# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/161 "2014-07-30T03:09:27Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I had some ghastly Icelandic drink many years ago. I’d like to figure out what it was, since I might like it now. Might it have been [brennivín](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenniv%C3%ADn)? It’s a caraway-seed flavored schnapps, bright green with a black label. Sometimes called “Black Death” and a traditional accompaniment to a dish of rotten shark. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/162 "2014-07-30T03:34:14Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Might it have been [brennivín](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenniv%C3%ADn)? It’s a caraway-seed flavored schnapps, bright green with a black label. Sometimes called “Black Death” and a traditional accompaniment to a dish of rotten shark. Clear, colorless, with a flavor I didn’t recognize and don’t really remember. I think I would have recognized caraway, but maybe not. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/163 "2014-08-02T21:41:14Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > My first (and only) Gin & Tonic. No doubt it was cheap gin, and even cheaper tonic, and was hastily thrown together by a drunken college student rather than a trained mixologist. But still. Blech! Gin has a unique pine tree taste and if you don’t like it, it’s out. I don’t think there is a “good” gin that willl change your mind on the taste of gin. It’s not really like a pine tree though, but it has an essence. I never liked gin or martinis but when I met a good G&T summer just seemed a bit more heavenly. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/164 "2014-08-02T21:54:43Z")
Xmas Eve, circa 1987, gay men’s lounge on University Ave. Hot Toddy. Rum? Butter? God knows what else was in it. Sure, I drank more than I can remember of the putrid shit but projectile vomiting and diarrhea for two full days was a hard price to pay. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2014, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/165 "2014-08-03T01:01:02Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Gin has a unique pine tree taste and if you don’t like it, it’s out. I don’t think there is a “good” gin that willl change your mind on the taste of gin. > > It’s not really like a pine tree though, but it has an essence. [Juniper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper_berry) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/166 "2014-08-03T01:28:15Z")
When I was 8, during my first communion, I was very thirsty so I took a big swig of the wine (which I was expecting to be grape juice), dropped the chalice in shock and vomited all over the priest. I haven’t had a drop since. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/167 "2014-08-03T01:39:07Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > When I was 8, during my first communion, I was very thirsty so I took a big swig of the wine (which I was expecting to be grape juice), dropped the chalice in shock and vomited all over the priest. > > I haven’t had a drop since. And you’re totally in trouble with God. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/168 "2014-08-03T02:24:24Z")
No [DEL]love[/DEL] hate for Mad Dog 20/20? Also, Red Stag cherry flavored whiskey. I suppose it’s okay if you’re _expecting_ it to taste like cough syrup. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/169 "2014-08-03T06:09:14Z")
A bloody mary ordered at a tavern. It was much too sour-tart for my taste palette. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/170 "2014-08-03T08:34:01Z")
A college party, someone bought some cheap-ass margarita mix. It tasted like someone had melted plastic spoons into it. ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/171 "2014-08-03T11:34:31Z")
I’m a huge fan of wormwood schnapps. Haven’t tried Jeppson’s, but will have to see if I can get it somehow. I even grow my own wormwood to make it myself, the result of which is generally much more bitter, but with less sting. Lovely. Schnapps from [castoreum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castoreum), though. Thick, cloying, disgusting and doesn’t leave the palate. Easily the worst. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2014, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/172 "2014-08-03T11:51:15Z")
> [@GreenElf](#): > > A bloody mary ordered at a tavern. It was much too sour-tart for my taste palette. If the worst thing you’ve ever had was a poorly made bloody Mary you really need to get out more 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/173 "2014-08-03T12:06:06Z")
When I was in college, we threw a Caribbean themed party, with a tropical rum punch flavored with Creme de Banana. Most of the girls got sick, but the one’s that didn’t were a blast. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/174 "2014-08-03T12:23:16Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > A college party, someone bought some cheap-ass margarita mix. It tasted like someone had melted plastic spoons into it. On that note, some brilliant fellows at a party I attended in college were ladling warm, flat gin and tonic from a large bucket. It s not good. ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/175 "2014-08-04T18:38:44Z")
Let me preface this by saying that I’m not much of a drinker. When I **do** have a drink, it tends to be those on the sweeter side – the ones that will make you sick before they make you drunk. I do like the occasional margarita, daiquiri, Kahlua & cream/milk, or other “umbrella drink.” My father-in-law was incredulous that I asked for a Coke in a pub. :o While visiting Singapore I decided to try the famous Singapore Sling. Gah! It tasted like cough syrup. I thought I’d got a bad one (well, it \*\*was \*\*the Long Bar where it was invented) but no, just as bad anywhere in the city. Have refrained from trying it stateside. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > After one of my first dates with my wife, I met with her parents. Her father asked if I wanted a drink, so I asked for a gin and tonic. > > It turned out he had no tonic and rarely made highballs (he was a Manhattan drinker). He neglected to tell me he didn’t have tonic and instead took some gin (far too much) and mixed it with an ancient bottle of Schweppes Bitter Lemon, which had gone flat at least 5 years before. > > I took one sip. My date must have noticed the look on my face and she found an excuse to take it all away. Oh, **RealityChuck** , I have a similar story, but I don’t know if there was anything wrong with the drink. When I first met my mother-in-law, at her house in England, she was so nervous that she wanted a drink & insisted that she not drink alone. She made me a gin & tonic, which I thought was the most vile thing I’d ever drank. I ended up chugging it just to get it down me, but kept my fingers wrapped around the glass so she wouldn’t see that it was empty. She did, and promptly brought me another. Had I not been trying to make nice with the future in-laws I would have gagged. But, you know, first impressions & all.😛 > [@Princhester](#): > > Some friends brought something seriously nasty back from Korea once. I don’t remember what it was called. It was just awful but very potent. We kept it for ages thinking we could use it as a mixer but it was so bad it ruined everything it was mixed with Soju? I’ve not had it, but I’ve heard of it. ---
**Author:** ![notquitekarpov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@notquitekarpov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notquitekarpov)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/176 "2014-08-04T19:05:31Z")
Something called Neptak (or something like that - I have googled without success) that a friend brought back from holiday somewhere in the Eastern Med - Turkey maybe - in the 1980’s. Tasted as if made of bananas, at about 25% ABV. You couldn’t get rid of the taste - it sort of glued itself to your tongue. It was immediately consigned to be the worse level of fine imposed in late night drinking games. If you were really screwing up you got a shot of Neptak - generally one was enough to get the drunken slob that it was inflicted on to leave immediately before he earned another. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/177 "2014-08-04T19:50:03Z")
> [@kath94](#): > > While visiting Singapore I decided to try the famous Singapore Sling. Gah! It tasted like cough syrup. I thought I’d got a bad one (well, it \*\*was \*\*the Long Bar where it was invented) but no, just as bad anywhere in the city. Have refrained from trying it stateside. That’s the Benedictine in it. No idea why they originally added that; it makes the drink kind of medicinal, rather than straight-up tropical. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/178 "2014-08-04T20:13:49Z")
> [@bump](#): > > That’s the Benedictine in it. No idea why they originally added that; it makes the drink kind of medicinal, rather than straight-up tropical. I love Benedictine. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/179 "2014-08-04T20:39:43Z")
My wife made me try a Bud Light strawberry-rita thing once. _Once._ She is lucky I am too lazy to train up a new one. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897/180 "2014-08-04T20:53:55Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I love Benedictine. Assuming Google doesn’t lie I am the first person to think up the “Benedictine Arnold Palmer”…I don’t have any Benedictine sitting around at home but if you want to whip up a batch let us know how it tastes. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-alcoholic-drink-youve-ever-had/693897.md?page=10)