A drink is any liquid meant for consumption intended for human drinking. In addition to their primary function of satisfying thirst, beverages also play important symbolic roles in contemporary society. Most commonly available beverages share commonalities in their ingredients and in their consumption. Common varieties of drink are water, tea, coffee and soda. Historically, warm beverages such as hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate have always been offered to guests. Water has always ranked as the most accessible option for all forms of drink.

A drink can be simple or complex. Simple drinks, such as soda and pop, appeal to the widest variety of consumers. On the other hand, complex beverages such as wine and beer require more conscious selection and planning. This is why many beverage business owners choose to focus on one or two basic beverage categories.

The vast majority of beverages sold contain a combination of carbonated, caffeinated, de-caffeinated and alcohol components. For example, both soda and lemonade are combinations of carbonated, caffeinated, and non-caffeinated ingredients. Non-alcoholic drinks, such as tonic water and non-fizzy juices also contain carbonated, caffeinated and non-caffeinated ingredients. The key to successful beverage marketing is selecting the right combination of ingredients that appeal to as many consumers as possible. While some basic combinations remain unchanged, the more complex the beverage, the more competition there will be for market share.

There are two main categories of drink that have emerged in recent years. These categories include caffeine free and sugar-free drinks. Both of these categories enjoy tremendous success, but the success of the sugar free drink far exceeds that of the sugar-free drink. This is due to the unique taste of the product.

In addition to the two types of products above, there are a number of sub-categories of energy drinks. The two types most commonly seen in stores and groceries are sports energy drinks and energy drink teas. There are also fruit-based energy drinks, and water based sports drinks. Many of these products have no identifiable taste, but consumers have been known to react negatively to some of these products.

The United States has had a long standing history with alcoholic beverage sales. Since the Second World War, the states have attempted to reduce excessive alcohol consumption through various restrictions and taxes. Many states also monitor and regulate the amount of alcohol that an individual may purchase or consume during their legal drinking age. Each state is allowed to determine its own limitations and regulations. Some states have specific restrictions on the type of alcoholic beverages that a business may sell, while other states have no restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages at all.