YouGov BrandIndex publishes an annual ranking that shows which brands US adults would consider purchasing the next time they are in the market for a beverage. The 2026 U.S. beverage rankings find Lipton (ready-to-drink) the top tea brand on the list while Starbucks (ready-to-drink) is the top coffee brand.

YouGov BrandIndex data also shows how leading beverage brands compare on perceptions of value and quality, with cross-category consideration scores intended as a broader indication of brand strength rather than a direct head-to-head comparison.

In terms of overall beverage ‘consideration’, Gatorade leads at 41%, more than five points ahead of Coca-Cola (35.6%). Lipton ranks first among coffee, juice and tea brands, with 32.3% consideration, followed by Starbucks (28.6%) and Tropicana (orange juice, 28.2%).

YouGov BrandIndex Top 10 Coffee Juice and Tea Brands-by-consideration

In terms of the leading CPG coffee, tea and juice brands, Lipton, Starbucks, Arizona Iced Tea, Dunkin’, and Folgers all fall within the top ten. (Dunkin’ and Starbucks data are based on the CPG products that the brands sell in stores, not their own retail locations.)

Dasani (water) records the biggest year-over-year increase in consideration, rising 3.8 points from 15.8% to 19.6%. Starbucks follows with a 3.5-point gain (25.1% to 28.6%).

Lipton ranks second on perceptions of both value and quality, with a value score of 32.5 and a quality score of 40.8.

However, according to YouGov, high consideration does not always translate into strong value perceptions. Starbucks ranks fourth overall on consideration but records a net value score of -15.1 and is outside the top 25 beverage brands on quality perception.

“Beverage brands compete across very different occasions and consumer needs, so strength in this market is about more than simply being well known,” said Nora Hao, senior director at YouGov. “Gatorade stands out for combining broad purchase consideration with strong perceptions of value and quality, while Dasani and Starbucks demonstrate that even established brands can continue to gain ground with consumers.”

YouGov BrandIndex data was collected from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026. The year-over-year improvers table compares the current period with 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025. The subsector rankings are based on survey responses from US adults. Minimum bases are n> 21,700 for carbonated soft drinks, n> 16,490 for coffee, juice and tea, n> 23,360 for energy and hydration, and n> 22,760 for water.

To see the full 2026 YouGov US beverage rankings or to understand the methodology, click here.