An Open Question to NPF Boozehounds

[Shyria Dracnoir]

I'll be 21 in about a week and I want to celebrate appropriately. What sort of hard drinks would you recommend as a good introductory drink for someone who's never had alcohol before?

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

If the bartender at the party your friend drags you to laughs once he hears you've never had a drink before and then hands you a drink and says "Take a deep breath, plug your nose and try not to taste it." Then for the love of god ask if they have any chaser before you down that stuff.

[Flarecobra]

Vodka, as it can mix well with juices, and doesn't have too hard a taste.

Rum, if you're looking for something a little sweeter.

[Terex4]

Rum and coke is a fantastic drink if you want to remember your birthday afterwards. Get vanilla rum if you can for more flavor.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Whiskey neat. Chuck it back and go to town.
Don't start with beer whatever you do. That's a bad plan. Though a yardy is traditional.
Having your first drinks on your 21st seems like an absolutely terrible idea to me though. It's pretty much a recipe for death.

[Arcanum]

Tequila. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.

e- though on a slightly more serious note, whatever you have, don't get the super cheap stuff since it can ruin that type of alcohol for you. Cheapo vodka is partially why all vodka tastes like distilled permanent marker to me, regardless of what it's mixed with. (the other part is vodka is just plain terrible).

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Nout seriously- have some drinks before your 21st. Assuming US 21sts are like our 21sts (hire out a bar for the night, invite everyone you know, make some speeches then get forced to drink inordinate amounts) going into it never having drunk before is like the most reckless thing ever.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

I've had a little bit of wine and sangria before at holiday dinners with my parents, but I never quite got used to the taste.

[Melfice]

Then, for shits and giggles, don't drink alcohol.
It's a valid choice!

Who cares if you turned 21. There's no law that says you HAVE to drink now.

If you insist... eh, I've got no advice. I don't drink.

EDIT: I mean, I don't mean to say drinking is bad, or teetotalling is "good". I'm just saying... if you don't want to, don't do it just because you're now legal to drink.

TYPO FIXED

[EVILNess]

Too bad you don't live near Shreveport, LA. The Riverboat Casinos give absolutely free drinks as long as you are gambling. I have friends that go, play penny slots for 12 hours and end up quite wasted.

I have gotten a call at 4 AM several times to come give them a ride home because at least one of them had to be at work at 6 that morning.

"Umm... Hello?"

"NICK! We ... shut up, shut up I AM ON THE PHONE... Nick, we need you man."

"Sigh... what."

"Since you can't drink, you are the only person on the weekend I know sober enough to come get us.

"Just sleep it off in the car."

"Sam has work in... what time is it... SHIT... Dude, he has to work in two hours!"

"Goddamn you all. I will be there in 30. Take him to a goddamn Waffle House and FEED him so he is at least HALF sober for work."

EDIT: QUESTION! Are Waffle Houses a strictly US phenomenon? Is there a European Waffle House?

[Osterbaum]

Rum & coke is a good idea as people have suggested. Also known as CUBA LIBRE!

[Fifthfiend]

I'll be 21 in about a week and I want to celebrate appropriately. What sort of hard drinks would you recommend as a good introductory drink for someone who's never had alcohol before?

Alize

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Just to clarify, I don't intend to get completely shitfaced, just figured that it might be nice to get a chance to exercise that perk.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

You only turn 21 once. Get shitfaced. Don't listen to all these squares who are like "you don't have to" Yes you do!

[BitVyper]

Alcohol tastes awful in all forms. Why would you do this to yourself on your birthday?

[Aldurin]

Absinthe with crushed garlic.

[Seil]

Rum and coke is a fantastic drink if you want to remember your birthday afterwards. Get vanilla rum if you can for more flavor.

Better yet, vanilla Coke. Vanilla Coke is the shit.

I perfer whiskey and Coke myself, but it's personal preference.

Anyway, here's my hard liquor guide:

Whiskey - drink it straight. If you get the blended bourbon stuff, it's going to be a little strong. If you get a single malt, it's going to be more smooth. Whiskey works well in Coke and other sodas.

Rum - I say go for white rum, 'cause I dun like the spiced and don't drink it that often.

Tequila - Despite all the jokes about tequila, it's not too bad. I'd say go for some top shelf stuff, 'cause the cheap tequila is terrible.

Vodka - My favorite vodka is Van Gogh's Espresso, which is a coffee flavored thing. (And it's great.) Try some regular Smirnoff or Absolut in a mixer first. I can't stand it straight. And flavor it with a bit of citrus, or sugar syrups - any bartender worth their stale peanuts should have sugar syrups. (The pre-flavored vodkas are terrible.)

Schnapps - In my experience, schnapps are really strong flavor-wise, so they're a good chaser. Just be sure you like the flavor first, as it stays with you for a minute or two.

Jagermeister tastes like black licorice, which I dislike, but apparently a lot of people on the forum have terrible taste, so who knows.

Sake is good a few drinks into the night, just know that it's traditionally served hot, and in some restaurants they have a kettle for it, like a tea pot that they bring to your table.

Stay away from the fancy stuff like sherry and port and gin. They're not good as shots. Gin isn't good at all.

Oi! And when it starts to get late, go for these:

- Jack and Coke
- Whiskey Sour (Should be your last drink of the night.)
- Applejacks - One measure of Jack Daniels, one of sour apple liquer
- Irish Car Bomb - it's pretty much whiskey in Guiness
- Absinthe - it's fun to drink the proper way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tWyDxiOz70).
- Fucking Tequila Sunrise looks cool and is delicious.
- Same goes for Long Island Iced Teas.
- A Dark And Stormy (ginger beer and rum over ice) is pretty amazing in some bars.

[Seil]

Oh! The proper way to drink tequila is always salt, shot, lime. In that order. When you drink tequila or absinthe, it's cool to drink 'the proper way,' but don't insist on doing it that way 'cause you'll end up being the dude at the bar that no one wants to sit with.

Don't ask the bartender to have your martini 'shaken, not stirred,' because the bartender has heard it eight million times and it wasn't funny the first time. If you've got a lady bartender, don't ask for a 'Sex on the Beach' with a wink or a nod or any other sort of suggestive smirk because she'll likely spit in your drink.

If you're going to a bar that's a regular for your friends, have a beer or two before you go early in the evening. People will remember you and you don't wanna make an ass out of yourself in the regular bar. You'll want to get a nice beer for your first, there's lots out there, but bars are expensive and it's better to start on shots when you've got a little in your system already.

Be kind to the bartender, and they'll be kind back. On any given night, depending on where the bar is, they've heard fancy drink orders from anal customers, unreciprocated flirting and complaining about the service. If you're just a cool guy and you tip well, the bartender might give you an extra shot or two. (Especially if you mention it's your birthday.)

Don't get too shit faced at the bar. If you want to keep drinking, go home and do it. It's not cool to pass out at the table.

If you continue drinking at home, make sure you have someone check on you. If you've never drunk before and you don't know your tolerance, it's easy to have six or twelve shots before the the alcohol hits you, and then you vomit in your sleep and choke or die of alcohol poisoning. It's a thing that happens.

DD stands for designated driver. Your folks or friends will probably tell you to get one, but if they don't, I'm telling you: Get a designated driver.

Don't worry too much, have fun, and don't go after everything your friends say you should drink without them telling you what you're drinking.

[DarkDrgon]

Seil is right about everything but gin. Gins fucking awesome, a Tom Collins or dry martini is the perfect way to have a social drink.

For shots, I'm always a fan of good spiced rum.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Man Seil, you are like the biggest buzzkill ever. If you want to follo are yow a bunch of rules why are you drinking.

[Terex4]

Don't worry too much, have fun, and don't go after everything your friends say you should drink without them telling you what you're drinking.
Matter of fact, expect nothing but ruthless betrayal from your friends, especially since you've never been drunk before. They'll think getting you as shitfaced as possible will be a riot.

[pochercoaster]

Yeah man, gin is fucking delicious.

Rum & coke is a good suggestion, but gin & tonics taste pretty mild too and they're not super sweet. Long island iced tea is also good if you're just concerned about the flavour.

If you're trying to avoid being uncomfortably drunk, just take your time with each drink i.e. don't down them all at once and you'll be fine.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Gin is only acceptable in three occassions
A) you are an old lady
B) you are camping in the middle of nowhere
or
C) You are playing gin sala gin.

[Satan's Onion]

Hard to go wrong with a bottle of hard apple cider. Tastes pretty awesome, still has a bit of a kick to it.

Also! A Fuzzy Navel or a White Russian. Those are delish, I tells ya. Dee-lish.

[CABAL49]

Really what you should be doing is trying a bit of everything until you find what tastes good to you. Then have regrets the next morning cause mixing all the alcohols is a terrible idea. I'd start with some scotch. Refined and elegant.

[Ryong]

Squeeze a lemon, add sugar, water, vodka and ice.

Heck, vodka + coke is also nice.

[Solid Snake]

...Apparently none of you have ever heard of 'wine.'
Oh no, wait, Shyria just specified that she only wanted the hard stuff.

...Well screw that, buy an expensive bottle of Cabernet anyway and sip that nectar of the Gods like you're Dionysus and it is time for fucking ecstasy and elation

EDIT: It's also marginally frightening how much Seil and I apparently agree re: whiskey, rum, tequila, Jagermeister, gin, etc.
He's wrong about the sherry though.
Any drink that the Cranes drink is +1,000,000 awesome points.
/stuck in the 90s

[Osterbaum]

Wine is for hipsters. Especially red wine.

[Solid Snake]

Wine is for hipsters. Especially red wine.

Apparently in your world "hipsters" is defined to mean "awesome people."
And everyone knows red wine >>>> white wine.

[phil_]

How about "Wine is for a meal, not for getting drunk?" I mean, you can get drunk on wine—I've done so—but it's not the way most folks enjoy their wine.

[Thadius]

Keep in mind, boys and girls and indiscriminate others, just as I'm a bad influence on her, so is she a bad influence on me.

If the advice you give her turns out to be bad enough, you all might meet a drunk me one day.

It's not a day I think you or anyone living will particularly enjoy. Least of all me, but at least I'm realistic about that day coming eventually.

[Seil]

Man Seil, you are like the biggest buzzkill ever. If you want to follo are yow a bunch of rules why are you drinking.

Says the man who drinks out of a tub. Also, after working in restaurants/bars and hearing the complaints, there's just some dos and don'ts.

Also, Snake, yeah red wine. I'd go for a shiraz. Sherry is also terrible.

[Azisien]

Gin and tonic - excellent

Rum and coke - excellent

Vodka OR tequila lemonade - excellent but dangerous (if the lemonade is sour/sweet enough it can completely mask the alcohol and then you're fucked)

[Solid Snake]

If the advice you give her turns out to be bad enough, you all might meet a drunk me one day.


Given how you act when sober, I'm almost inclined to wonder whether a drunk Thadius is actually entirely sane and easy to converse with.

[Loyal]

Man Seil, you are like the biggest buzzkill ever. If you want to follo are yow a bunch of rules why are you drinking.

Objection: A buzzkill would suggest not drinking at all.

Keep in mind, boys and girls and indiscriminate others, just as I'm a bad influence on her, so is she a bad influence on me.

If the advice you give her turns out to be bad enough, you all might meet a drunk me one day.

It's not a day I think you or anyone living will particularly enjoy. Least of all me, but at least I'm realistic about that day coming eventually.

Please. You're probably a kitten drunk.

[synkr0nized]

How about "Wine is for a meal, not for getting drunk?" I mean, you can get drunk on wine—I've done so—but it's not the way most folks enjoy their wine.

What


I love going through bottles. You sure as Hell don't guzzle it -- heathens!! -- but it can be great for an evening with friends.

[Solid Snake]

I'm just here to announce that it is absolutely impossible for me to feel depressed so long as this video exists (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNrXMOSkBas)

Yay

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Objection: A buzzkill would suggest not drinking at al


No a buzzkill will take really fun activities and ruin them for everyone with a bunch of rules.

What


I love going through bottles. You sure as Hell don't guzzle it -- heathens!! -- but it can be great for an evening with friends.

Agree. Getting blasted on wine is aces. Red is the best mostly for practicality - you don't need to arrnage chilling or anything.

[batgirl]

If you're going for dinner, go with a fruit drink like a daquiri or a mai tai. A good baby step into the drinking pool.

At a bar: I agree with everything Seil said, but I add this drink. Delicious and tastes like candy, so be careful about having too many of these, you can get wasted quickly.

Buttery nipple with a cherry kiss:

1/2oz butterscotch shnappes
1/2oz Bailey's irish cream
1tsp cherry liquer

Also, don't bother with beer unless you want something cheap and never drink it first. Remember this poem: Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you're in the clear.

To be on the safe side just don't mix your drinks.
Be careful, be safe, but have fun and happy birthday!!

[Fifthfiend]

Objection: A buzzkill would sugg

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

[Loyal]

I think this makes my interpretation correct, Smarty.

[Melfice]

Objection: A buzzkill would suggest not drinking at all.

Thanks.
Also, next time you need a ride home because you're too shitfaced to drive properly, I wouldn't suggest calling any friends. They're buzzkills for being sober.

A true buzzkill, when it comes to drinking, would be a guy who takes ALL of the alcohol away, just after you've taken a tiny sip.

What somebody who suggests not drinking is doing, is offering a suggestion that's just as valid as suggesting they should go drink.
What I really said earlier in the thread was: "Don't drink because you can, but drink when you can because you want to."
See, "I turned 21, so let's go grab some booze!" doesn't sound like a very good reason for drinking to me.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

That is the best reason I can imagine.

[Melfice]

That is the best reason I can imagine.

That's just peer pressure talking.
Also, you're you.

You were probably born drunk.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Man I don't understand why everyone is like "peer pressure is so bad". Like 90% of the best things that happen in my life were under the influence of peer pressure. Just don't hang around cunts who will pressure you do shit things, just hang around sweet people who will pressure you do awesome things.

And like your 21st birthday is like the biggest celebration you'll have aside from like a wedding which you have to share with someone else. Like using those standards you will only have 1 drink in your life.

[Ecks]

Do everything that Seil said except fuck Seil for saying Jaegermeister is shit. Ask for at least one Jaegerbomb. If you like it continue to drink them until shitfacehood. If you don't hey, it's just a drink, there's loads more for you to try out.

[pochercoaster]

What somebody who suggests not drinking is doing, is offering a suggestion that's just as valid as suggesting they should go drink.
What I really said earlier in the thread was: "Don't drink because you can, but drink when you can because you want to."
See, "I turned 21, so let's go grab some booze!" doesn't sound like a very good reason for drinking to me.

You need more drinks. You don't need a reason to get drunk, you just do it because.

[Arhra]

I'd go with the spirit mixes since I know I couldn't stand the taste of beer at first. I'm a fan of bourbon and coke myself.

You can get some really good ciders a lot of the time too.

As for general drinking advice, make sure you have a good meal beforehand and drink water regularly (after every two drinks to play it safe). I can't emphasise enought how much of a difference eating before drinking makes. I found out the hard way last year.