# So, I'm thinking of taking up drinking . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 4, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429 "2005-05-04T19:27:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/1 "2005-05-04T19:27:01Z")
. . . the problem is, I’m allergic to alcohol. Anything more than _one_ smallish glass of 12% alcohol, and I get a splitting headache and nausea. So, hard liquors are _out_. And I hate the taste of most wines and champagnes (I find them bitter or vinegary—much like myself, actually). Any suggestions? What kind of drinks have no more than 12% alcohol _and_ taste good? And please don’t say “beer.” Even the smell makes me ill. —Scarlett “Neely” O’Hara ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/2 "2005-05-04T19:31:17Z")
There are sweet wines, but you’ll often be pushing the 12% alcohol boundary. Wine coolers are another option. What kind of beers have you been exposed to? There’s a world of difference between Bud Light and, say, Dogfish Head Raison d’Etre. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/3 "2005-05-04T19:31:20Z")
Bailey’s? I’ll put a shot in my coffee sometimes or you could make a White Russian. Not positive about the alcohol content but it’s pretty easy on your mouth buds. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/4 "2005-05-04T19:33:24Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > . . . the problem is, I’m allergic to alcohol. Anything more than _one_ smallish glass of 12% alcohol, and I get a splitting headache and nausea. So, hard liquors are _out_. And I hate the taste of most wines and champagnes (I find them bitter or vinegary—much like myself, actually). > > Any suggestions? What kind of drinks have no more than 12% alcohol _and_ taste good? And please don’t say “beer.” Even the smell makes me ill. Maybe you shouldn’t take up drinking after all. Anyway, there’s always those “malt beverage” drinks like Mike’s Hard Lemonade and whatnot. Of course, it’s impossible to look classy while drinking those. Your best bet will be mixed drinks. Try a rum and coke, depending on where you go, it may very well have less than 12% alcohol. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/5 "2005-05-04T19:33:55Z")
I can only picture you with a small glass of sherry in your hand. And three bottles hidden in the hall secretary. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/6 "2005-05-04T19:35:22Z")
Why in the world are you thinking of taking up drinking when you’re allergic to alcohol? Do you like the sensation of mild intoxication or something? Ain’t bein’ judgmental here, as I’m a beer drinker myself, but I’m all confused here. ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/7 "2005-05-04T19:37:42Z")
Let’s see. No liquor. No wine. No beer. Looks like you’re left with Bartles & Jaymes or fortified wines like Sherry or Port. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/8 "2005-05-04T19:45:08Z")
Somehow, the notion of **Eve** and Mad Dog 20/20 makes my happy scrappy head asplode. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/9 "2005-05-04T19:47:02Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Why in the world are you thinking of taking up drinking when you’re allergic to alcohol? Oddly enough, my doctor recommended it. He said a small amount of alcohol is actually good for you—one small glass a day. I also do want to relax and unwind after my increasingly horrific days, and do _not_ want to get into antidepressants or pot or that sort of stuff. So, I would like to be able to have one small glass of something to drink with dinner, but am limited to 12% or less alcohol. No worry about my becoming an acoholic, I’d throw up after two drinks! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/10 "2005-05-04T19:47:21Z")
Just checked… Bailey’s is 17% or 34 proof. In a WR you can either substitute it for Kahlua or use half of each. The vodka is, well… higher, but the cream can dilute the alcohol percentage to a level you find acceptable. They’re good but I quit 'em because too many will make your belt tight. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/11 "2005-05-04T19:48:15Z")
> [@Jpeg Jones](#): > > Looks like you’re left with Bartles & Jaymes or fortified wines like Sherry or Port. Ohhh, sherry, that sounds nice and Victorian ladylike! ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/12 "2005-05-04T19:50:40Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > And I hate the taste of most wines and champagnes (I find them bitter or vinegary—much like myself, actually). “I like my women the way I like my coffee: cold and bitter.” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/13 "2005-05-04T19:55:57Z")
Mixed drinks/cocktails with more mixer than booze. Baileys or Kahlua with milk. Southern Comfort with lemonade and a lemon twist. Mimosa - champagne and orange juice. Bacardi Limon and cranberry juice. What non alcoholic drinks do you like? ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/14 "2005-05-04T19:56:07Z")
I would think that many of the flavored liqueurs, cordials or schnapps in a mixed drink would be more the right speed. Plus all the suggestive names! Fuzzy Navel (OJ & peach schanpps) Toasted Almond (Milk & Amaretto), Buttery Nipple (Milk & Butterscotch schnapps). I would recommend [Webtender.com](http://Webtender.com) to get an idea of the thousands of different drinks that can be made. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/15 "2005-05-04T19:57:59Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > “I like my women the way I like my coffee: cold and bitter.” That’s funny, cause I like them like my coffee too, only for me it’s hot and Irish! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/16 "2005-05-04T20:02:25Z")
I forgot about this trick. My first wife who hardly ever drank used to love a bowl of ice-cream (plain vanilla) with her liqueur of choice poured over it and mixed through. We kept lots of different flavoured liqueurs around. It was actually pretty damn good. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/17 "2005-05-04T20:05:48Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > Your best bet will be mixed drinks. Try a rum and coke, depending on where you go, it may very well have less than 12% alcohol. 🙂 I would agree. Take your favorite mixed drink (or what looks like might be your favorite) and dilute it to a level your body can tolerate. You can make something like a sloe gin fizz (which I’ve never had, but seems palatable enough) with is relatively low in alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/18 "2005-05-04T20:13:37Z")
Chambord (raspberry flavored liqueur) is light on alcohol and wonderful with orange juice. Any liqueur, really, is the same - just need to mix it right. No blueberry schnapps with lemonade, for example. I’m not sure there’s a reason you couldn’t do straight-up vodka, though. One shot (a couple of tablespoons) in a 12- or 16-ounce glass of anything sweet or fruity probably wouldn’t be noticeable to even the least heavy lightweight. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/19 "2005-05-04T20:14:10Z")
I like [drinksmixer.com](http://drinksmixer.com) to find recipes. They list the percentage of alcohol. The original colins only had on ounce of spirit for a tall drink. I second the liqueurs over ice cream, or even shaved ice. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/20 "2005-05-04T20:20:54Z")
Ice cream? I’m trying to keep my girlish figure! All this mixing and blending . . . I’m not Texas bloody Guinan! What about this “sherry” stuff? What’s it taste like? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429.md?page=2)