Bottoms Up! | Alcohol for Beginners

For many, the first sip of an alcoholic beverage is a coming-of-age moment. That’s par for the course—most countries allow you to drink only when you reach adulthood.

Having your first taste of alcohol is something you won’t forget. Your chosen drink’s taste is also something your tastebuds will remember.

As exciting as this experience seems, we understand that trying alcohol for the first time can be intimidating for some. The various types alone are enough to confuse somebody! How will they know what to drink first? What makes one kind different from another?

We know some of you have questions regarding alcohol for beginners. Do you want answers?

You’re in luck! We’ll walk you through the ins and outs of alcohol, from its types to methods of drinking.

Ordering Drinks at Bars: The Basics

For many of us, our introduction to alcohol wasn’t in anywhere fancy. The booze usually consisted of cheap beer and other inexpensive liquor since they were the only ones we could afford.

Due to the absence of a formal introduction, some people don’t know how to order alcohol. The lack of knowledge can lead to potentially embarrassing scenarios. What if people see that you don’t know how to order a beer at a bar?

So before we share our recommendations, allow us to teach you how to order alcohol at bars.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions

When you’re at a bar or a club, the sheer size and variety of the drinking selection can intimidate you. You might hesitate to ask the bartender for advice, out of fear of being looked down upon as a novice.

Trust us—it’s neither embarrassing nor stupid to ask! Bartenders won’t judge you for asking questions. Unless they’re fully occupied with tasks, they’re usually pretty happy to answer your questions and share their knowledge.

Brush up on bar terminology

How do you transition from taking the most basic alcohol for beginners to moving up a level or two in your drinking game?

For one, get familiar with drinking-related verbiage. Do the terms well drink and premium confuse you? Good news: you’re not alone!

Familiarizing bar terms reduces confusion and makes order time quicker because you know how your drink will be served. The next time a bartender asks if you prefer your drink straight up or on the rocks, you’ll know what to answer.

Here are some common bartender terms to get you started:

• On the rocks - Ordering a drink “on the rocks” means you want it with ice.

• Straight up - Getting a drink this way means you prefer them shaken (via a shaker) and strained into a glass without ice.

• Premium - Going by its name, this term refers to top-shelf or expensive alcohol brands.

• Well drink - If you’re ordering a well drink, you’re signaling to the bartender that you don’t have an alcohol brand preference. Gin and tonic is the best example of this kind.

• Shooter - This drink is a pretty small one. A shooter usually contains one to two ounces of either straight liquor (whiskey or vodka, for example) or a mixed alcoholic creation (like Jello shots). And because of its size, shooters should be downed in one gulp.

Asking questions is welcome, but it won’t hurt to research basic bar vocabulary in advance. Your bartender/server will appreciate your initiative.

Go for the classics

We know you can get overwhelmed by the variety of alcoholic drinks. Beers alone have different types! If you don’t know what to order, we suggest sticking to basics like martinis, whiskey sodas, or wheat beers.

Ask for samples

This one is probably the easiest to follow of all the tips in this section.

While you can’t ask for liquor samples, most places will accommodate requests for wine or beer samples. If your bartenders aren’t too busy, feel free to ask for them.

Just go along the lines of, “I’m not sure about what to order. May I have a sample of [insert drink name here]?”

You can also opt to buy a flight. No, we don’t mean planes! Flight is a sophisticated term referring to small samples of a beverage’s different variants/flavors. Many bars offer flights, so you can avail of this option with no problems.

Ordering drinks at bars shouldn’t be an intimidating experience. These tips should help save you from getting anxious and embarrassed in public.

Now that you know how ordering drinks works, let’s get to our recommendations. Don’t worry—our list of alcoholic drinks for beginners isn’t crazy! We know you’re just getting into drinking, so we’ve picked selections without a strong aftertaste that makes you want to run to the nearest bathroom.

Mixed Drinks

This first category is a subject of debate among some bartending circles. Some often lump them together with cocktails.

The truth is, a mixed drink is different from a cocktail. It contains a minimum of two ingredients: alcohol and a mixer (tonic water, fruit juice, soda, etc.).

While bartenders can serve warm mixed drinks, they usually come chilled with ice. For this kind of drink, ice plays two roles: a cooling agent and a visual enhancer. How does ice add to a drink’s aesthetics? Just look at their shapes. Whether they come crushed, in cubes, or in balls, they make drinks look extra appealing.

For beginners, we recommend these selections:

1. Screwdriver

You may think that vodka and orange juice together may not amount to much, but they’re a pretty effective pairing. The orange juice’s citrusy flavor nullifies the burning sensation associated with drinking vodka, making it one of the best alcoholic drinks for beginners.

2. Gin and tonic

There’s a reason this mixed drink is always a hit in most bars. Although many enjoy gin on its own, most prefer to mix it with tonic water to combat its natural taste.

Gin and tonic is a popular mixed drink because of its light, crisp, and refreshing flavor. It has bitter notes, but tangy and sour hints balance that, resulting in a pleasant taste that beginners will appreciate.

Gin is famous for its aromatic, dry, and slightly bitter taste. Tonic water’s carbonated content enhances gin’s natural juniper flavor. Together, the two ingredients make for a drink that suits any occasion. When you’re new to mixed drinks (and alcohol altogether), we suggest giving this a try.

3. Rum and Coke

We’ve included another iconic alcoholic pairing in this for a reason. Its smooth and slightly sweet taste is a flavor that won’t startle novice drinkers.

Although rum and coke is known for its light sweetness and smoothness, the type of rum bartenders use can add extra flavors.

White rum. This rum type’s clear color and sweet notes are its defining characteristics. Thanks to its sweetness, white rum is the variety most bartenders use to make rum and coke.

Gold rum. This rum’s signature color comes from barrel aging and varying additives from distillers. Rum and coke made from this type has a more robust flavor white rum.

Spiced rum. No—this rum won’t burn your tongue! Spiced rum is the result of infusing spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla into the liquor.

When bartenders use spice rum in their rum and coke, it results in a more complex drink. The spices’ taste is noticeable, but they don’t overpower the drink. If you happen to recognize notes of cinnamon in your rum and coke, that’s the spiced rum working its magic.

Aged rum. Are you looking to cool yourself down on a hot day? Aged rum and coke may be your best bet.

Like cheese, rum tastes better as it ages. Aged rum’s syrup-like consistency and caramelized taste add a depth of flavor to rum and coke. Should you order a drink made with this kind of rum, here’s a tip: savor it slowly. Aged rum and coke is best enjoyed in slow sips.

Best Cocktails for Beginners

Do you see drinks with little stirring sticks or tiny umbrellas? You’re most likely looking at a cocktail.

Cocktails come in many colors and flavors, so you’ll definitely find a kind you’ll enjoy! And because of their variety, we think they’re a fun introduction to alcohol for beginners.

As we mentioned earlier, cocktails and mixed drinks are different. Cocktails require more physical effort because bartenders shake them before pouring and serving them.

They also differ in the number of components. If mixed drinks only need two ingredients, cocktails are made from three or more ingredients.

What’s inside a cocktail? This alcoholic drink usually consists of the following ingredients:

1. Liquor

You can’t make an alcoholic drink without booze! For cocktails, distilled alcohol (aka liquor) is a must because of its high alcohol content and unique flavors. Most cocktails have spirits like gin, whiskey, and vodka as their base.

2. Mixers

Mixers are non-alcoholic ingredients that dilute the liquor’s alcohol content. They also add flavors to cocktails, giving them a unique identity. Popular mixers include soda, fruit juice, cream, and egg whites.

3. Simple syrup and bitters

Simple syrup is as its name suggests: it’s the result of dissolving granulated sugar with water. Most stick to a 1:1 ratio to avoid the risk of an overly-sweet syrup.

Meanwhile, bitters are neutral spirits infused with spices and herbs (botanicals). Like mixers, they’re also a cocktail flavoring agent. Think of them like salt: without bitters, your cocktail will fall short on taste.

Together, simple syrup and bitters balance out a cocktail’s various flavors. They keep drinks from being too sour or sweet.

4. Garnishes

Why do some drinks come with lemon twists and other random fruit slices? To answer that question, they garnish cocktails. They round drinks out by equalizing a liquor’s strong flavor.

Garnishes also make cocktails visually appealing too. Something simple such as an orange twist adds character to a drink like a Negroni.

Now that you know what goes into a cocktail, allow us to make our recommendations:

White Russian

If you think coffee-like booze didn’t exist, let this drink surprise you. White Russian is a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. Bartenders usually serve this drink on the rocks.

That combination makes it one of the best-tasting alcoholic drinks for beginners.

The White Russian earned a spot on our list because of its mild sweetness and warm flavor. If you don’t want something too strong without compromising on taste, this one is worth a shot (no pun intended).

Whiskey sour

Don’t let the “sour” part turn you off. A whiskey sour is a refreshing drink that’s great for the upcoming summer season.

This drink sees whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white come together. Yes, you read that right! An egg white works well here because it balances whiskey’s tartness and brings a smooth texture.

Old-fashioned

What happens when you bring bourbon, bitters, simple syrup, and an orange peel together? Allow us to introduce you to old-fashioned: a cocktail that’s been around since the mid-1800s.

A cocktail like the old-fashioned will help you get used to the taste of booze without wanting to throw up. The hints of bitterness and spiciness provide a nice balance of flavors.

Best Girly Drinks

Don’t be fooled by its label. Girly drinks (or ladies’ drinks) aren’t exclusive to one gender!

The label refers to sweet or creamy alcoholic drinks. If you’re a person who enjoys alcohol on the sweet side, you’re very much welcome to order girly drinks. They’re also great for people who want to let loose without getting too tipsy.

These are our picks for great sweet alcoholic drinks for beginners:

Margarita

If you don’t mind a citrus zing in your drink, this one’s for you.

Tequila (preferably Blanco), triple sec, agave, and lime juice come together to make a margarita. Bars frequently serve them frozen or on the rocks, giving customers a citrusy and cool treat.

Margaritas also usually come in salt-rimmed glasses. The salt doesn’t just make them more visually stunning. It balances out the drink’s sweet, tart, and warm flavors too. You can’t get a more welcoming intro to alcohol for beginners than this!

Mojito

If you want to try rum for the first time, this refreshing drink is right up your alley.

Mojitos are made from rum, lime juice, club soda, sugar, and mint. The punchy and refreshing flavor makes them easy to drink because the lime juice, club soda, and mint cloak the rum’s grassy taste.

Although you can’t go wrong with a classic mojito recipe, you can also try its variations. You can order a coconut mojito if you want a tropical twist on the drink. Do you want a slightly tart variant? Give a blueberry mojito a try.

Daiquiri

Here’s another rum-based girly drink for first-timers. Daiquiri is a sweet cocktail containing rum, sugar, and citrus juice, and often includes fruit. Customers can get them over ice, chilled, or frozen.

Strawberry daiquiri is the most popular variant of the drink. Although it’s great at any time of the year, it’s one of the perfect drinks to sip in the summer.

Mimosa

We’re sure you’ve heard of this brunch staple. Mimosa is one of the few cocktails meant for day drinking. All bartenders need for this drink is equal parts orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed) and champagne or sparkling wine, and they’re good to go.

Moscow mule

Vodka’s burning sensation can make it an intimidating liquor. Get your first taste of this spirit through this cool, sweet, spicy, strong, and gingery drink.

Moscow mule is made with vodka, ginger ale (or beer), and lime juice. Some bartenders add mint leaves and lime slices for zippy and fresh garnishes. No drinker can ever go wrong with this combination.

More often than not, bars serve Moscow mules in chilled copper mugs, upping their cool factor. If you’re looking for a laid-back entry to alcohol for beginners, this drink is an excellent choice.

Good Wine for Beginners

Wine may be alcoholic fermented grape juice, but it’s an acquired taste for many people. The grapes used are different from table grapes, which may explain why they taste different from the grapes we’re used to eating.

It can be overwhelming too. It has many varieties and types, and there are a ton of nuances surrounding this particular drink. Unless you’re a sommelier, you don’t know why a specific bottle of red wine is different from another.

If you don’t know where to start on wine, don’t worry. Our list of good wines for beginners won’t intimidate you.

Pinot noir

What better way to start drinking red wine than going with this classic? Pinot Noir is a beloved red wine variant because of its light-bodied and earthy flavor.

You’ll be pleased to notice the cherry and raspberry notes as you taste the pinot noir. If you happen to taste an oak-aged one, you’ll pick up hints of baking spice and vanilla.

One of the best things about Pinot Noir is that it goes well with a lot of food! We suggest pairing it with chicken, pork, duck, beef, and mushrooms.

Sauvignon Blanc

Do you want to taste summer in a bottle? Look no further than sauvignon blanc.

This dry white wine contains tart and acidic flavors like passionfruit, grapefruit, asparagus, and green apple. Oak barrel-aged sauvignon blanc has additional notes of custard and vanilla. You’ll notice a riper tropical flavor as well.

We recommend this wine for people who don’t like wine and first-time drinkers because of its light and fruity taste. Pair it with lighter fare like green vegetables and seafood.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay will please sweet-toothed drinkers. In contrast to our two previous picks, this one is a full-bodied white wine. Its flavors vary because they depend on factors like aging technique and the climate.

The unoaked chardonnay has an acidic, crisp, and tropical flavor, with lemony and green apple notes. Meanwhile, an oaked chardonnay has a nutty, buttery, and vanilla taste.

Zinfandel

A jammy wine may not make sense at first, but when you taste this one, that description will make sense.

Zinfandel is a Croatian red wine that has a full-bodied flavor. It gets its jammy taste from fruity blackberry, strawberry, plum, and cherry notes. You’ll also notice some spice and smokiness, with hints of cinnamon and black pepper coming through.

One important thing to note is that Zinfandel has a high alcohol content, ranging from 13 to 17%. Remember to keep yourself hydrated when you taste it!

Responsible Drinking for First-Timers

One glass can easily become too many if you don’t watch your liquor. Please drink responsibly to avoid stumbling into inconvenient and potentially dangerous situations.

Follow these tips to enjoy your drinks without getting carried away:

1. Place limits on yourself

Before you check out a bar’s drinks menu, set a drink limit for yourself. Once you have a number, stay with that, and don’t attempt to stretch it. Everyone has different alcohol tolerance levels, so choose a number that suits you.

The limits don’t stop at the number of drinks. You may want to consider their prices too. Check how much money you have before heading out to avoid overspending.

2. Don’t succumb to pressure

Just because other people are ordering a specific drink doesn’t mean you should too. We recommend starting with cocktails. Why? The mixers and syrups added to such drinks mask strong alcohol.

3. Stay away from shots

First-time drinkers may want to leave shots out of their first-drink options. They may be tiny, but they’re stronger than a glass of beer or wine. Just say no!

4. Pace yourself

Don’t be in a rush to finish your booze! You’ll get drunk fast when you attempt to finish your liquor quickly. Our bodies take an hour to process one unit of alcohol, so don’t hurry.

Pacing yourself makes you enjoy alcohol more as well. Part of the fun in drinking is savoring your drink’s tastes and flavors. Some cocktails are even meant to be sipped slowly and gradually.

5. Don’t forget about hydration

Regardless of your chosen drink, remember to stay hydrated. Since alcohol dehydrates the body, drink a glass of water every few sips to retain your hydration levels.

6. Eat while you drink

Alcohol passes through our stomach and small intestines. Slow its entry by eating food while you’re drinking. Just avoid salty foods to make you less thirsty.

We know that exploring alcohol for beginners can be fun. However, don’t forget to be a responsible drinker! Your experience will be much more enjoyable if you’re drunk and blacked out.