What kind of drinks should I order?

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I suggest a glass of champagne or wine.

I have heard stories of people who got drunk at work related events and suffered consequences including being fired so know your limit.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Peaches-n-Cream

I suggest a glass of champagne or wine.

I have heard stories of people who got drunk at work related events and suffered consequences including being fired so know your limit.

I would only have a drink at a work related event if the other women were drinking, and then, keep it light - like champagne, wine, or a champagne cocktail. Think Bridget Jones.

I love good Scotch, and like to try different drinks, but not at a work related function - you don't know how it will affect you, and it's best to find out when your future isn't at stake!

[Taualumna]

I'd order wine. If you don't feel like drinking, you can always have some sparkling mineral water with lime.

[sdbeta1]

You definitely have to go with Amaretto Sour. A martini or vodka tonic would be the only other exceptions, depending on the situation. The amaretto sour is extremely classy, tastes delightful and will be available everywhere. I would be taken aback if a lady I was doing business with ordered harder alcohol such as scotch, rum, whiskey, or gin. Wine has side effects such as adding a lot of color to the face, and causing tiredness.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by sdbeta1

You definitely have to go with Amaretto Sour. A martini or vodka tonic would be the only other exceptions, depending on the situation. The amaretto sour is extremely classy, tastes delightful and will be available everywhere. I would be taken aback if a lady I was doing business with ordered harder alcohol such as scotch, rum, whiskey, or gin. Wine has side effects such as adding a lot of color to the face, and causing tiredness.

The probelm with an Amaretto Sour is that some places really don't know how to make them, and they wind up tasting horrible. One of my favorite restraunts (before they closed ) always made them horrible, no matter who was at the bar...and I love Amaretto Sours, it's one of my favorite drinks

[AOIIBrandi]

I would go with something simple like a Vodka Tonic or Red Wine. Red is an aquired taste, but very sophisticated.

[xo_kathy]

Originally Posted by sdbeta1

You definitely have to go with Amaretto Sour. A martini or vodka tonic would be the only other exceptions, depending on the situation. The amaretto sour is extremely classy, tastes delightful and will be available everywhere. I would be taken aback if a lady I was doing business with ordered harder alcohol such as scotch, rum, whiskey, or gin. Wine has side effects such as adding a lot of color to the face, and causing tiredness.

Amaretto Sour reminds me of girls in college who couldn't stand the taste of liquor so they ordered something "yummy". Doesn't say sophisticated to me at all.

Avoid red wine because it often causes your teeth/lips to turn purple, and if you spill it on someone it's a mess to get out.

White wine is a good idea, but depending on the bar may be really cheap. Something like a Vodka Tonic is probably a good bet.

I myself am a fan of flavored vodka (preferably raspberry, but orange is more common) and club soda. It's a clear drink so spilling/staining isn't an issue, and the club soda helps to keep you a little more hydrated, IMO.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Amaretto Sour reminds me of girls in college who couldn't stand the taste of liquor so they ordered something "yummy". Doesn't say sophisticated to me at all.

Avoid red wine because it often causes your teeth/lips to turn purple, and if you spill it on someone it's a mess to get out.

White wine is a good idea, but depending on the bar may be really cheap. Something like a Vodka Tonic is probably a good bet.

I myself am a fan of flavored vodka (preferably raspberry, but orange is more common) and club soda. It's a clear drink so spilling/staining isn't an issue, and the club soda helps to keep you a little more hydrated, IMO.

At a dinner event either white or red is perfectly acceptable. What you choose to order for your meal should also play a role in what kind of wine you choose to indulge in. Pre-dinner should be your time for cocktails. A dry martini with a twist is always a good choice, as is gin.

SDbeta...you say you would be taken back if a lady ordered hard liquor, yet you said to order a martini at dinner? 1.) I wouldn't advise ordering a martini at the dinner table. 2.) It doesn't get much harder than a martini straight up.....unless you are ordering something along the lines of vodka rocks or whiskey/scotch "neat".

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Amaretto Sour reminds me of girls in college who couldn't stand the taste of liquor so they ordered something "yummy". Doesn't say sophisticated to me at all.

So this doesn't say "sophisticated", but Stoli Razz does? I don't quite follow - I think you're making a poor association here.

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Avoid red wine because it often causes your teeth/lips to turn purple, and if you spill it on someone it's a mess to get out.

White wine is a good idea, but depending on the bar may be really cheap. Something like a Vodka Tonic is probably a good bet.

Red wine is fine - it can turn teeth/lips red, but not necessarily on the first glass, and if there is ANYTHING available to clean the mouth (water, food) then you'll be fine. Spilling should not be a worry, if you're at all on your game and drinking in moderation.

I don't know how many business dinners of this type you've attended, but quite a few deals and discussions in my particular field are done over red wine - being able to order or discuss wine selection is a decent skill to acquire (and will prevent you from being stuck with the 'cheap' white - I'm assuming these meetings aren't at 'cheap white wine' bars).

If nothing else, be able to pronounce "beaujolais" . . .

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

I myself am a fan of flavored vodka (preferably raspberry, but orange is more common) and club soda. It's a clear drink so spilling/staining isn't an issue, and the club soda helps to keep you a little more hydrated, IMO.

Carbonated beverages actually increase the absorption of alcohol in the stomach, getting it into the blood faster - hydration would not be my first concern here.

As far as what to order, many of the answers are quite good, but valkyrie and Rudey have pretty much summed it up - first, order whatever you enjoy and order it with confidence, and second know your audience and improve your knowledge of liquors, cordials and apertifs, and wine . . . sometimes, unfortunately, you just won't want to be the one drinking rum among clients who are splitting an expensive bottle.

[GeekyPenguin]

I'd drink hard liquor over wine if I were given the choice. Then again, in my profession, so would everyone else.

[xo_kathy]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

So this doesn't say "sophisticated", but Stoli Razz does? I don't quite follow - I think you're making a poor association here.

I'm not saying Stoli Razz does. They were separate paragraphs. I was commenting that Amaretto Sour is not what I considered sophisticated. The paragraph about my drink preference was just that - what I prefer. However I will say I think Grey Goose Orange and soda sounds more sophisticated than an Amaretto Sour when someone asks you what you are drinking.

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Red wine is fine - it can turn teeth/lips red, but not necessarily on the first glass, and if there is ANYTHING available to clean the mouth (water, food) then you'll be fine. Spilling should not be a worry, if you're at all on your game and drinking in moderation.

Probably really depends on you. I drink more than one glass with dinner/water whatever and you can definitely see it on my lips and teeth. My best friend is the same way. My husband on the other hand could drink a bottle with nothing else and you'd never know it (His skin is darker and his teeth more yellow so perhaps that's why). So if I was in the situation I wouldn't be "fine". Also, just because you are drinking in moderation and "on your game" doesn't mean that accidents don't happen. You'll look like much more of an ass with red wine on your blouse than white.

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I don't know how many business dinners of this type you've attended, but quite a few deals and discussions in my particular field are done over red wine

I don't attend too many business dinners, but my husband does all the time. His boss is a wine aficianado so takes care of all the ordering and it is often red. Of course I know many deals are made over red wine

After re-reading the original post it seems these are dinners, but when she mentioned what to order I assumed a bottle of wine at the table wasn't an option. I was thinking it was more of a bar situation.

Originally Posted by KSig RC

If nothing else, be able to pronounce "beaujolais" . . .

Of course, if you've never had beaujolais then it's probably not a good idea to order it so knowing how to pronounce it might be a moot point.

[SOPi_Jawbreaker]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Amaretto Sour reminds me of girls in college who couldn't stand the taste of liquor so they ordered something "yummy". Doesn't say sophisticated to me at all.

I had the same thought when I read sdbeta1's post. Amaretto Sours, along with Midori Sours, are what I usually suggest for my sisters who are turning 21 and going to the bar for the first time and don't know what they might like.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by SOPi_Jawbreaker

I had the same thought when I read sdbeta1's post. Amaretto Sours, along with Midori Sours, are what I usually suggest for my sisters who are turning 21 and going to the bar for the first time and don't know what they might like.

I must ask....do you really have sisters that have never had a mix drink before 21?

Maybe it's because I have two friends that are bartenders and I'm usedot having mixed drinks and shots and the whole nine yards while hanging out in a house, but not a single one of my friends waited till 21 till they had thier first mixed drink,...