Noob Drinks

[AndrewWiggin]

Never had a drink before, my friends want to get me something nice to enjoy with a cigar for my 21st birthday.

Any recommendations? Seriously, I've no clue what my tolerance for alcohol will be/what I want, anything. That's not true, I know I don't want beer, one of my friends wants to bring a six pack and I'm not really interested in that at all.

Aside from that, I need a lot of help.

 

[castlecraver]

Gin & tonic. Might as well get that phase outta the way early.

 

[kazeshini]

Never had a drink before, my friends want to get me something nice to enjoy with a cigar for my 21st birthday.

Any recommendations? Seriously, I've no clue what my tolerance for alcohol will be/what I want, anything. That's not true, I know I don't want beer, one of my friends wants to bring a six pack and I'm not really interested in that at all.

Aside from that, I need a lot of help.

Depends on the Cigar. But you can't go wrong with whiskey. I'd recommend a nice Scotch or Irish - NOT Jameson.

Honestly my favorite is Irish Mist, which is a whiskey liqueur. Blended whiskey with herbs and honey. It's still got a kick with enough sweetness to help a noob (imo) down a hard drink. If Irish whiskey is not your thing Drambuie is similar, based on Scotch and Yukon Jack is Canadian Whiskey with honey.

BUT ... why no beer?

 

[boboakalfb]

You could also enjoy the cigar with a nice cup of coffee and save the drinks for after.

 

[Alaskan Eagle]

I like to smoke my pipe with a nice Scotch. My favorite is The Glenlivet. Finishes off a great day when you have a glass of that and a smoke.

 

[luvmysuper]

You could also enjoy the cigar with a nice cup of coffee and save the drinks for after.

+2 on that. Coffee cleanses the palate and allows you to truly enjoy the cigar.
Save the palate dulling drink for later.

 

[TwelveBravo]

As mentioned previously Gin & Tonic is the way to go. Straight forward. Uncomplicated. My favorite.

 

[Edcculus]

Stone Ruination IPA.

Ha, seriously though, beer is a true gentleman's drink. Sierra Nevada Porter might be a good choice. Its a relatively tame porter, and the roasted malts should go well with a cigar.

 

[kazeshini]

Stone Ruination IPA.

Ha, seriously though, beer is a true gentleman's drink. Sierra Nevada Porter might be a good choice. Its a relatively tame porter, and the roasted malts should go well with a cigar.

How does Sierra compare with Yeungling's Porter? I've just tried Yeungling's today and love it. It is now my second favorite a distant second to Guinness. honestly, every bottle is bringing it closer to Guinness though.

What are some other porters I should look for?

 

[TimmyBoston]

If you've never drank before stick to beer. Also be prepared not to like alcohol. It is an acquired taste.

 

[Lo'Tek]

I'm not a stogie sucker theese days, but when I did, they go good with a smoky/nutty Burgundy. - - - ->

 

[Subcutaneous]

Nice burbon or scotch hits the spot most days

 

[boboakalfb]

What are some other porters I should look for?

Deschutes Black Butte Porter is one to keep a lookout for.

 

[Macion grey]

Armagnac mate. Be sure to pour it in a snifter, so as to warm it in the cup of your hand. This is essental to experiencing any brandy properly.

 

[Frank7580]

Pretty good recommendations all around. I especially like The Glenlivet vote if for the nose alone.

However, don't feel compelled to drink (particularly to excess) just because it's the thing to do on your 21st. Some people may have good memories of over consumption of alcohol but they're often the exception.

I've been learning to appreciate the taste of a good whisky/bourbon/beer/wine for many years. The most satisfying aspect of this process for me is the journey.

Additionally, there's no quicker way to severely retard or completely crush an appreciation for any type of alcohol than to over-indulge

 

[redgrandam]

Likely the only think you will 'like' right off the bat will probably be mixed drinks, perhaps rum and coke type thing. My wife loves Gin and Tonic as listed above, but I hate it. You will soon figure out what you like and don't like after a few samples from a few items. I am willing to bet that at least at first you will think beer tastes disgusting, I quickly learned to like it, and enjoy beer occasionally.


On thing is for sure, your tolerance will be low low low. lol.. You will find that if you go a while between drinks (i.e. weeks or months vs days) you tolerance will drop down. It kind of builds up with most people. Just exercise caution, or you will learn the hard way where your tolerance limit is

 

[galopede]

I, like a lot of my generation in the UK (I'm 57) started off on cider (Hard cider I think it's called over there)

My father bought me my first half pint when I was going on 15. Not sure why but back then, my parents thought that beer was for adults and cider for kids. I think the cider in general was stronger than the beer!

A medium sweet cider is very easy drinking for a newby to alcohol. I'm just very suprised you've managed to get to 21 without drinking!

Gareth

 

[Mazeman]

I'm sorry, but a gin and tonic simply does not go well with a cigar. The OP would risk disliking both.

If you're not ready to try Scotch, or a Manhattan, or bourbon, or Cognac, etc, then you're better off just drinking a full-flavored beer, or coffee.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Guys, the suggestions in this thread are great. Some really great stuff, but guys the OP has never drank before. Would you really like the stuff you're suggesting never having had a sip of alcohol? I have a huge whisky collection (which I adore) but to someone who's never drank before; it's all gross.

To the OP: You seem dead set against beer, I really think that is your best bet, it's low alcohol, easier to control and a classic, but you are unwilling to try it, go easy. Don't go crazy the cocktails, try simple stuff and have the bartender (or your buddy who's playing bartender) make the drinks on the light side. Have a rum and coke, try a Jack Daniel and Coke, try to a very basic cocktail like that that will emulate a flavor you already like.

Good luck, have fun, stay safe and stay out of jail!

 

[Erebos]

Save the drinking for after the cigar and stick with simple mixed drinks. Make yourself something like a nice rum and coke, whiskey and coke, or screwdriver, and make it weak. It will help you pace yourself, and also dull the taste of the alcohol, which you probably won't like at first.

It's probably a good call on not going with beer. There is plenty of good beer to be had out there, but like all alcohol it's an aquired taste, and since it's your birthday you might as well drink things you'll like and save the learning experiences for later.