Favorite Alcoholic Beverage...

[Adamm0621]

Here's the problem... I'm starting to get tired of my go-to drinks.  I drink a variety of beer, and I love trying new beers, but lately I've been drinking liquor.  My alcohol of choice is usually either vodka or tequila, and getting drunk isn't the goal, so I don't do shots too often.  As a disclaimer, I had a bad experience with whiskey when I was younger, and that sort of killed it for me.  The smell of Jack Daniels still makes me nauseous.

I guess what I am looking for is an easy to make, yet thoroughly enjoyable mixed drink to make at home.

Ready... Go!!

[ducpainter]

This is a topic I have some experience with...

Vodka is good with almost any citrus mixer.

It is also good with things like Fresca if you want to avoid the carbs associated with juice.

It is also good straight, or with olives and olive juice of all flavors.

You can't go wrong with vodka.

Tekillya is also good. My favorite mix is Cuervo, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and lime.

[teddy037.3]

if you can find lillet, the vesper is my favorite mixed drink.

2 gin, 1 vodka, 1/2 lillet

martinis are easy to make as well

higher end tequilas are good to sip on. and by high end, I don't mean patron.

[The Bearded Duc]

White rum, fresh lime, simple syrup, and mint leaves. An easy to make and refreshing daiquiri, especially for the summer!

Add any kind of muddled berry for another easy change of flavor.



Mules are always good. Vodka, lime, and ginger beer.

Another good drink is a Dark and Stormy, same as a mule but with rum.

[Adamm0621]

Martinis are one of those drinks I haven't gotten around to yet.  They used to be such a manly drink, but everywhere I go now, it seems the choices are Appletini, or some other chick drink... Don't get me wrong, chick drinks are delicious, but my man card has been holding me back.

[teddy037.3]

Martinis are one of those drinks I haven't gotten around to yet.  They used to be such a manly drink, but everywhere I go now, it seems the choices are Appletini, or some other chick drink... Don't get me wrong, chick drinks are delicious, but my man card has been holding me back.

those aren't martinis. those are chick drinks in a different glass.  if I pour a beer into my cocktail glass, it's not a beertini, is it?

[Adamm0621]

Good point...

[teddy037.3]

gin, vermouth, garnish.

that's a martini 

[d3vi@nt]

Like rum? How about a rum punch? Glass of tropical juice (like Naked juice or Odwalla blend), shot of rum, few dashes of bitters and some fresh grated nutmeg. Perfect for summer and somewhat healthy.  Or find some strong ginger ale (like Reed's) and add a shot of rum and squeeze of lime = 'Dark and Stormy'.

[DarkMonster620]

Beer[preferably European-Belgian/German], Rum[at least 7yrs old, pref dark], Bourbon, Whiskey, Vodka, Creme de Menthe, Wine, Champange

[1.21GW]

Spend $18 on this:

http://www.amazon.com/Speakeasy-Employees-Classic-Cocktails-Reimagined/dp/158008253X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398910969&sr=8-2&keywords=employees+only+drinks

You won't be sorry.  They tell you how to make classic cocktails well.   I really like their lime cordial, which I use to make tequila gimlets.  Simple and good.  My second favorite behind old fashions. 

....speaking of which, regarding your whiskey issue.  I had the same situation---bad experience at 18 (drank nearly a bottle of Johnny Walker one night)---hangover from hell and after the smell of brown liquor made me nauseous for the next 15 years.  I recently decided I needed to remedy that, and so I started with drinks that had whiskey as an element, but not a strong whiskey taste (whiskey sours are good for that), then worked to more and more whiskey-ish drinks, eg mint juleps and then old fashions.  Now whiskey is my favorite liquor and I generally drink it on rocks straight.  This process took maybe six months.  Just letting you know recovery is possible. 

[Adamm0621]

....speaking of which, regarding your whiskey issue.  I had the same situation---bad experience at 18 (drank nearly a bottle of Johnny Walker one night)---hangover from hell and after the smell of brown liquor made me nauseous for the next 15 years.  I recently decided I needed to remedy that, and so I started with drinks that had whiskey as an element, but not a strong whiskey taste (whiskey sours are good for that), then worked to more and more whiskey-ish drinks, eg mint juleps and then old fashions.  Now whiskey is my favorite liquor and I generally drink it on rocks straight.  This process took maybe six months.  Just letting you know recovery is possible. 

That's not a bad idea... I used to hate being a picky eater when I was younger, so I forced myself to eat certain foods until I liked them.  I remember not liking onions, tomatoes, or green peppers, so I would order a salad at lunch almost every day in high school (I was also trying to watch my weight), and I ate them until I liked them.  Now, those three are some of my favorite vegetables (even though tomatoes are a fruit).

Perhaps the same thing applies to alcohol.  When I was 16 and had no concept of alcohol, I killed 3/4 of a bottle of Jack Daniels within half an hour or so.  I'm lucky I didn't die.  Your approach seems reasonable.  I think I'll give it a try. 

[1.21GW]

I actually teamed up with a whiskey drinker friend and we watched a movie and drank a new bourbon/whiskey every week during the winter.  Worked like a charm.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18154.msg1227852#msg1227852

[Adamm0621]

if you can find lillet, the vesper is my favorite mixed drink.

2 gin, 1 vodka, 1/2 lillet

martinis are easy to make as well

higher end tequilas are good to sip on. and by high end, I don't mean patron.

Vesper... Wasn't that a reference in Casino Royale?

[brimo]

Like rum? How about a rum punch? Glass of tropical juice (like Naked juice or Odwalla blend), shot of rum, few dashes of bitters and some fresh grated nutmeg. Perfect for summer and somewhat healthy.  Or find some strong ginger ale (like Reed's) and add a shot of rum and squeeze of lime = 'Dark and Stormy'.

I second this, rums vary greatly in flavour though, I prefer a dark jamaican rum like Captain Morgan with my Dark'n'stormy.  A lighter cuban gold rum (like havana club) with fruit juice based drinks or straight up over ice with a wedge of lime.