What kind of drinks should I order?

[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.

[BobbyTheDon]

Order them a madori sour and drop roofies in them. That'll get you in on some bizness!



Oh wait.

Oh what?


Oh...not the kind of bizness you were looking for? Oh ok. Ummm...

get them some Kool Aid and sprinkle some crack in that shit then MANG

[adpiucf]

I work in hi-tech, too, and do a lot of international shows. Do not order a glass of champagne or champagne drink. You will look like a little girl. It's a different story if your event director orders a bottle.

A vodka drink, martini or wine is fine. Try a flavored coffee at dessert, if you would like. If you're in Spain, give the sangria a whirl. And when in Rome, do as the Romans do. You might mimic another colleague and order the same drink as s/he. This will clue you in to when it is ok to drink pina coladas (Rio) or beer (Germany). Avoid the umbrella drinks and mudslides unless you have a cue from your director to partake in those froofy drinks because s/he is, too.

As mentioned, don't overdo it. You still have a 7 AM call time the next morning and have to be on the floor and presentable for the next 12 hours. I tend to stick to a glass of red wine or order a diet coke or sparkling water when I'm on travel. To me, a show is not the time to relax with drinks after a long day-- because the next day of the show is going to be even harder if I do.

[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.

[KSig RC]

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

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

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.

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.

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

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.

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.