1

Margarita

Image: Julie Sd

Margarita is a name we all recognize. So much so that it stands out as one of the most popular drinks in America. With roots in Mexican culture, the Margarita is a well-designed drink, blending the strong flavor of tequila with fresh lime juice and triple sec.

With simple ingredients and preparation, this drink is one of the most popular among those looking for a perfect balance of flavors.

2

Martini

Image: Johann Trasch

A classic of classics, the Martini has its rightful place on this list. Not only is it one of the most famous cocktails in the world, but it's also one of Americans' favorites. We understand why: its combination of gin, dry vermouth, and an olive or lemon twist makes it hard to beat.

Born in the 19th century and rising to fame during the Prohibition Era, the Martini proves that simplicity can perfectly go hand in hand with elegance and sophistication.

3

Moscow Mule

Image: Gary Meulemans

The Moscow Mule, created in America in 1940, has since become one of the most beloved cocktails. With a perfect blend of vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice, this drink offers a refreshing taste, perfect for any summer evening.

But that's not all: Its iconic copper mug not only keeps the Moscow Mule always cold but also gives it a unique look!

4

Espresso Martini

Image: Krists Luhaers

Now, let's talk about one of the surprises on the list: the Espresso Martini. Although it has gained popularity in recent years (especially among coffee and cocktail fans), the recipe for this drink has actually been around since the 1980s.

Let's be honest: its formula is genius. It blends extremely popular flavors -vodka and coffee- into one perfect drink. Often meticulously crafted and served in a chic glass, this drink definitely gets all the attention.

5

Old Fashioned

Image: Bon Vivant

The Old Fashioned teaches us that something doesn't have to be new to be on trend. In fact, this is one of the classic American drinks and is already part of the cocktail tradition in our country.

Bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus peel: that's all it took for this cocktail to win the hearts of many Americans and become an icon of our culture.

6

Mojito

Image: Marc Schulte

When summer arrives, there is a drink that becomes one of the stars. We're talking about the famous Mojito, which successfully mixes mint, lime, rum, sugar, and soda water. Delicious, right?

If rum isn't to your liking, you can easily substitute it with other spirits, such as vodka or gin, which makes it a versatile and adaptable option to different contexts and events. In addition, its preparation is very simple, so you don't need to leave your home and go to a bar to enjoy its refreshing taste.

7

Long Island Iced Tea

Image: sangsang pic

Some may be disappointed to learn that the popular Long Island Iced Tea has no tea in it at all. That's right, this cocktail is made with vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sour mix, and a splash of cola. Potent, don't you think?

Perhaps it's its boldness that makes it so popular, as it ranks among the top choices for Americans. But let's be honest: this might not be the best drink if you have to be up early the next morning.

8

Spritz

Image: Miikka Luotio

If the cocktail in the previous entry seemed too much for you, the Spritz might be the perfect choice. As one of the drinks with the lowest alcohol content on the list, the Spritz stands out for its light and refreshing taste.

Plus, its preparation is incredibly simple. All you need is Prosecco, Aperol (sometimes replaced for Campari), and a splash of soda water. And as if all that weren't enough, its characteristic orange tones make it an Instagram-worthy cocktail.

9

Mimosa

Image: Briona Baker

When it comes to brunches, the Mimosa takes the spotlight. It seems to be one of the most popular drinks for celebrating special occasions during the day, thanks to its refreshing, light taste and relatively low alcohol content.

Since it is made with just two ingredients -orange juice and sparkling wine in equal parts- we can all make it at home. Simply mix the ingredients, pour into a tall champagne flute, and you're ready to enjoy!

10

Bloody Mary

Image: Nicole Honchariw

Hand in hand with the Mimosa, the Bloody Mary also stands out as a classic brunch cocktail. Its ingredients -vodka and tomato juice- pair perfectly with the dishes typically served at such gatherings. In addition, different spices, seasonings, and garnishes are often added to its two basic ingredients, making it a versatile drink that can be adapted to different tastes and preferences.

Fun fact: Although it has remained relevant over the years, this cocktail is reported to be most popular among Generation X!

1

Levi Strauss

Image: Eric Prouzet

Although his name will forever be associated with American business pioneers, Levi Strauss was not born in the United States. That's right! The inventor of the iconic blue jeans was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1829. In 1847, he came to America along with his siblings in search of new opportunities, settling in New York. Eventually, he moved to San Francisco, where his famous company would be founded.

2

Irving Berlin

Image: Sandra Grünewald

While he can be considered one of the most American of Americans, Irving Berlin was actually born in Russia. That's right; the legendary composer and lyricist was born in 1888 in what was then the Russian Empire, and his family immigrated to the US when he was just a child. How lucky for us! Can you imagine life without classics like "White Christmas," "God Bless America," and "There's No Business Like Show Business"? Neither can we!

3

Alexander Graham Bell

Image: Carlos Eduardo

Although he became a naturalized US citizen in 1882, Alexander Graham Bell was born in 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He arrived in the United States in 1871, where he worked as a teacher and researcher. It was in America, in 1876, that he made his most famous invention: the telephone.

4

Elizabeth Taylor

Image: Color Crescent

Elizabeth Taylor, our Cleopatra, wasn't born in the United States. As you probably know, she saw the world for the first time in England in 1932 and moved to America in 1939, just before World War II started. But here's an important detail: Her parents were American! So, she was a US citizen from birth; she just happened to be born overseas.

5

Alfred Hitchcock

Image: Usha Kiran

Yes, Alfred Hitchcock was born in England, but we probably wouldn't have had the pleasure of enjoying cinema classics like Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), and The Birds (1963) if he hadn't come to live and work in America. Although he was already a successful director in his home country, Hitchcock decided to come to the United States in 1939, drawn by the promise of Hollywood's growing film industry.

6

Audrey Hepburn

Image: Paige Johnson

Although she became an American citizen in the 1950s and won our hearts on the big screen, the legendary Audrey Hepburn was actually born in 1929 in Brussels, Belgium. In 1945, she settled in England, where she began taking ballet classes and started landing modeling and acting roles. Finally, in 1951, she came to America to star in the Broadway production of Gigi .

7

Isaac Asimov

Image: Phillip Glickman

Science fiction as we know it wouldn't be the same without the incredible work of Isaac Asimov. However, we may never have had the opportunity to enjoy his brilliant writing if his family hadn't immigrated to America. Asimov was born in 1920 in Petrovichi, Russia. His parents decided to move in 1923, just a year after the Soviet Union was established. At only 3 years old, he arrived in the US, and by the age of 8, he was a full American citizen.

8

Charles Chaplin

Image: Mimi Di Cianni

The unforgettable Charlie Chaplin was born in London in 1889. Before he turned 20, he arrived in the US as a young performer with a vaudeville company. Here, he found fame and became a global icon of silent film. Surprisingly, even after living and working here for over 40 years, he never officially became an American citizen, but Americans embraced him wholeheartedly all the same.

9

Albert Einstein

Image: WikiImages

Albert Einstein, one of the most famous scientists in the world, was born in Germany. And he chose to be American! He was born in Ulm, Germany, on March 14, 1879, and later became a US citizen in 1940.

His first trip to America was in 1921, when he came to New York as a renowned scientist. Then, in 1933, he returned for good and accepted a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, where his former house still stands.

10

Joseph Pulitzer

Image: Jorien Loman

Joseph Pulitzer revolutionized the press in America and around the world, but before becoming a renowned US citizen, he lived in Hungary, the place where he was born in 1847. At the age of 17, he left Europe in search of greater opportunities and arrived in the US in 1864. Here, he went on to become a pioneering journalist and newspaper publisher, even giving his name to the prestigious awards honoring excellence in journalism and the arts.

1

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"

Image: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, delivered a phrase in his first inaugural address that would be remembered forever. On March 4, 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, he proclaimed, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," with the aim of inspiring a nation in crisis to embrace courage and hope.

2

"Ask not what your country can do for you…"

Image: Florida Memory

The Cold War, international tensions, and civil rights struggles were shaking the nation when John F. Kennedy delivered his unforgettable inaugural address on January 20, 1961. Calling on Americans to take personal responsibility and contribute actively to the nation, he gave one of the most famous lines in American history: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

3

"Speak softly and carry a big stick…"

Image: Pach Brothers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

F.D. wasn't the only Roosevelt with memorable quotes. Before him, Teddy Roosevelt made his mark, but he was a bit blunter. The 26th president first said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" in a public speech in 1901. With that line, he described his approach to foreign policy, which later became known as "Big Stick diplomacy."

4

"A house divided against itself cannot stand"

Image: Alexander Gardner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Abraham Lincoln gave us iconic words even before becoming president. In 1858, while accepting the Illinois Republican Party's nomination for the US Senate, he declared, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." The Civil War had not yet begun, but the nation was already deeply divided. This powerful line helped elevate Lincoln's reputation, paving the way for his election as president in 1860.

5

"We choose to go to the Moon"

Image: NASA

As expected, John F. Kennedy appears more than once on this list. This time, with a phrase that would kick off one of the greatest achievements in US and human history: the moon landing. During a speech at Rice University on September 12, 1962, in Houston, Texas, he said: "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." And history proved him right.

6

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Image: Michael Evans, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Ronald Reagan also gave the world memorable quotes, including this famous one addressed to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during a speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin on June 12, 1987. Two years later, the Berlin Wall was brought down by the citizens themselves.

7

"The buck stops here"

Image: Greta Kempton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Displayed in his office, Harry S. Truman had the phrase: "The buck stops here." After assuming the presidency following Franklin D. Roosevelt's death, Truman had to face critical decisions at the end of World War II. The famous line reflected his belief in taking personal responsibility for decisions rather than shifting blame.

8

"Liberty, when it begins to take root…"

Image: Jon Sailer

Washington shared this idea in 1785 in a letter to Alexander Hamilton, shortly after the end of the American Revolutionary War. In it, he clearly expressed his vision for the young nation, whose principles would be rooted in the power of liberty and freedom.

9

"If your actions inspire others to dream more…"

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John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, gave us one of the most inspiring quotes: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are a leader." Thus, he defined leadership as a moral responsibility, one that motivates and uplifts others.

10

"Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected"

Image: Gilbert Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In his 1796 Farewell Address, George Washington captured the guiding principles of his presidency with this phrase. For the first US president, fulfilling moral duties and, above all, acting with integrity were inseparable from true happiness.