Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Help Me Pick a Cocktail

iLander

iLander

Ideal_Rock
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
6,731
I usually just drink beer in social situations, because I really don't know what else to order.

I'd like to order a cocktail, so I appear a little more grown up (my son is 27, so you can see I'm a slow starter :bigsmile: ).

I'd like something light, fruity, not a heavy alcohol taste, that I can have 2 of in one night and not get too tipsy. Besides a strawberry daiquiri I mean, which is soooo 1973 hotel lounge. I don't care for mojitos, BTW, I don't want to worry about greenery in my teeth.

What do you suggest?
 
I don't know if this is an adult drink or not, but my favorite mixed drink is an Effen Black with Sprite. Mmmmmm. :lickout:
I always ask for four cherries, please. :))

Effen Cucumber and Sprite is really good, too. It tastes like a spa day to me.
 
Captain Morgan rum (which tastes like coconut, if you like that) and coke or diet coke. If you want to go all out, ask for a lime!
 
Okay, I think I forgot to say, a description of the taste would be helpful. :wavey: :wavey:

Do I want something that tastes like "effen" ? :confused:
 
iLander, what you need is to belly up to the kitchen counter with a friend who has a well stocked bar and try a bunch of things out! Don't get hooked on anything "exotic" that you may not be able to find in most situations or the exercise is kinda useless. Run through the basics... gin and tonic (although I had a bad gin experience when I was 15 and to this day the smell of it will bring me to my knees, so I won't be joining you in that part of the taste test), rum and coke, vodka and cranberry, those sorts of things. They key for you, since you're not a big drinker, is something with a mixer. Tequila shots probably aren't your best choice! Also, if you're drinking something with a mixer, you can always have the first cocktail and then switch to just the mixer and no one will be the wiser. That way you will make it through a long event and still be standing upright at the end!
 
I've shaken (not stirred) your boozy magic 8 ball and it has come up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellini_(cocktail)

ETA: I'll mention that my personal favorite (by a mile) is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caipirinha
But if you don't like Mojitos because of the LIME aspect, it wouldn't be for you. If it's the MINT in Mojitos that turns you off -- YOU WILL LOVE IT. It's basically alcoholic limeade. Goes down super smooth and you won't know what hit you so I'd say the limit of two is good.
 
I am the same way! My fave go-to is an amaretto sour. Tastes sweet and cherry-y. :-) Like a grown-up Shirley Temple. Easy to make and every place makes them!
 
My cocktail of choice is a lemon drop. Tastes like lemonade...yum!
 
Dee*Jay|1352402047|3301302 said:
Captain Morgan rum (which tastes like coconut, if you like that) and coke or diet coke. If you want to go all out, ask for a lime!
Click to expand...
I was gonna say this too, and have them use maybe half the amount of rum to start so you can get acclimated.

Another drink I like that also tastes like lemonade is a Kamikaze, equal parts lemon vodka (like absolut citron or something), triple sec and lime juice over ice. If they use sprite or soda, that's NOT a Kamikaze and ask them to remake it correctly. A lot of places sub the lime juice or triple sec for the sprite to be cheap bastards. I watch them like hawks about it too.
 
ame|1352406615|3301351 said:
Dee*Jay|1352402047|3301302 said:
Captain Morgan rum (which tastes like coconut, if you like that) and coke or diet coke. If you want to go all out, ask for a lime!
Click to expand...
I was gonna say this too, and have them use maybe half the amount of rum to start so you can get acclimated.

Another drink I like that also tastes like lemonade is a Kamikaze, equal parts lemon vodka (like absolut citron or something), triple sec and lime juice over ice. If they use sprite or soda, that's NOT a Kamikaze and ask them to remake it correctly. A lot of places sub the lime juice or triple sec for the sprite to be cheap bastards. I watch them like hawks about it too.
Click to expand...

:D This last part made me smile.

I'll bet after a few of those, the hawk thing? Not so much . . . :lol: :lol:

I tease you . . . :bigsmile:
 
Mostly Im a wino, or a small batch bourbon / single malt kind of guy. But if I had to drink a proper cocktail I'd likely choose a Manhattan, straight up or on rocks. In hot climes I like Campari and soda or tonic. You might try a Pims and tonic too. If you're at a place that does it right with the sugar cube have an Absinthe.
 
Try a Chrysanthemum. White vermouth, absinthe, Benedictine. Orange peel swath garnish is a MUST.

It is herbal, aromatic, but not going to pack a bitter punch like a Campari soda/Negroni.
 
I second the Lemondrop and Kamikaze suggestions. If you want really light on the alcohol, a Sex on the Beach (vodka, peach schnapps, orange and cran juices, plus grenadine) is yummy. For something a bit stronger, try an Alabama Slammer (gin, southern comfort, amaretto, oj).

Hurry up, weekend, I'm thirsty!
 
I rarely drink, only having an occasional glass of wine or beer so when I am in social situations I order "virgin" anything. So instead of a Bloody Mary, I have a Virgin Mary . No one says you have to have alcohol.

Wanted to add that I do this because I do not handle alcohol well.
 
iLander, where do you like to drink? Suggestions are heavily dependent on the type of drinking establishment. Honestly, beer is a safe bet, quality bet. There are very NO bars where I live that serve good cocktails, I would have to go to a fancy restaurant if I wanted something done right.

I was at Chili's on election day, and when I dictated my brandy alexander to the bartendress, she asked the kitchen for "two creamers" (non dairy) :errrr:

I like Cosmopolitans, they are a "real" cocktail, but some places that know very well how to make a good Cosmo think they are too good to serve them.
 
purplesparklies|1352405043|3301328 said:
I am the same way! My fave go-to is an amaretto sour. Tastes sweet and cherry-y. :-) Like a grown-up Shirley Temple. Easy to make and every place makes them!
Click to expand...


ditto this! when I read your request, this is what came to mind... The liquor is a cherry/nut/peachy type flavor, the sour cuts the bite of the amaretto (which is semi-nonexistent and many people casually sip (not alcoholics)), and it comes with a cherry!

other than this, i thought maybe a flavored vodka with cranberry or sprite. If you dont do vodka, there are a lot of flavored rum. If youre concerned with getting too drunk, ordered a single tall so you get twice as much mixer with the same amount of booze.


.... on a side note, what is life like WITHOUT drinking? Sounds depressing... :lol: :lol: :lol: I will crawl back into my alcoholic hole now!!
 
star sparkle|1352406245|3301342 said:
My cocktail of choice is a lemon drop. Tastes like lemonade...yum!
Click to expand...

Yep, Lemon Drop would be my suggestion as well. Is served in a martini glass and looks every elegant! I'm not a fan of hard liquor (prefer Microbrew Beers!), so I'm picky with what I'll order.
 
I love white wine at a party - light enough and you could always (YIKES!!! :shock: ) add some soda to make it into a spritzer. Do it with a sauvignon blanc or chenin - not a chardonnay or vidal.

I love martini's but those are NOT without their back lash! They are pretty hard hitting so I'd avoid those. Cosmo's are nice tho, especially if you can get an extra drop of the cranberry juice in there... and make sure its cointreau or triple sec they add and they don't cheap out on that!!

How about vodka and orange juice (Screwdriver) or a Fuzzy Navel - peach schnapps and orange juice, which is a tad lighter in taste than the vodka combo.

Or pink sparkling wine!!! YUMMY!!! I love that!! My favourite thing to order when I'm out (but I go for sparkling, not champagne - to pricey if you are drinking the french product)
 
JulieN|1352408115|3301383 said:
iLander, where do you like to drink? Suggestions are heavily dependent on the type of drinking establishment. Honestly, beer is a safe bet, quality bet. There are very NO bars where I live that serve good cocktails, I would have to go to a fancy restaurant if I wanted something done right.

I was at Chili's on election day, and when I dictated my brandy alexander to the bartendress, she asked the kitchen for "two creamers" (non dairy) :errrr:

I like Cosmopolitans, they are a "real" cocktail, but some places that know very well how to make a good Cosmo think they are too good to serve them.
Click to expand...


I like these too, but it drives me nuts when they put cherries it it! :sick:

Vodka and cranberry juice is always a nice choice, iLander.
 
Effen is a brand of vodka. The favors are pretty self-evident--Effen black cherry tastes like cherry, Effen cucumber tastes like cucumber.
 
Haven|1352401845|3301300 said:
I don't know if this is an adult drink or not, but my favorite mixed drink is an Effen Black with Sprite. Mmmmmm. :lickout:
I always ask for four cherries, please. :))

Effen Cucumber and Sprite is really good, too. It tastes like a spa day to me.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a fabulous kind of drink, "effen with cuc, take me away!" :bigsmile:
 
:lol: Oh boy, now I know why I always order wine!!!

Deco, I liked your favorite, but I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it!!!

And...Sex on the Beach sounds good, but for some reason I don't think I could get that order out without laughing!
 
I'm not a huge fan of sweet cocktail drinks. If you're used to beer, you can tell if you're buzzed or you're not. If you switch to those sweet cocktails, try drinking a few at home first. Seriously. I don't drink much at all anymore, and I've had problems with those drinks with lots of sugar + alcohol hitting me all at once, like after I go from warm indoors to cold outdoors. If they don't do that, the darned flavors upset my stomach. I believe that one must actually train in order to successfully drink those beverages. :lol: Back when I went to happy hours regularly, I had no problems. But now, forget about it. My mother says the same. She only drinks Scotch on the rocks. I limit myself to two gin and tonics, and sometimes I get lemon in it and sometimes lime.

But I get pretty buzzed after two or three beers, so I am obviously out-of-training now, haha.
 
My fave low-alcohol drinks are a little old fashioned but they hit the spot without throwing you for a loop.

Tom Collins
Pimm's Cup

The latter is hard to find but when it's on the cocktail menu, its a great summer drink.
 
I like sex on the beach or cranberry with vodka. Both are really good and you can add more juice so the alcohol isn't too strong.
 
Zaya rum, straight. do not chill! do not allow to be placed on ice!
great sipping rum with vanilla overtones.
do not use as a mixer in rum and cola! this is pure sipping and enjoyment of vanilla.

Manhattan, light on the vermouth made with Knob Creek bourbon. i know you said you're not into strong alcohol but Knob Creek is "sweeter" supposedly. and you can always ask for more of those cherries.

my go to in hot weather:
1/3 cup san pelligrino aranciato
1/3 cup compari
1/3 cup san pelligrino aranciato
place in the above order into a tall/big beer glass filled 2/3 with ice.
tab a long spoon in a few times to mix.
 
Black Cherry or Pomegranate Martini :sun:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top