Hotels.com Sip Statistics identifies the most-popular types of drinks in cities across the U.S.
As the summer winds down and the days start to get shorter, Hotels.com?, the hotel experts, and T.G.I. Friday?s, America?s most iconic bar and grill, have teamed up to help end-of-summer travelers tap into the local culture with some of the most popular local summer cocktails. The new Hotels.com? Sip Statistics? identifies the most-popular drinks in some of the top 15 U.S. summer getaway locations so travelers can follow local ?drink-clinations? as they extend summer celebrations into the fall.
?The Sip Statistics is a fun way to discover the drinks that are the favorites of the locals in various vacation destinations across the nation,? said Taylor L. Cole, director of public relations and social media for Hotels.com in North America. ?Friday?s? has even provided their summer drink recipes so travelers can enjoy their favorite summer flavors ? no matter where they are or what time of year it is.?
?This summer, our guests have come into our bars all over the world ? whether in their hometowns or in their travels – to beat the heat and enjoy scratch made drinks with fresh, seasonal ingredients,? said Matt Durbin, vice president of beverage and bar for T.G.I. Friday?s. ?No matter where they travel as the summer winds down, we invite guests to come in, cool off and enjoy our great corner bar vibe while sipping local cocktail favorites mixed and muddled to perfection by the best bartenders in the business.?
Long Island Iced Tea ? New York City
Hotels.com Sip Statistics evaluates four classic summer drink categories ? Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, Mojito and Tropical ? and ranks the most popular drink category by city. Overwhelmingly, the most popular drink in nearly every market is Friday?s very own creation and global sensation, the Long Island Iced Tea.
There?s no better way for travelers to enjoy this classic concoction than by visiting Friday?s in New York City, where the restaurant was born and where more cocktails are ordered than in any other market. Visitors can take in the city?s sights and sounds during the day and in the evenings feel the energy and vibe of the night at Friday?s bar with the latest twist on this classic cocktail, the Blackberry Long Island Tea.
Mojito ? Chicago, Miami & Denver
The second most popular summer drink is the Mojito, which is favored in markets such as Chicago, Denver and Miami. Travelers can relax at Lake Michigan in Chicago, dance the summer nights away in Miami or spend the day exploring Larimer Square or Coors Field in Denver, all while sipping on a refreshing, sweet and minty Fresh Watermelon Mojito at Friday?s.
Margarita ? Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio
To drink like the locals in Texas, travelers can?t go wrong by ordering a Margarita, and if they?re bold enough, they can indulge in the sweet heat of chipotle and pineapple with Friday?s new take on the classic margarita, the Tiki Torch. Austin, Texas is the only city where the Margarita beat out the Long Island Iced Tea as the number one drink. Out of the six cities where Margarita is the number two drink, three of them are in Texas, including Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. This should come as no surprise, since the first frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas in 1971.
Tropical ? Orlando & Philadelphia
Tropical drinks were the third most popular, behind Long Island Iced Tea drinks and Mojitos in cities such as Orlando and Philadelphia. Adventurous vacationers in these cities can try out the pirate?s life by voyaging through the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Orlando, or step back in time at the Liberty Bell or Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. After a full day of exploring, travelers can close the night with scrumptious rum cocktails like the Strawberry Rum Smash, Friday?s new take on the pirate?s drink of choice.
Extend Your Summer
Now sun worshipers can have the feeling of summer year-round by mixing a few of Friday?s unique summer cocktails right at home. And, great summer travel deals are still available through the Hotels.com Labor Day Sale to squeeze in some more summer fun before the season ends.
To book, visit www.hotels.com, call 1-800-2-hotels, use the Hotels.com mobile apps, or find tailored deals through the Hotels.com Deals Facebook app. Other news, images and infographics are available in the Hotels.com media room: http://press.hotels.com/en-us/.
Travelers can also stay in-the-know using Friday?s Mobile App for iPhone and Android, which provides updates about happy hours, special drinks and menu promotions as well as the latest happenings at local Friday?s restaurants. The app also gives Friday?s guests the ability easily find the closest Friday?s restaurant and quickly pay the tab directly from their phones when ready to call it a night or run to catch a flight.
For more news and updates from T.G.I. Friday?s, guests can follow the brand on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TGIFridays), Twitter @TGIFridays and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/tgifridays).