka instead of gin and shaking it is not the approved method of making a martini—at least according to most connoisseurs.

The Moscow Mule maintains its status as a crowd-pleaser amongst drinkers.

The Moscow Mule’s appealing mix of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice helped make vodka the most popular spirit in the U.S., so I’m always happy to see it continue to get some love.

The Espresso Martini is having a moment.

Espresso martini mania has not yet peaked. In 2023, it remained one of the most popular cocktails and also had some of the most significant increases in popularity, rising to occupy this impressive fourth spot in the cocktail rankings.

The Old Fashioned’s popularity isn’t growing old soon.

Call me old fashioned but it’s hard to beat this blend of whiskey, sugar and bitters. Whether you opt for bourbon or rye is up to your taste, and the old fashioned offers countless alterations.

The mojito never fails to impress and was one of the most beloved cocktails of the previous year.

Cuba’s traditional cocktail is favoured throughout the year but certainly sees a surge in demand during the warmer months in the U.S., as consumers are attracted to its refreshing quality.

If you desire a substantial amount of liquor in a short timespan, The Long Island Iced Tea is the pick for you.

The Long Island Iced Tea, though having ingredients like vodka, gin, rum and gin that may seem like a hangover in the making, continues to be an ever-present favorite.

Beyond the popular Aperol Spritz, the Spritz category expands further.

The Aperol spritz has its detractors, but they played a crucial role in introducing U.S. drinkers to the broader Spritz category. This category usually comprises an Amaro-like liqueur blended with sparking wine and soda water. This fresh entrant in the top 10 cocktail list is fast climbing the ladder. By 2024, expect these drinks to be even more ubiquitous.

In daytime drinking, the mimosa cocktail is the unofficial frontrunner.

You can’t spell “brunch” without mimosa—well, technically you can, but you get what I mean. This mix of orange juice and sparkling wine is the ruler of all drinking that takes place before noon.

Bellini is the peach-powered brunch alternative to a mimosa.

To make the second-most popular brunch or breakfast cocktail in the U.S., simply replace the orange juice with peach puree. You can also replace the words “orange juice” with “peach puree” in the previous entry and the statement still works, more or less.