# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/41 "2005-05-04T21:52:39Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > I would recommend sherries, ports and brandies, plus sweet dessert wines like Muscato d’Asti, which is champagne-like but sweet and delightful. She’s bothered by an alcohol level of more than 12%, and you’re recommending not just sherry and port, but brandy? Do you want to kill the woman? Moscato d’Asti would work, though. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/42 "2005-05-04T21:54:17Z")
In reading further down the thread, I see you are trying for a glass of 12% and no more. The wines I suggested are higher than that, but could you drink 2/3 glass instead? You’d be getting the same amount of alcohol with an 18% port as you would with a full glass of 12%. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/43 "2005-05-04T21:54:21Z")
Campari and Orange Juice. Champagne. Bux Fizz (Champagne and Orange Juice) Pimms. And sherry for after meals. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/44 "2005-05-04T21:56:30Z")
Thanks, **Captain**. I’ve tried to rectify my blunder with my last post. ---
**Author:** ![meanoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@meanoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanoldman)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/45 "2005-05-04T21:57:39Z")
Well, to me, gin itself seems to -smell- like expensive rubbing alcohol. I say smells like because I could never bring myself to actually taste it. I don’t know if it is still popular, but for awhile there was a fad of “Gin and Juice” (Orange Juice). I think it might have been the fave of some singer/rapper, but I’m out of touch. IIRC, Sloe gin does seem rather, ahhhh, thick and viscous. But it can’t be that bad when mixed with 7-up. I know I musta had some way back when, just to see what the young ladies be drinkin, but there is no way I’d trust an alcohol hazed memory from back that far. Others have mentioned rum and cokes. However, my first massive, teenaged, sick drunk was caused by over-indulgence in rum and cokes, and to this day the thought of drinking same makes me a bit queasy… can’t even recommend it to others. Tequila Sunrises are nice… and pretty. This does bring up the notion that there are -lots- of variety in alcohol choices. Including beers that are not american light lagers and similar. ---
**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, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/46 "2005-05-04T22:13:31Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Lambic’s a fascinating choice. Don’t be thrown by the fact that it’s called a beer: it’s got the same relationship to beer that hot apple cider has to coffee. The lambics I’ve had are not the least bit bitter; they taste more than anything like Cheerwine made from fresh fruit-juice. I love lambics, but they’re not for everyone, especially the unflavored gueuzes (which I adore). _Sour_ is the key word you’re looking for here. But they are sexy, sexy drinks. The fruit flavored lambics like kriek and framboise are easier to get into, but still have that sour lambic bite that some people just don’t take to. Definitely worth a shot, though. I disagree with your analogy of lambic:beer is cider:coffee, though. Lambic is most definitely beer, made with all the normal beer ingredients (water, [stale] hops, grain [barley & wheat in this case] and yeast [wild yeasts in this case which sour the beer].) The more popular lambics are also fermented with fruit, just like some normal beers are. But, yeah, they do taste quite a bit different. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/47 "2005-05-04T23:59:17Z")
> [@aaslatten](#): > > Given your needs, I would reconsider red wine for its healthful benefits. Wines vary greatly in sweetness, acidity, etc., so you really ought to be able to find something you like. **Eve** - this isn’t bad advice. There’s a winery named [Oliver’s](http://www.oliverwinery.com/winelist.html) that makes a very nice “soft red” that I believe is 11% alcohol by volume. And it tastes nice, too. It’s not a bad beginner wine. I have no idea if completely non-alcoholic wines have the same health benefits as regular wine, but there’s also a wine by Sutter Home called “Fre” that is completely no-alcohol, but does NOT taste like grape juice. I recommend the Classic Red. The pinot grigio (I think) isn’t bad, but it’s not to my taste. STAY AWAY FROM THE FRE WHITE ZINFANDEL THOUGH - it tastes HORRIBLE. You also might consider wine spritzers (wine of your choice with soda) or wine coolers (wine of your choice with 7-up). And there’s always homemade sangria, which is generally red wine with fruit, but can be made more palatable for us non-boozers with generous additions of fruit juice - make it a sort of sangria punch. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/48 "2005-05-05T00:26:13Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Oddly enough, my doctor recommended it. He said a small amount of alcohol is actually good for you—one small glass a day. I hate to undercut your doc, but recent studies have shown that the benefits of alcohol consumption in small amounts seem to have been overstated. Particularly in people who don’t tolerate alcohol very well to begin with. Frankly, people who don’t metabolize alcohol real well often complain of nausea and headaches after imbibing small amounts. These effects are due to a buildup of acetaldehyde in the blood due to defective or under-produced aldehyde dehydrogenase. The proper treatment is to avoid alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/49 "2005-05-05T01:45:45Z")
Oh, this is all too exhausting and confusing. I’ll wander through the liquor store and see if I can find anything appealing-looking with low-alcohol; and if not, it’s back to opium and sleeping pills for _me_. I suspect **Qadgop** is right: if alcohol makes me ill, I should avoid it entirely, and get my helpful doctor to prescribe something fun in pill form. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/50 "2005-05-05T01:46:51Z")
Well, I don’t know what percentage it is, but if it’s sherry you’re after, Harvey’s Bristol Cream is quite nice. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/51 "2005-05-05T01:49:33Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > I hate to undercut your doc, but recent studies have shown that the benefits of alcohol consumption in small amounts seem to have been overstated. … CRAP! Then I can’t bring that up when my teetotaling mother clucks disapprovingly over my occasional beer. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/52 "2005-05-05T02:40:39Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > And I hate the taste of most wines and champagnes (I find them bitter or vinegary—much like myself, actually). It’s just not possible to say this about all wines, the vast number of different varieties means there are wines out there you will like, I guarantee it! And not to contradict **QtM** , but aside from the possible health benefits of a little alcohol everyday for its own sake (boomtish!) there are the benefits from the reduction in stress, plus if you take to red wine (as I think you will once you find the right type for your taste) there are anti-oxidant benefits too. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/53 "2005-05-05T03:42:58Z")
I second **Bailey’s**. You can thin it out a little (for alcohol and calories) with milk. Great instead of dessert. Also, **Amaretto** is tasty (though very sweet) with orange juice. You can also have a small measure over ice, a great drink for when you’re out in public and want to look like you’re drinking something very adult, like whiskey, while those around you sip house wine and fro frou drinks. Well, I’m off to switch doctors… ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/54 "2005-05-05T03:53:26Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > I hate to undercut your doc, but recent studies have shown that the benefits of alcohol consumption in small amounts seem to have been overstated. But consumption in _large_ amounts is still beneficial, right? Right? ::Staggers off in search of the kummel:: **Eve** , if you’re still determined to try booze, you might want to sample something like icewine, provided you don’t mind the sugar intake. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/55 "2005-05-05T03:59:24Z")
Eve, just tell your doctor alcohol isn’t your thing and insist on that opium prescription. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/56 "2005-05-05T04:02:31Z")
And if you find most wines bitter and vinegary, you might prefer kosher wines. Many wine drinkers find most kosher wines too sweet but they might be your thing. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/57 "2005-05-05T05:03:29Z")
The name is almost a joke for wino-nectar, but try _Mogen David_. It’s cheap, it’s less than 12% alcohol, and it basically tastes like grape juice with just a tiny hint of alcohol. (I’m in the exact same boat- my doctor recommended wine for my cholesterol/b.p. and I’m pretty close to a teetotaller- the snobbery in the movie _Sideways_ made me want to slap the guy [though I’d probably be the same way on a tour of Broadway Musical Country]). ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/58 "2005-05-05T06:02:04Z")
If you decide to still take it up, I suggest a sweet mead from [this](http://www.rocky-mountain-meadery.com/) meadery.I like the Guinevere, but the next one up (Launcelot, I think) will be sweeter. They are 12%. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/59 "2005-05-05T06:03:09Z")
Oh next sweeter was the Camelot, my bad. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429/60 "2005-05-05T13:01:25Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > “I like my women the way I like my coffee: cold and bitter.” For me, it’s cheap and in the neighborhood watering-hole. My GF isn’t that big of a drinker either. She tends to get Mamosas also. Alcohol content on those is whatever kind of champagne you end up using. And get the champagne in small bottles, not the larger party-sized ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-thinking-of-taking-up-drinking/302429.md?page=4)