So you’ve just turned 18 and you feel like going on a drinking spree with your friends because, well, you finally legally can.
However, a question pops up in your mind: “What do I drink?”
You can never run out of options when it comes to alcohol. The Bottle Club wines and spirits are especially known for their variety and quality. However, it can seem quite intimidating to make a choice with all those options in front of you. You might not even know which is which. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you out.
Here is a guide to the common kinds of alcoholic beverages you’re likely to come across in your drinking sessions:
Wine
Wine is one of the most common beverages taken with meals as it is known to enhance the flavour of the food. However, just as there are dishes with different flavours, wine can also come in various types.
- Red – This type can be broken down into three categories: full-bodied, medium-bodied, and light-bodied. Red wine is appropriate for meat-based dishes, such as steak and chicken.
- White – Compared to red wine, this has a lighter body and is thus easier on the palate. It’s compatible with lighter dishes like salmon.
- Port – Also called a “dessert wine,” port is often drunk during or after dessert. Because of this and the fact that it’s sweet-tasting, not many people know that it is also a type of wine.
Beer
If you’re a total beginner to beer drinking, it’s best to start with something light that has low to moderate alcohol content. If you’ve built up your tolerance, only then can you move on to heavier kinds. There are just two main beer categories:
- Lager – This is the lightest version of beer and can come in various colors: pale yellow, amber, and dark yellow. They have a light body and low to moderate alcohol content.
- Ale – This label refers to beer that is darker-colored, heavier bodied, and stronger. Such beer typically has moderate to high alcohol content.
Spirits
These are called “hard liquor” for a good reason. If you’re still a novice in drinking, you’re best off staying away from these kinds of beverages until you’ve built up some level of tolerance for alcohol. There are also different kinds of spirits:
- Vodka – It’s not often recommended for beginners to drink vodka solely on its own as it has high alcohol content. It is best enjoyed as part of a cocktail, but still in moderation.
- Whiskey – This can be enjoyed in various ways: straight up, with or without ice; or as part of a cocktail. If you’re a beginner to whiskey, the best way to enjoy it is to enjoy it with a single mixer, such as a club soda or ginger ale.
- Gin – Orange, strawberry, ginger, blueberry, and more—there are different flavors of gin in the market. If you’re a beginner, however, you’re best off trying the unflavored kind with a single mixer or in a cocktail.
- Rum – There are three main types of this liquor: white, dark, and spiced. As with other spirits, rum can be enjoyed with a mixer or in a cocktail, but it is often best enjoyed neat, with ice.
- Tequila – Not many people know there are different kinds of tequila: silver, joven, reposado, anejo, and extra anejo. They have been classified based on the coloring, appearance, and aging process of the tequila.
- Brandy – This is a hard liquor distilled from wine and is usually enjoyed as an after-dinner drink. We suggest you try brandy as part of a cocktail first before you attempt to enjoy it neat as it can be a little too strong.
Conclusion
The above is just a compilation of the alcoholic drinks you’ll often encounter. While it might not be a totally complete list, we hope you have learned more about alcohol from it. Follow our recommendations to make sure you have an enjoyable drinking experience. If you want to try new cocktails, you should get you liquor stock from liquor store englewood co.
