In honor of me turning 30, I’m compiling 30 different top-30 lists on a wide variety of topics ranging from trivial interests of mine to meaningful life moments. Read the introductory post for more background information on my 30 at 30 project. Reminder: there is no scientific rationale for these lists. They were composed by a panel of one—me.
What do you want to drink? It’s such a crucial question. As someone who does not drink coffee or beer, two of America’s favorite beverages, my top answers to that question are unique. Featuring a few childhood classics and a few drinks for those 21 and older, my order of drinks gives you a big gulp’s worth of refreshments to read about. Enjoy this list responsibly!
30. Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Opening the list is a drink that I typically only drink in the worst of times: recovering from being sick, especially after vomiting. I don’t know that Canada Dry wants that as a marketing campaign, but when I’m able to keep down some ginger ale, that provides the first signs that I’m on the trail back to good health.
29. Orange Juice
Speaking of good health, it’s hard to argue with the Vitamin C of orange juice. Admittedly, I don’t drink it as regularly as I probably should, but with the right breakfast, a nice glass of OJ really hits the spot.
28. Mott’s Apple Juice
Their apple sauce is where my true brand loyalty lies. I was more of a juice drinker when I was younger, but apple juice in autumn is always good.
27. Wegmans Food You Feel Good About 50% Sparkling Fruit Juice Beverage, Grape
That’s the official product name. It was surprisingly good tasting, and even though I just had it for the first time this year, it made the cut.
26. Capri Sun Pacific Cooler
Navigating the Capri Sun pouch/straw insertion is one of the biggest obstacles I faced as a child, but it was worth it if it was a Pacific Cooler flavored pouch.
25. Hubert’s Strawberry Lemonade
I didn’t know this brand existed until last year, and if you think they got a boost for having “Hubert” in the name, you’re right. It really is some tasty lemonade, though.
24. Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Lemonade for adults. ‘Nuff said.
23. Kool-Aid Mixed Berry
There are so many different Kool-Aid flavors. Grape deserves an honorable mention, but mixed berry is the only one that made the countdown.
22. Mead/Honey Wine
My sister-in-law introduced this to my wife and I a few years ago. I’m far from a wine connoisseur, but this was an entirely different experience. What’s that? Wine made from honey, you say? Sweet!
21. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Speaking of honey, when Jack Daniel’s introduced their first flavor variation, I was intrigued. I’ve enjoyed Tennessee Honey in a few different cocktails and prefer it mixed with something light and crisp like Sprite, Sierra Mist, or 7 Up.
20. Black Cherry Pop
Generic black cherry is a traditional staple of the Hubert household. There are plenty of varieties out there, and I don’t know that I’ve ever had a bad one.
19. Sprite
My 10-year-old self would be shocked to see Sprite not in the 10-ten. Remember this classic commercial?
While I don’t opt for Sprite as often these days, it still holds a special place in my heart.
18. Vitaminwater (Formula 50)
When I worked at Tungsten Creative Group, one of the perks was a constantly shocked fridge of beverages that included a variety of Vitaminwater flavors. Formula 50 was one of my top choices, second only to…
17. Vitaminwater (XXX)
True story. I never knew why it was called XXX until I looked it up right now. The reason is not nearly as scandelous as the name suggests: The drink’s name “specifically refers to the acai, blueberry, and pomegranate flavors that make up the brand.”
16. Propel Fit Water (grape)
There was a period in my life when I drank Propel almost exclusively after working out. It proved not to be financially the most prudent decision, but the grape flavor certainly earned its way onto this list.
15. Gatorade (original)
The first of an impressive four different Gatorade flavors to make the cut is the one that started it all. The original yellow Gatorade. An all-time classic.
14. Gatorade Frost Riptide Rush (purple)
The Frost brand of Gatorade is very pleasing to my tastebuds. (See numbers ten and five).
13. Cherry Coke
It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to listen to Savage Garden.
Or not. But it is a tasty drink.
12. Dr. Pepper
Often imitated, never duplicated. Dr. Pepper is another one of my all-time favorites.
11. Barq’s Root Beer
There is a lot of competition in the root beer market. Barq’s has bite and my vote.
10. Gatorade Frost Whitewater Splash
The first of two Gatorade flavors to crack the top-10. Unfortunately, Whitewater Splash was discontinued several years ago. When it was around though, my favorite thing to do was to go half-and-half with Whitewater Splash and my favorite Gatorade (see number five).
9. Vodka Cranberry
I don’t have any real brand loyalty here. Before I discovered my alcoholic drink of choice (see number two), vodka cranberry was my top choice, especially during my college years at The Cornerstone.
8. Sunkist
There are plenty of other good orange pop alternatives, but Sunkist is the one that gets top billing from me. Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda. (Matt does too, but he calls it pop).
7. Fire Cider
Years before Fireball became a trendy drink, I was enjoying Fire Cider, my own special adult cocktail, perfect for fall football. The recipe is simply a mix of Fire Water and apple cider. The resulting concoction can be drank chilled, but I actually prefer it heated, making it the only hot beverage on my list. With a name like Fire Cider, it seems like it was meant to be.
6. Mountain Dew
My love of the original Mountain Dew is proven by the fact that I own not one but two different Dew-branded T-shirts.
5. Gatorade Frost Glacier Freeze
You can argue all you want, but this is the best Gatorade flavor, period.
4. Mountain Dew Code Red
Now saved for special treats, there was a time in high school/college when Code Red was a go-to drink for me. When I worked at Giant Eagle, I bought a 20 oz. Code Red on most of my lunch breaks. It still stands at the top of the pop charts for me many years later.
3. Water (especially from my parents’ house)
I’m proud to say that I drink more water at this stage of my life than I ever did before. Whether at home or at school, I consistently carry my water bottle around. I still tend to fall short of the recommended amount of H₂0 intake more frequently than I would like, but I’m making the effort to improve. A special shoutout to my parents, who live in Fairview and have well water. I don’t know what it is, but it’s always been the best tasting water. There’s no need for bottled water when straight from the tap tastes so pure and good.
2. Jack and Coke
My alcoholic drink of choice is a classic combination of two culural icons: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola. When the ratio is right, there is no better adult cocktail I’d rather drink.
1. 2% Milk
Whether this list was compiled at age 10, 20, or today, the answer remains the same. I don’t drink it quite as often as I used to (see number three on the list), but there is always a gallon of 2% milk in the Hubert household. It fills my cereal bowl every morning, and it typically is the last thing I drink with my snack before bed time. Anything less than 2% milk just doesn’t seem worth it. And anything more than 2% is too much.