# What is the worst alcoholic drink you've ever had? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897 "2014-07-24T01:51:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/101 "2014-07-24T18:40:22Z")
I once tried a mint julep. Tasted like mint-flavored toothpaste. Blah. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/102 "2014-07-24T18:45:32Z")
> [@Ruby\_Slippers](#): > > The worst I can recall is scotch and soda – inspired by the Kingston Trio song of the same name. It was many years before I ever tasted scotch again, only to discover that single malt, straight up or on the rocks, is very good stuff. So then I tasted Laphroaig and almost changed my mind again. I’m sure it has its fans, but to me it tasted like dirty sweat socks – not that I know from personal experience what dirty sweat socks taste like! Yeah, you’d want to stay away from Islay malts in general. What you’re tasting is peat. If you’re wondering what the “peaty” component in a Scotch whisky is, taste some Laphroaig or Ardbeg and you’ll know. I happen to like peat, but it can be quite an acquired taste. I bet you would enjoy something like The Macallan, or generally the Speyside malts, which tend to be a bit sweeter and less “extreme.” That’s a wonderful Scotch, and was my favorite for awhile until I got burnt out on Speysides. (I cycle through tastes in pretty much all the alcoholic beverages I drink, though I tend to favor drier, more bitter flavors overall.) ---
**Author:** ![FoundWaldo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@FoundWaldo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoundWaldo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/103 "2014-07-24T19:02:29Z")
Probably the worst thing I’ve ever had that tasted the way it was supposed to is Fernet Branca, as mentioned upthread. I know it’s trendy to drink, but I can’t stand it. I’ve also had some memorable improperly-made cocktails that were pretty bad. Recently I got a margarita at one of those fancy movie theaters where they serve you food and drink at your seat. Based on the way it tasted, I think it was just bottled lime juice (unsweetened, not Rose’s) and tequila. So sour I couldn’t drink it. And once in my young, stupid years I tried to make a white Russian (bad enough already), but didn’t have the right ingredients. So I got by with what we had. Absolut flavored vodka (I forget which flavor it was) and Baileys. I couldn’t drink ANYTHING for a while after that… ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/104 "2014-07-24T19:11:22Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > = The rocket fuel was just about drinkable until I added some Bailey’s and the whole concoction congealed. I am sad to say I drank it anyway. Bleh. Ahh yeah, the old cement mixer. Traditionally given as the 21st shot for someone who actually makes it that far on their 21st birthday. Just so no one can say they did it without throwing up, and making sure that they do, so they make it to their 22nd birthday . 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/105 "2014-07-24T19:12:08Z")
In the deep dark beginnings of the Boone’s Farm “winery” they started with an apple wine. This was, at least locally, sold out of the cooler for under a dollar a bottle. Not knowing any better, we would often stop at our local liquor store and buy all of the cold Boone’s Farm they had. We would ice it down is a wash tub, and pretty much keep drinking until it was gone. Boone’s Farm Apple “Wine” left a fearsome hangover. I have never drank it myself, but a friend of mine’s usual drink is Captain Morgan and Diet Dr. Pepper… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/106 "2014-07-24T22:15:19Z")
I had a homebrew go bad. Tasted like a Guinness with burned rubber in it. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/107 "2014-07-24T22:35:46Z")
[Unicum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicum). The Hungarian “national liquor.” Holy shit is that stuff bad - worse than Jägermeister. Dark, bitter, tasted like turpentine. I spit it out. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/108 "2014-07-24T23:03:22Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > [Unicum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicum). > > The Hungarian “national liquor.” Holy shit is that stuff bad - worse than Jägermeister. Dark, bitter, tasted like turpentine. I spit it out. Yes, it’s definitely more bitter/herbal than Jager. Unfortunately (at least for me, as I love the stuff), it’s no longer distributed in the US. There’s something similar called “Zwack Liqueur,” which is marketed as “Unicum Next” in Hungary. It’s a sweeter, more mellow and citrussy version of Unicum. That one is found in the US (but I personally don’t think it’s any good. Unicum is king when it comes to bitters/herbal liqueurs.) ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/109 "2014-07-24T23:26:40Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Might I suggest that if you have to choose between a case of that and a sip of the Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Ale, you gladly take the case and not look back? > [@kayaker](#): > > Not a lotta love for the smokey beers, huh? Gotta say I loved the Rogue/Voodoo donut beers, especially the bacon-maple ale. I actually enjoyed the Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Maple Bacon. Probably the only Rogue beer I’ve ever enjoyed, aside from Dead Guy, which is extremely mediocre. IME, Rogue Brewery is just that: extremely mediocre at best. Their prices would have you think they made the greatest beer on earth, though. Kind of the Dave Matthews Band of breweries, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/110 "2014-07-25T00:00:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yes, it’s definitely more bitter/herbal than Jager. Unfortunately **(at least for me, as I love the stuf**f), it’s no longer distributed in the US. There’s something similar called “Zwack Liqueur,” which is marketed as “Unicum Next” in Hungary. It’s a sweeter, more mellow and citrussy version of Unicum. That one is found in the US (but I personally don’t think it’s any good. Unicum is king when it comes to bitters/herbal liqueurs.) I tried it on my one trip to Hungary. You are clearly made of sterner stuff than me - that stuff was ghastly. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/111 "2014-07-25T00:04:24Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I tried it on my one trip to Hungary. You are clearly made of sterner stuff than me - that stuff was ghastly. Malort is a hell of a lot worse, if you can imagine that. At least in my opinion. All my family loves Unicum, but we do have a “bitter tooth,” if there’s such a thing. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/112 "2014-07-25T00:24:21Z")
There is a two-way tie for this. Both are admittedly gag drinks, but I did have them: [Cement Mixer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement_Mixer_%28drink%29) [Jersey Turnpike](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jersey%20Turnpike%20Shot) The first is the drink you can chew, and the second is something you would give to someone you hate. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/113 "2014-07-25T00:49:31Z")
I’ve posted this elsewhere, but Baijiu is not just the worst alcoholic drink, it’s basically just the worst thing in general. In my own words: > [@](#): > > Baijiu is, without question, the most unholy disgusting liquid on earth. It doesn’t matter if you have the twenty cent bottle or the three hundred dollar bottle. The taste is kerosene, honey, anise, ammonia and tears. It burns going down, then spreads a sickly warmth like a fever, and then leaves you nauseated and filled with regret. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/114 "2014-07-25T02:17:56Z")
It would be a tie between Buckhorn beer and the time I mixed rum with water and tobasco sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/115 "2014-07-25T02:20:55Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Jagermeister. I tasted it once and wanted to vomit. I used to drink tons of Jagermeister (I don’t drink anymore.) When I used to play in a dart league our team name was “56 Herbs.” ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/116 "2014-07-25T02:39:57Z")
I happen to like Jager, and herby type stuff and love decent tequila and single malts but I have had really bad experiences with Slivovic, and absinthe. Especially absinthe, erk… The worst thing I ever had was, unsurprisingly, my 20s when one of my “friends” ordered me a mat shot. You go up to the bartender and have them drain the spill mat into a glass and flush with the cheapest mezcal or tequila if it doesn’t go to the top of the glass. Yuck-o; instant trip to talk to ralph. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/117 "2014-07-25T03:28:59Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I had a homebrew go bad. Tasted like a Guinness with burned rubber in it. Ugh. Autolysis. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/118 "2014-07-25T04:32:22Z")
I’ll give a hearty thumbs down to Captain Morgan’s Spiced rum, Jagermeister, Southern Comfort, and Jim Beam with the cherry flavoring added. Not together (although that would probably _also_ merit a thumbs down). Those are just a few of the alcoholic beverage flavors I never want to have in my mouth again. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2014, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/119 "2014-07-25T04:35:18Z")
Oh, god, that cherry Jim Beam is just atrocious. Why the fuck would you do that to a whiskey? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/120 "2014-07-25T04:39:11Z")
Yeah that was a terrible ideas. I also cannot for the life of me understand the attraction of Southern Comfort. Whiskey should not be cloyingly sweet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897.md?page=7)