Hunt said: "I heard Ingrid's music a while back and knew right away she was a very talented singer and songwriter, I met her not long ago at a Nashville Sports League kickball game and I really enjoyed getting to know her a little bit.

Lauren Jo Black of Country Now described the song as "a story of a couple who is trying to move past a breakup and find themselves thinking of one another when they drink".

[2] Rolling Stone's Jon Freeman stated that "Wishful Drinking" has a "sleek, R&B-flavored production" containing "hints of Dobro and acoustic guitar".

[3] Luana Harumi of V Magazine wrote that the song "is a moving country-pop ballad that perfectly combines Andress's soft pitch and Sam Hunt's husky vocals".

The video features "vintage-inspired fashion and '70s glam"[6] and showcases Andress and Hunt "performing the song from across the room before getting up to sing on a small stage in the bar".