Chocolate Reclaims Top Spot as America’s Favorite Flavor

Chocolate remains a versatile and enduring favorite in American food culture, appearing in classic drinks, baked goods and specialty tastings. The chocolate milkshake evolved from an 1880s eggnog-style alcoholic tonic into the familiar ice cream-based soda-fountain drink popularized by Walgreens in 1922, while chocolate recently reclaimed the top spot as Americans’ favorite ice cream flavor. In baking, chocolate babka gets its signature swirls from a simple cut-and-braid method, with extra chopped chocolate intensifying the filling and a post-baking sugar glaze adding shine and moisture. Chocolate also features prominently in wine-pairing events, including tastings that match different chocolates with Italian wines.