Grubhub’s top alcoholic drink of 2022: what customers ordered most

Delivery orders from January through November 2022 reveal a reshuffle in Americans’ at-home drinking choices — and the change matters for restaurants, retailers and delivery platforms preparing for the year ahead. Grubhub’s year-end report shows beer returned as the most-requested alcoholic item, displacing last year’s wine-dominant pattern and pointing to shifting consumer habits around convenience and occasion.

Grubhub’s Delivered 2022: the top drinks

Grubhub compiled its rankings from tens of millions of transactions placed on the platform over the first eleven months of the year. The list highlights which beverages customers paired with takeout and which were prioritized for late-night or quick delivery.

• Beer — the most-ordered alcoholic beverage on Grubhub in 2022
• Margarita — the top cocktail choice, holding second place
• Hot sake — a surprising rise into the top three
• Piña colada — a top-four tropical pick
• Sauvignon Blanc — the leading white wine and fifth overall

These rankings reflect the platform’s delivery mix rather than total national consumption; still, they offer a useful snapshot of what consumers are ordering to accompany restaurant meals and home gatherings.

From red to draft: what changed

In 2021, red wine topped delivery tallies on many services. This year, however, that dominance eased: red wine failed to crack Grubhub’s top five, while beer reclaimed the lead. The shift suggests customers increasingly favor familiar, easy-to-serve options when ordering food for home.

For wine lovers, the data offers nuance. Although reds fell from the top spot, white wine — specifically Sauvignon Blanc — remained popular enough to secure a place in the top five, indicating continued demand for wine with takeout meals.

Coctail corners and comeback stories

Beyond delivery tallies, broader industry trackers reported renewed interest in stirred and classic cocktails this year. Coverage from trade outlets noted a resurgence of the martini, with other spirits-forward drinks like the old fashioned and negroni also registering strong consumption in 2022.

That pattern — classic cocktails enjoying renewed attention while beer leads delivery orders — underscores a split between what people drink out at bars and what they choose to receive with food at home.

Why this matters going into 2023

For restaurants and delivery services, these trends have practical implications: stocking, menu descriptions, and promotions can be adjusted to reflect what customers are actually ordering. Retailers and distributors may also shift inventory priorities ahead of major holidays and sporting events.

• Restaurants: consider pairing menus with popular delivery drinks and simplifying packaging for canned or bottled cocktails.
• Delivery platforms: optimize search and category labels for top-requested items like beer and ready-to-serve cocktails.
• Retailers: monitor seasonal demand spikes for crowd-pleasing formats — cans, single-serve cocktails, and familiar wine varietals.

Grubhub’s report captures orders placed through its platform and does not represent all U.S. beverage sales. Still, as consumer behavior continues to evolve, these delivery-driven insights offer a timely look at how Americans prefer to drink when eating in — and what businesses should be ready to supply in the months ahead.