I know we had it in Paris at the Greek restaurant we went to, and it was wonderful (in fact, I brought a bottle of black current home with me:) ), but I wasn't sure how wide-spread in Europe it was.

Didn't see this mentioned, but besides taking the lead from your customers/coworkers when ordering drinks, you could also ask a customer to recommend something for you. Even in just a casual way. You could also be more specific and ask them to recommend a mixed drink or a beer or a wine. Same for asking the bartender/publican or your server. That way you'd try some local favorites, and I think it presents you in a positive light.

All red wine specifics aside (obv I'm more in the boat of your husband) . . .

Fair enough - my point was more in line w/ the second paragraph than the first. No need to roll your eyes - I was asking whether you had much experience, or whether your field is different from mine . . . I'm not lampooning your intelligence or anything, so leave the guard down.

In reality, however, wine is still a perfectly proper choice in a bar situation without dinner. Assuming your business meeting occurs in a relatively nice bar, it should have enough of a wine menu to take care of what you need by the glass, or you can split the bottle.

I think it was clear that I was using this as an example of attaining a little bit of knowledge, rather than feeling that was the specific knowledge to have. You're of course correct, but that's exactly my point - put in the effort to learn, and you'll be both far more comfortable in the situation and less likely to commit a faux pas.

Comfort is incredibly important, and comes with knowledge and experience.

A good point, although many people don't know very much about specific vintages and vinyards. Learn what you like about wine, and ask for suggestions based on that. For instance, I don't like very tannic reds, which means that I gravitate towards red zins and pinor noir. There's nothing wrong with asking "What do you recommend in a brighter red?" or "I'm looking for a drier white wine - which is your favorite?"

Wow everyone! Thanks so much for all of your responses. I had totally forgotten that I asked this question.

So I see that I will be just fine as long as I stick to white zinfandel, tequila shots and amaretto sours!

Just kidding!

Seriously, thanks, you've given me a lot of options and brought up issues I didn't really consider.

Jaeger straight = YUCK Jaeger bombs = tasty goodness

First, understand that a lot of the drinks you may have loved in college (Jello Shots and that kind of thing come to mind), are pretty much "beginners" drinks -- and kind of trite.

Look at a bartenders guide and maybe try a couple of traditional drinks and see what you like.

I don't think you'll ever go wrong (socially) with a martini, gin and tonic, Manhattan, Scotch, Bourbon or other drink that any mixologist in the world will understand -- not just somebody at a college bar.

Oh, and avoid anything with little paper umbrellas in them.

As an aside, it great to watch a real mixologist at work. Someone who is a career bartender and knows how to make something more than throwing in a shot and adding something fizzy.

Any true fratter knows that the only acceptable drinks are Bourbon neat/rocks, Scotch near/rocks, Mint Juleps, Bloody Marys, Gin and Tonics, and Southern Sunrises.

I was with you until there. What the hell is a Southern Sunrise?

Early morning pre game drink. Orange Juice, Grenadine, Lemon Juice, Southern Comfort, Mint.

and if you are out of southern comfort, any old off the shelf cough syrup will do.

I like Gin and Tonic.

no.

I think I'd forget about that one is a business setting -- unless you're going to a citrus growers convention.

Absolutely, as I said, this is for early morning tailgates and before football games. Good alternative to a screwdriver or a bloody mary.