Drink

I have never been a big drinker. This fact is not based on principle, religion, creed, sexual orientation, holistic or nutritional values, socio-economic status or a lack of trying. I am not a big drinker because I have not found a large number of palatable options.

First and foremost, I hate beer. There is something about hops, barley, and the fermenting process all rolled into one that does not appeal to me.

Second, I do drink wine, but my favorites have titles like “Jammin’ Strawberry” and “Radical Raspberry”. These are hardly reputable sources. The strawberry bottle even comes complete with a picture of a huge strawberry on the label. The winery does this for reasons twofold: one, to really bring home the point that what I am about to purchase is not really wine and two, to thoroughly embarrass me and anyone who dares bring a bottle to the liquor store counter.

The first time I became truly inebriated. I was in clubbing in Madrid, Spain and drinking a large quantity of screwdrivers. At first blush that statement may sound slightly glamorous. Then you take into account that I was on a trip with my college singing troupe and that the drink itself is mostly orange juice. There is more to the story involving blacking out, walking through a park in the middle of the night and locking myself in my hotel bathroom, but I digress.

I was around 25 when I discovered the wonderful Martini and joined the world of adult drinkers. I have finally found a drink I can order at restaurants (I have yet to find Jammin’ Strawberry on any wine list). Martini’s are so important they even have a glass named after them. It is a very shapely sophisticated glass- everyone knows that I am a fancy adult whenever I am holding one.

This weekend go out and have a wonderful and tasty Martini. Just do not raise your glass. They may be fancy, but the glass was not meant for toasting, raising, or generally moving unless it is to your lips. Fancy it may be, but practical it is not (unless you can afford to loose half of your $8 drink).

The Martini comes in a vast variety of flavors to suit your mood and will knock you on your ass faster than any beer I know. A fact that somehow makes me feel that even though I may not be aligned with the majority of the consumers of alcohol in my dislike of beer, my drink is tougher, despite the fancy glass and fruit garnish.

Personal Recommendations: Strawberry Martini with a splash of champagne, Pomegranate Martini (with fruit compote), and a Lemon Drop Martini