Find me a drink!

[archibaldcrane]

My decent into being a wino started with Beaujolais (that cheap French stuff they rush to market around thanksgiving), then Zinfandel, then Petit Syrah, then Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot.

For whites I started liking white burgundy (French Chardonnay), then stuff like Viognier and other Chardonnays. I still don't really like high-acid whites like dry riesling and sauvignon blanc. They make my mouth water really badly and it sucks.

[Clash Perez]

I find that Malbecs are generally a good red wine, I don't think I've ever had a bad one, it seems much easier to pick a tolerable red over a tolerable white.

Malbecs are delicious. They're about the only think I purchase for home consumption anymore. The supermarkets in my area usually have a pretty limited selection, though; I have to go to a larger beverage store to find a wider variety.

If any of you live in the West or Southwest, check out BevMo. They've got good selections, and 5¢ wine sales (buy-one-get-one-free, essentially), and pretty decent selections of about anything else I've wanted to buy. Store quality does seem to vary a good bit by location though, fwiw.

[archibaldcrane]

I've never liked Malbec, hell I even poured for the Argentine Wine Merchant's festival in LA and didn't particularly like a single one I tried.

I'm not a huge pinot noir fan either, so the really light reds like that aren't for me. Although I do like Beaujolais. Who knows.

ymmv

[Anoat]

When I drink liquor, I usually go with a Jameson & Ginger Ale. Vodka cranberry is good as long as the vodka isn't shit tier. If you want to try tequila, Jose Cuervo has great marketing but shitty taste. Avoid it. Spend the extra money on Patron and feel the difference. For beers, I enjoy Magic Hat.

Now granted, this is when I am out at a bar or restaurant. If I am tailgating for football I'll drink Jaegarbombs and all the free Natty Light or Bud Light I can. Shit is situational.

[Tajin]

I've never been into Pinot Noir and dislike Cabernet and Mixes (e.g. Cabernet/Syrah/Malbec), and I'm a complete noob when it comes to white wines.

[Seraph]

If you are making a mixed drink with Vodka, generally my rule of thumb was anything at or above Smirnoff level was fine to blend since you will only really notice the booze if it's terrible (we used to call it the glass bottle only rule). If you are drinking vodka straight, you want to go with something much better. Vodka + Cranberry (+ lime to taste) was always a favorite. Vodka + Orange Juice is a classic (just don't be stupid and get OJ with pulp). Vodka and Iced Tea can be pretty good as well. I have found that a decent alternative for Vodka for people who think the taste is a little too strong is to try Bacardi Limon instead. It's a somewhat different flavor (and rum), but goes well with anything Vodka does.

If you are getting into rums/whiskey, which I have been lately since I drank entirely too much vodka in college, most people start with Jack Daniels and/or Captain Morgan. The higher quality tiers of these are pretty decent (Single Barrel and Private Stock, respectively) for shots or mixing, but my experience is that at least around where I live they are a little pricey for the quality of liquor you are getting. I also personally find almost the entire Captain line too sweet for mixing, but that comes entirely down to personal taste. Lately I have been using Maker's Mark and Knob Creek for cocktails, mixed drinks and shots. They cost a little more, but I have been finding that they are pretty decent. I'm sure that there are probably better price/quality options out there, but it takes time to sample them all... I generally mix with Pepsi Throwback (I find normal colas are a tad too syrupy), Ginger Ale, or 7Up depending on my mood. You can even get fancy and try making something more serious and traditional like a Manhattan or a Whiskey Sour. I generally find that people ease into liking those, and hate them initially.

As for Tequila, the only one of the few I have tried and enjoyed drinking straight was Patron, but it is quite pricy. I haven't tried enough of them to really have a great opinion though.

Also, lately, when making drinks for people who don't really know the difference between mediocre and more expensive stuff, I have been mixing Bacardi Oakheart (a cheapish decent spiced rum) with Throwback Pepsi and tossing in a splash of lime. I was able to pick up a few 1.75Ls for under $15 each back on Black Friday, so it doesn't break my bank when we decide to get serious about drinking. I have been trying to experiment around with different things, as my booze budget allows.

And as always with things alcohol related, your millage (and pricing) will almost certainly vary, etc.

[Ddz]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1313/8...845_z.jpg?zz=1

This is a supersonic gin & tonic. Double tanqueray, tonic, and a frozen slushy citrus shot dropped in. Have one and you're on the hot mess express.

Also: wines. I like reds that are big, chewy, and earthy. I would recommend the cabernet from Cadence winery ($50). Shannon Ridge makes a pretty good Petit Sirah that's under $15 too, if you don't want to spend that much. Bordeauxs, cabs, and sirahs all up in my wheelhouse.

[Zetanio]

Spoiler: show

Dis wut I drank

Spoiler for iPhone

[Zetanio]

It's sideways because that's how I drank it.

[Nitsuki]

i'm surprised no one mentioned baby guinesses.

shot glass of patron cafe tequila and bailey's irish creme: Pour 1/4 of the shot glass with bailey's then pour the rest with patron cafe, the bailey's moves to the top of the drink, so the mixture looks like a guiness stout, but it's a sweet drink that'll guarantee people getting messed up.

[Seraph]

i'm surprised no one mentioned baby guinesses.

shot glass of patron cafe tequila and bailey's irish creme: Pour 1/4 of the shot glass with bailey's then pour the rest with patron cafe, the bailey's moves to the top of the drink, so the mixture looks like a guiness stout, but it's a sweet drink that'll guarantee people getting messed up.

I like both of those things, and that sounds fucking delicious...

[Nitsuki]

Try it out and tell me your review. Lol

[Aylee]

I like both of those things, and that sounds fucking delicious...

Friend taking some leave and coming down from Denver today, we gonna head to the bar and try some of this shit tomorrow night i'll let you know. Seriously dough the bartenders will know wtf im talking about though, but worth a shot.