What kind of drinks should I order?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by crzychx

I was about to make the same suggestion! Although you may not have to be in the French-speaking region of the world to have it-I had one in Germany while out to dinner. :P

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.

[Drolefille]

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.

[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.

[RedRoseSAI]

Originally Posted by macallan25

When ordering wine....you should consider quality above all. There have been Napa Valley reds that have scored higher in many tastings in regions in France. People that know good wines....know good wines. You are going to look like an idiot if you order some shitty bottle simply because it is native to where you are.

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?"

[LoveMyKeyKKG]

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.

[Glitter650]

Originally Posted by Rudey

I'd love to know how one acquires the taste for Scotch...or even gin.

But then again, I like jaegermeister and my friends always cringe if I buy them shots of it.

-Rudey

Jaeger straight = YUCK Jaeger bombs = tasty goodness

[DeltAlum]

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.

[macallan25]

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.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by macallan25

...Southern Sunrises.

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

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

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.

[FSUZeta]

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

[CutiePie2000]

I like Gin and Tonic.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

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

no.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by macallan25

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

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

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

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.