Lena Savoie
If you're trying alcohol for the first time, it's important to remember to drink responsibly and in moderation. It is recommended to start with drinks with a low ABV (Alcohol-By-Volume) such as cocktails, beer, or wine. Cocktails tend to be tall, fizzy, and slightly sweet, with the alcohol masked by syrups and juices. Beer and wine can help you learn your boundaries and how alcohol makes you feel. If you're into fruity drinks, you might like a hurricane or a blue lagoon. For bold flavors, try a Jack and Coke, and for something sour, a margarita. If you like simple drinks, vodka with Sprite or lemonade is a good choice. If you're looking for something stronger, you might want to try a gin and tonic, a martini, or a dark and stormy (a cocktail with dark rum, ginger beer, and lime). Remember to always drink water between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated and pace yourself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol type | Beer, wine, cocktails, spirits |
| ABV | Low |
| Drink with food | Yes, alcohol is absorbed more slowly when consumed with food |
| Drink with water | Yes, alcohol is dehydrating |
| Drink type | Fizzy, sweet, diluted, mixed |
| Examples | Aperol Spritz, Malibu and pineapple, gin and tonic, Jack and Coke, vodka and Sprite, Pimm's, port wine, rum and Coke, Amaretto, Tequila Rose, Laphroaig scotch |
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What You'll Learn
Cocktails are a good starting point
If you're new to drinking alcohol, cocktails are a good starting point. They are often more palatable to newcomers than straight spirits or neat drinks. Cocktails typically contain juices or syrups that mask the taste of alcohol and reduce its strength. However, be aware that sweeter cocktails can reduce your perception of alcohol, causing you to drink faster, so always be mindful of your consumption.
Cocktails are a great way to explore different spirits and discover your preferences. For example, if you're hesitant about gin, you might try a gin-based cocktail like an Alexander or a gin and tonic. If you're unsure about bourbon, a Mint Julep cocktail can be a refreshing introduction to the spirit. Similarly, a Dark and Stormy cocktail can be an excellent way to ease into dark rum, as the tang of ginger beer and citrus shout of lime complement the rum nicely.
If you're looking for a tequila cocktail, Persephone's Elixir is a fruity and less well-known alternative to the classic margarita, which can be badly made and put someone off tequila. For a vodka cocktail, a simple mix of vodka with Sprite or lemonade is a popular choice, or you could try something more adventurous, like a Long Island Iced Tea.
When drinking alcohol for the first time, it's important to pace yourself and drink responsibly. Start with low ABV (Alcohol-By-Volume) drinks, and remember to eat before and during your drinking session. Drink water between alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated, as alcohol is dehydrating. Most importantly, don't feel pressured to drink more than you're comfortable with, and always make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Try low ABV drinks
If you're trying alcohol for the first time, it's a good idea to start with low ABV (Alcohol-By-Volume) drinks. This will help you to understand your boundaries and how alcohol affects your body. Drinks with a lower alcohol content give you more time to rationalize what you are feeling.
Cocktails are a good way to start as the alcohol is often masked by syrups, juices, and mixers. Aperol Spritz is a popular, easy-to-drink, wine-based cocktail with a bitter-sweet taste. It's a good introduction to cocktails and long drinks. Another option is to start with mixed drinks such as rum and coke, screwdrivers, or vodka with a mixer like Sprite, lemonade, or Red Bull. You could also try a Jack and Coke, or a Gin and Tonic.
If you're looking for a beer, a basic beer like Modelo Especial or Michelob Ultra is a good starting point. Beer is a good choice as it's harder to get blackout drunk off it compared to stronger drinks. Redds Apple Ale is another good option, which also comes in Black Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry.
If you're looking for a wine, port wine is considered a good tasting wine for beginners due to its sweet taste. It's often used as a dessert wine, but it can get you drunk quickly!
It's important to remember to pace yourself and not to drink on an empty stomach. Food, especially protein, slows down the absorption of alcohol, so it's a good idea to eat a meal before drinking. Make sure to drink water between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated and help slow down your alcohol levels.
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Avoid shots
If you're drinking alcohol for the first time, it's best to avoid shots. Shots are much stronger than a glass of wine or beer, and can be quite a bit for a first-timer to take in.
It's always better to have a cocktail or a mixed drink than a neat drink when you're drinking alcohol for the first time. Cocktails are a good way to start—tall, fizzy, and slightly sweet, with the alcohol masked by syrups and juices. Just remember that sweeter cocktails can reduce your perception of how much alcohol you're consuming, and you may end up drinking faster.
If you're drinking a cocktail, make sure to pace yourself. Alcohol takes time to enter your bloodstream, so you won't feel the effects right away. It takes an hour to process a single unit of alcohol, so take your time and don't drink more than you feel comfortable with.
It's also a good idea to eat something before and during your drinking session. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause alcohol to enter your bloodstream more quickly. Food, especially protein-rich meals and nuts, can slow down the absorption of alcohol and give your body more time to break it down.
Some good starter cocktails include a Jack & Coke, Gin & Tonic, or a Rum & Coke. You can also try mixed drinks like vodka with Sprite or lemonade, or beer, such as Modelo Especial or Michelob Ultra.
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Drink with food
If you're drinking alcohol for the first time, it's a good idea to have some food beforehand. This is because drinking on an empty stomach means that the alcohol is almost instantly absorbed into the blood, and you'll feel the effects much more quickly. Eating protein-rich foods before drinking alcohol can help to slow down the rate at which your stomach empties, giving your body more time to process the alcohol. Good sources of protein include eggs, salmon, and Greek yoghurt. Bananas are also a good snack to have before drinking, as they are high in potassium, which can be depleted when drinking alcohol due to increased urination.
It's also important to eat food while you're drinking alcohol. This will help to slow down your drinking and can make it easier to pace yourself. It's also a good idea to drink water alongside your alcoholic drinks, as alcohol is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration.
If you're drinking alcohol for the first time, it's recommended to start with drinks that are low in alcohol volume. Cocktails are a good option, as they combine sweetness, juices, and other flavours, masking the taste of the alcohol. Some good cocktails to start with include a Dark and Stormy (dark rum, ginger beer, and lime), a Gin and Tonic, or a Jack and Coke. If you're drinking at a bar, you could also ask the bartender to create a tasting menu for you, so that you can try a variety of drinks.
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Choose your favourite flavours
If you're into fruity drinks, try something like a hurricane or a blue lagoon. A strawberry cream liqueur and tequila, known as Tequila Rose, is delicately flavoured and refreshing. A popular tequila-based cocktail is Persephone's Elixir, which includes pomegranate and orange.
For those who like bold flavours, a jack and coke is a good combination. If you like sour, a margarita is a good option. If you're a fan of simple, go for a vodka and sprite, or a gin and tonic.
If you like your drinks to taste like dessert, try a grasshopper or a buttery nipple. For a chocolate and alcohol combination, try a gin-based Alexander, or a gin and chocolate cocktail.
If you're a fan of gin, try a Pimm's, which is a sweet brown liquor that is traditionally served with fruit. If you don't like gin, try a Mint Julep, which is a good introduction to bourbon.
If you like rum, try a Dark and Stormy, which combines dark rum with ginger beer and lime. Malibu, a coconut rum, goes well with pineapple.
If you're looking for a smooth alcoholic drink, try an Irish whiskey or a German Jagermeister, which is made with 56 herbs.
If you're looking for a beer, try a basic beer like Modelo Especial or Michelob Ultra. If you like apple, try Redd's Apple Ale, which also comes in Black Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry.
If you're looking for a wine, port wine is considered a good tasting wine for beginners.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to start with drinks that have a low ABV (Alcohol-By-Volume) and to avoid shots. Cocktails are a good choice for first-time drinkers as the alcohol is often masked by syrups and juices. Aperol Spritz is a popular choice for a first-time drinker as it is wine-based, sparkling, and bitter-sweet. Another option is to start with a mixed drink such as vodka with Sprite, lemonade, or Red Bull.
It is important not to drink on an empty stomach as alcohol will enter your bloodstream more quickly. It is recommended to eat a meal rich in protein before drinking as it takes a while to digest, slowing down your alcohol levels. Drinking water before and during a drinking session will also help.
The Alexander is a good choice for those who are gin-shy as it is a dessert-style cocktail. The Mint Julep is a good first bourbon drink, capturing the bright chill of springtime. For those who are adverse to rum, a Dark and Stormy is a refreshing drink that combines dark rum with ginger beer and lime.
If you like fruity drinks, a hurricane or a blue lagoon could be good options. Alternatively, if you want something sweeter, you can try Cabo with pineapple juice.
If you like simpler drinks, vodka with Sprite or lemonade is a good option. Beer is also a good choice for first-time drinkers as it is easier to drink than harder alcohol and you won't get blackout drunk off it.
