Help Me Pick a Cocktail

[monarch64]

I like to drink a wine "spritzer" when it's very, very hot out, or in social settings i.e. events that last 2+ hours. It's just red or white wine mixed with Sprite, maybe throw in a lemon or lime wedge for fun. Doesn't taste totally alcohol-y, won't get you very tipsy, and looks pretty in a glass with crushed ice. To avoid the headaches that sulfites from wine tend to induce, I drink a gigantic glass of water when I get home and take 2 ibuprofen. (Note: do not take NSAIDs or ibu if you drink a lot--read the warnings on the labels!)

 

[MaddyRock]

I'm not a beer drinker at all, but I certainly don't look down on them as having unsophisticated palates! In fact, a lot of them are more refined than us booze drinkers! It's all in how you present it.

For example, I think saying, "Do you have a light IPA on tap tonight?" "Or, "What craft beer can you recommend with a Munich or Carahell Malt?" is a lot more grown up than asking for a Captain and diet coke (not judging, that is one of my favorites)!

I don't think it's what you drink, it's how you drink, and how you appreciate it!

 

[VRBeauty]

I find that sweet drinks go down a bit too easy so when I want something other than beer or wine I tend to go for a gin and tonic.

A campari and soda is also a nice, sophisticated looking alternative to a cocktail. Some people would consider it bitter, but it's a good sipping drink (and I rather like the taste!)

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm not a beer drinker at all, but I certainly don't look down on them as having unsophisticated palates! In fact, a lot of them are more refined than us booze drinkers! It's all in how you present it.

For example, I think saying, "Do you have a light IPA on tap tonight?" "Or, "What craft beer can you recommend with a Munich or Carahell Malt?" is a lot more grown up than asking for a Captain and diet coke (not judging, that is one of my favorites)!

I don't think it's what you drink, it's how you drink, and how you appreciate it!

Totally agree! I'll drink a fruity martini if I'm at a restaurant that offers it, but usually when I'm at a restaurant, I order wine. The only time I really order a cocktail (fruit flavored vodka and tonic is my go-to) is at a bar.

 

[kefira]

And...Sex on the Beach sounds good, but for some reason I don't think I could get that order out without laughing!

Start with a couple of margaritas, then it'll be no problem.

Ooh, margaritas are always a good choice, especially in the summer, and they come in just about every fruit flavor. I used to think I only liked them blended, but I have found through laziness (making them at home), that on-the-rocks is equally good.

You can always try out some hard ciders, too. I just cannot get myself to tolerate the taste of beer (or wine - what is wrong with me?), but I have always enjoyed cider and perry. The more tart ones are refreshing, and the really sweet ones are practically a dessert.

 

[ame]

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!

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.

This last part made me smile.

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

I tease you . . .

lol I mean I say this like I drink anything anymore, even soda. I used to be a human kegorator, but I can't even remember the last alcohol I have had.

 

[lliang_chi]

iLander, if you're new to cocktails I'd definitely go slow. I think the key for a good cocktail is the liquor that goes in it. So, if you're going to limit yourself to only two cocktails a night, I'd go for the good stuff (top shelf brands). They're more expensive, but my rationale is, "We're at an age where its' about QUALITY not QUANTITY." Definitely order your drinks with name, like Haven's "Effen black & soda". With doing G&Ts (Gin & Tonic) I say "Hendricks & tonic."

My suggestions** for someone starting out on the world of cocktails, and these you should be able to find at most bars.
1. Margarita (with 1800, Patron, or the like). I like my margaritas up with salt, so made in ice then strained like a martini.
2. (Flavored) Vodka & soda (Grey Goose, Belvedere, Effen Black Cherry, Effen Cucumber, etc)
3. Pimms cup (gin cocktail: Hendricks, North Shore)
4. Sparkling + St. Germaine (elderflower liquor, pretty sweet, so sometimes this can be a bomb if they don't make it right).
5. Gin (Hendricks or North shore) + grapefruit

Some cocktails I've made at home that are TASTY:
1. North shore (gin) + limonata
2. North shore + ginger beer
3. North shore + St. Germaine + soda
4. North shore + grapefruit + soda

I used to be able to drink 6-8 cocktails a night and just be tipsy (pre-pregnancy). Now I really have to watch it or I'm a mess. When we go out to fancy restaurants they make some nice gin cocktails with stuff like fresh ginger beer, muddled blackberries.

**Disclaimer: Personally I'm a gin girl, so that's where I usually lean towards.

 

[isaku5]

That, my dear, is the secret ingredient

 

[VapidLapid]

Champagne is always appropriate

 

[House Cat]

I have the smallest tolerance for alcohol out of anyone I know. To keep things from getting too eventful, I always order cocktails "light." This way they use half the booze. Honestly, I still get drunk on the first drink, but if I sip slowly, I can keep things pretty normal.

Cutting drinks with soda helps too.

 

[movie zombie]

actually, any alcoholic drink with sugar [cola, etc] will increase the alcohol uptake into the bloodstream. i try and avoid them unless at home.

 

[iLander]

Champagne is always appropriate

VL, I have to say that I've never found a champagne that I like.

They all tasty too tangy to me (I don't know anything about wine, is that what they refer to as "dry"?).

Am I just buying cheap champagne? Probably. What brand do you recommend besides Dom?

 

[Dee*Jay]

iLander, Dom is $$$$$. Try prosecco instead of champagne (basically the same thing, but they can't call it champagne becuase it isn't made in the Champagne region). Mionetto (bright orange label*)is a good choice, and about $10-12/bottle. If champagne is generally too tangy for you, try ones that are not brut. Riondo prosecco (with a green oval label) is a little sweeter (but not like gag me with a Cold Duck sweet).

* The problem with Mionetto's bright orange label is that Veuve also has a bright orange label... and I accidentally found myself drinking a $60 bellini a couple of months ago. Oops!

 

[lliang_chi]

iLander if you want to try champagne but don't care much for the dry-ness, try a demi-sec (type of sparkling). It'll say it on the bottle. It's like the difference between a Pilsner or a Stout, or an IPA etc. Or if you still want to try sparkling, try one from a different country. Different name, but still the same process to make it (give or take). Cava = Spanish sparkling, prosecco = Italian sparkling, cremant = french sparkling just not made in Champagne.

~LC

 

[iLander]

Okay, so I'm going to try a bunch of these (it could take years, at my rate ).

I didn't know that they did weird stuff like flavoring vodkas! Who knew? Sounds kinda good, though. And I now understand rum; it Does taste like coconut, now that you mention it!

Thank you guys!

 

[sonnyjane]

Okay, so I'm going to try a bunch of these (it could take years, at my rate ).

I didn't know that they did weird stuff like flavoring vodkas! Who knew? Sounds kinda good, though.

Thank you guys!

This will BLOW YOUR MIND: http://www.threeolives.com/flavors

I like to order grape or cherry with tonic - tastes like a Popsicle! I've also had the Fruit Loops flavor.

 

[iLander]

Okay, so I'm going to try a bunch of these (it could take years, at my rate ).

I didn't know that they did weird stuff like flavoring vodkas! Who knew? Sounds kinda good, though.

Thank you guys!

This will BLOW YOUR MIND: http://www.threeolives.com/flavors

I like to order grape or cherry with tonic - tastes like a Popsicle! I've also had the Fruit Loops flavor.

This stuff is so weird. Last time I drank vodka (before the kids), it came in two flavors; cheap and expensive.

That was it.

Is tonic the same as soda? As in "scotch and soda"?

 

[Enerchi]

Tonic has a more 'bitter' taste and soda is just a neutral carbonate drink.

Love your vodka brands - "cheap and expensive"!! I think I've tried them both... big fan of 42Below! or Grey Goose... or Belvedere!

 

[sonnyjane]

Okay, so I'm going to try a bunch of these (it could take years, at my rate ).

I didn't know that they did weird stuff like flavoring vodkas! Who knew? Sounds kinda good, though.

Thank you guys!

This will BLOW YOUR MIND: http://www.threeolives.com/flavors

I like to order grape or cherry with tonic - tastes like a Popsicle! I've also had the Fruit Loops flavor.

This stuff is so weird. Last time I drank vodka (before the kids), it came in two flavors; cheap and expensive.

That was it.

Is tonic the same as soda? As in "scotch and soda"?

Soda is just seltzer water (I'm not a fan). Tonic is sweeter and has quinine in it.

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this cuz I just skimmed thru but whenever I feel like I don't wanna get very buzzed and just wanna sip on a drink, I order a cranberry splash. It just has cranberry juice, sprite and Malibu rum. So very little alcohol content.

My kryptonite is pomegranate martinis though... Made right and they are soooo delicious! And if all goes wrong, you can always order a girl's favorite: cosmos

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Mojitos are my favorite, but if I am at a work event or cocktail party with a more basic bar, I am a vodka tonic or vodka cranberry girl, extra lime (and truthfully I like them heavy on the tonic and light on the vodka)...but thanks to the education I got in this thread, I will now be ordering:

Single tall Grey Goose and tonic, extra lime OR single tall Belvedere and cranberry, extra lime.

I feel like such a grown-up now

 

[erinl]

It is not available everywhere, but I love aviations:

http://cocktails.about.com/od/ginrecipes/r/aviation_cktl.htm