Survey: Margarita the U.S. adult beverage

NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Many U.S. consumers, despite the sluggish economy, seek a more sophisticated experience when eating out and when ordering adult beverages, a survey indicates.

The Cheers On-Premise BARometer Handbook, published by The Beverage Information Group, said a bar manager's survey found the Margarita remains the most popular mixed drink nationwide, although decreasing slightly in share.

The Martini and Rum and Coke take second and third spots, respectively, while the Cosmopolitan cracked the top five this year, the survey said.

Absolut vodka narrowly beat out Grey Goose as the leading call for a brand in 2011, while chardonnay is still the best-selling wine because consumers find it easy to order and drink, but Merlot was more popular in hotels and clubs, the publication said.

Corona edged out Heineken as the best-selling imported beer, while Sam Adams continued as the most popular craft beer, the survey found.

The Cheers On-Premise BARometer Handbook provides alcohol beverage trends. The 2011 edition is an abbreviated edition focusing on the bar manager's survey which examines the observations of bartenders and bar managers at on-premise venues in major metropolitan markets.