Recommend an alcoholic drink for me?

[USS Triumphant]

My wife and I have pretty much always been teetotalers. We started our family very early, so there's responsibility issues, and we both had bad experiences with substance abusers in our families while growing up, so there's that, too. And we haven't really enjoyed the taste of the few alcoholic beverages we have tried.

There is this image in pop culture, and seemingly among my online friends, of the light, social drinker who has a drink or two - just enough to enjoy a light "buzz" - and integrates doing so into a normal, responsible life. I've never met this creature. There's an implication that this is even a normal, daily, family thing for some of my European friends. Is that for real, or do all of these people have drinking issues that they are just hiding well?

If they are real, then I feel sometimes like I am missing out. I'd like to find a drink that tastes good (without a strong alcohol flavor) and in moderation provides a pleasant sensation without sneaking up on me or making me hyper.

Thought? Recommendations?

 

[Kestra]

I just want to say that you don't need to feel like you're missing out on something. I didn't drink at all until I was 23, then I had kind of a crazy period, and now sometimes I'll have a few, sometimes I'll go a really long time without a drink and I don't miss it at all.

It is possible to enjoy alcohol on occasion without going crazy, but it affects everyone differently. I don't think everyone you know is hiding drinking problems, but for some people, it definitely gets to be a problem. Go easy and watch yourself. I think I probably could become an alcoholic if I let myself, because of various factors, but because I'm aware of that I'm really careful about my drinking habits. I also have my husband to be an unbiased check for me.

As far as drinks go, I think it depends on what flavors you already like. I hated any sort of alcohol I tried until someone made me a hard lemonade drink (not Mike's). I liked that, because I like regular lemonade. I don't do manly drinks or beer or anything, because I just can't stand the taste. But a drop of butterscotch schnapps in a mug of hot chocolate on a cold evening? Delightful!

I don't know, just don't feel like you're missing out if it's not your thing. And if you do decide to try some drinks, be aware that alcohol does come with its own calories!

 

[JonathonWally]

My wife and I have pretty much always been teetotalers. We started our family very early, so there's responsibility issues, and we both had bad experiences with substance abusers in our families while growing up, so there's that, too. And we haven't really enjoyed the taste of the few alcoholic beverages we have tried.

There is this image in pop culture, and seemingly among my online friends, of the light, social drinker who has a drink or two - just enough to enjoy a light "buzz" - and integrates doing so into a normal, responsible life. I've never met this creature. There's an implication that this is even a normal, daily, family thing for some of my European friends. Is that for real, or do all of these people have drinking issues that they are just hiding well?

If they are real, then I feel sometimes like I am missing out. I'd like to find a drink that tastes good (without a strong alcohol flavor) and in moderation provides a pleasant sensation without sneaking up on me or making me hyper.

Thought? Recommendations?

Honestly? Stick with a good beer, forget the hard booze.

A really good beer with dinner. A nice cold one when working outside in the heat. Stuff like that. Put aside the idea of having a "whiskey sour" or whatever just to "appear" whatever in social situations.

 

[1001001]

Q: Recommend an alcoholic drink for me?

A: All of them.

 

[nevermore]

Wine. Or good beer.

 

[Data Holmes]

My wife and I have pretty much always been teetotalers. We started our family very early, so there's responsibility issues, and we both had bad experiences with substance abusers in our families while growing up, so there's that, too. And we haven't really enjoyed the taste of the few alcoholic beverages we have tried.

There is this image in pop culture, and seemingly among my online friends, of the light, social drinker who has a drink or two - just enough to enjoy a light "buzz" - and integrates doing so into a normal, responsible life. I've never met this creature. There's an implication that this is even a normal, daily, family thing for some of my European friends. Is that for real, or do all of these people have drinking issues that they are just hiding well?

If they are real, then I feel sometimes like I am missing out. I'd like to find a drink that tastes good (without a strong alcohol flavor) and in moderation provides a pleasant sensation without sneaking up on me or making me hyper.

Thought? Recommendations?

Well, it depends on your particular flavor likes, the situation you are consuming it under, and wild card factors.

Lets start with the first, what flavors do you like?

 

[Roger Wilco]

If they are real, then I feel sometimes like I am missing out. I'd like to find a drink that tastes good (without a strong alcohol flavor) and in moderation provides a pleasant sensation without sneaking up on me or making me hyper.

Of course it's real in general - although it's possible that some use these occasions to disguise an addiction to alcohol.

And "missing out" - why don't you just buy a bottle of wine or a sixpack of beer, drink it together with your wife? I promise you, it's not going to kill you or make you inject heroin the following day.

 

[Jan]

There is this image in pop culture, and seemingly among my online friends, of the light, social drinker who has a drink or two - just enough to enjoy a light "buzz" - and integrates doing so into a normal, responsible life. I've never met this creature. There's an implication that this is even a normal, daily, family thing for some of my European friends. Is that for real, or do all of these people have drinking issues that they are just hiding well?

No, it's real. Lots of people only have a couple of drinks once in a while and some European cultures have drinks (wine in the ones I'm familiar with) as part of their meals regularly and from a young age.

Personally, I have substance abuse on both sides of my family so I've always been aware that I can easily become a habitual drinker. I generally have a glass or two wine when I go out or am in a social setting but not often when at home.

If they are real, then I feel sometimes like I am missing out. I'd like to find a drink that tastes good (without a strong alcohol flavor) and in moderation provides a pleasant sensation without sneaking up on me or making me hyper.

I have a feeling that you'll prefer a drink that mixes the alcohol with something that overpowers the alcohol flavor. You might try gin and tonic, rum and coke or something like that. Be aware that with a less pronounced alcohol flavor it could be easy to overdo it, though.

Keep in mind that that 'buzz' can be an acquired taste, too. For some people, being buzzed can feel like being slightly out of control. If you try it a few times and don't care for it, I'd forget the idea. You can always just carry a tonic with lime and people will think you're drinking and you can avoid any social pressure.

Jan

 

[Rowan Sjet]

Honestly? Stick with a good beer, forget the hard booze.

Wine. Or good beer.

A "good beer" is an oxymoron for me usually.

However, I do like cider, particularly pear. Also mixes of vodka and lemonade, or Jack Daniels and cola, while my parents enjoy a glass or two of red wine with their evening meals.

 

[Maestro]

A Riesling wine will be sweeter and have less of an alcohol or even the "rotten fruit" taste that my wife associates with wines. Chateau St. Michelle, Spaetlese, and Relax are good, inexpensive versions readily available in the US.

A good English cask ale or bitter will also be focused more on taste of ingredients versus alcohol. Newcastle, Smithwick's, and Boddington's are readily available imports. New Glarus Spotted Cow, which is only legally sold in Wisconsin, is a great domestic approximation.

Rum and coke is completely dependent on the amount of rum versus the amount of coke. Some good, inexpensive rums are Captain Morgan or Bacardi. Admiral Nelson is OK in a pinch, but avoid rums with names like "Mr. Peabody," or "Chief of the Boat," or whatever the name of that awful cheapskate rum my wife bought last Christmas. "Captain and Coke" is the name of a specific drink. If you order it, you will get Captain Morgan and Coke. If you order rum and Coke, you may get asked which rum you'd like, or you may get stuck with the rail.

 

[trekkiedane]

Before reading more of this thread than the OP I'd like to give my recommendation.

The two of you could share a nice bottle of Champagne.

Whether it be sweet or dry, French or whatnot is up to personal preference but it is important that it be made according to the méthode champenoise* and keep the bottle chilled until empty.

Champagne is a fantastic drink ('grape juice plus' indeed!) and a bottle of that should be perfect to give a very nice 'buzz' to two adults.

ETA:
As suggested above, you might also just mix your favourite soft drink with some hard spirit and -indeed- mix to taste!

Reminds me: I'll need to put another bottle of Sekt (German champagne) in the fridge if I, as I'm intending, am to crash a party later...

2'nd ETA:
I've just read that it is now called méthode traditionnelle.

 

[Maestro]

Nothing quite as neat as a subtle champagne fog.

 

[DonIago]

For myself, what convinced me alcohol wasn't all bad were the tropical and candy-flavored drinks. Daiquiris, frozen margaritas (big strawberry fan here), Kahlua & Milk (or a White Russian), etc.

I can deal with some wines and pass on others, and me referring to a beer as, "I can drink this" is high praise indeed.

 

[Luckyflux]

Do you want drinks based with soda or carbonation, or do you want juice drinks. Some good soda based drinks are the aforementioned Captain and Coke. You could try a 7 and 7 (Segrams7 and 7up). Crown and Ginger (Crown Royal and Ginger Ale).

Good juice drinks are a Malibu Bay Breeze, Seabreeze, Grey Hound (Vodka and Grapefruit Juice), Vodka Cran (Vodka and Crandberry Juice).

No one here can help you with you taste buds so go out and get some small airplane bottles of booze and mix away. You'll find your drink. But remember different alcohol affects you differently. Beer might mellow you out with Tequila will make you want to dance (or fight).

It is hard to straddle that fine line between getting drunk and just buzzing. I don't know too many people like that either...

 

[Shaytan]

The two of you could share a nice bottle of Champagne.

Seconded, usually the people who never drink alcohol really enjoy Champagne. Plus a really good Champagne never give you a hangover !

Whether it be sweet or dry, French or whatnot is up to personal preference but it is important that it be made according to the méthode champenoise* and keep the bottle chilled until empty.

Not seconded
With Champagne, it's very simple : if Champagne is not written on the bottle, don't buy it, it's not Champagne.
The "méthode" is not enough to make a Champagne.

 

[trekkiedane]

^You have to say that - it doesn't count

Besides:

The United States acknowledges the exclusive nature of the "champagne" term and bans the use from all new US produced wines. Only those that had approval to use the term on labels before 2006 may continue to use it and only when it is accompanied by the wine's actual origin (e.g. California).

Wikipedia (my emphasis)
Which is why you might still be able to find an aluminium can of 'champagne' in the US.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Which is why you might still be able to find an aluminium can of 'champagne' in the US.

Haha, are you serious?

 

[trekkiedane]

Which is why you might still be able to find an aluminium can of 'champagne' in the US.

Haha, are you serious?

Only partly -haven't seen one myself, but those have appeared in several tv shows over the years

 

[Shaytan]

The United States acknowledges the exclusive nature of the "champagne" term and bans the use from all new US produced wines. Only those that had approval to use the term on labels before 2006 may continue to use it and only when it is accompanied by the wine's actual origin (e.g. California).

Wikipedia (my emphasis)
Which is why you might still be able to find an aluminium can of 'champagne' in the US.

It's absolutely ridiculous
Wine in a can and Champgane not produced in the region Champagne

 

[trekkiedane]

Wine in a can

Indeed, in this day and age where everyone knows wine comes in bags in boxes