So I was watching "Groundhog Day" for a bit on TV last night and there's that scene where Bill Murray is trying to seduce Andie MacDowell in a bar. He memorizes facts about her so that when the day happens again, he can win her heart. One of these facts happens to be what drink she likes: sweet vermouth on the rocks. When he orders that for himself the second time around, she says, "That's my favorite drink."
My regular drink isn't so singular: it's a Tanqueray and Tonic. I stole the drink from my dad and now it's what I order when I go out. Would I be seduced if Bill Murray crept up next to me and ordered a Tanqueray and Tonic? Probably not. I'd be more impressed if he sang a song from Pippin.
This begs the question, though, reader: what's YOUR drink? How did it become your drink? How important is your drink to you? The Bill Murrays of the world want to know.
Comments (64)
My drink: Black Russian
Reason: hm, I started out liking the sweetness of White Russians but then became lactose intolerant so.....
Importance: meh, it usu. what I order if I feel like a mixed drink
To Bill Murray: thanks for asking!
Posted by Sarah | August 16, 2007 2:27 PM
Mine is a pineapple pushover. If you love pineapple you'll love this one!
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Ameretto
4 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Cream
Shake with ice and strain into a ice filled highball glass.
Posted by Lilartist | August 16, 2007 2:30 PM
Maker's Mark Manhattan on the rocks, started drinking that my senior year in college since I felt Jack & Coke wasn't mature enough, since then it's my default drink, although in warmer months a Tanqueray & Tonic works into the rotation.
Posted by OTC | August 16, 2007 2:33 PM
Hey Adam, I just linked to you on my food blog. I'm reading your book and enjoying it very much.
My standard drink is a Scotch and soda on the rocks. My father taught me to enjoy Scotch, saying that if I took a bottle of that to a BYOB party, very few people would be tempted to nip off my stash.
Posted by Lindsey | August 16, 2007 2:48 PM
I don't have a drink. I like to try whatever the specialty is. I'm sure I'll develop a favorite one day, but until then, I'll be adventurous.
Posted by Kelly Mahoney | August 16, 2007 3:03 PM
Hemingway Daiquiri
2 oz rum
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
Shake vigorously and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Posted by Mike Arauz | August 16, 2007 3:05 PM
Mines a very dirty dry vodka martini. I developed a fondness for these in college after having my first one with filmmaker John Waters. (really!) I don't know if it was the cool famous person giving it to me but that martini was the best! So now it's my drink!
Posted by tuliptoe | August 16, 2007 3:09 PM
Hmmmm...would have to be cognac and ginger ale. A friend of mine introduced me to cognac and I had always drank it neat. Well, summer hit, and it was too hot for me to take it that way, so I splashed in a bit of ginger ale and happiness was born.
Posted by Meg | August 16, 2007 4:34 PM
Take no offense at this but I also wouldn't be seduced by someone ordering a Tanqueray and Tonic because its the stereotypical "gay male drink" (followed closely by cosmos). Its what I order, its what my friends order ... Its not enough to just order a gin and tonic - it has to be Tanqueray (ignoring all the other good gins out there).
I, however, would be much impressed if a guy sat down next to me and ordered a jameson's neat... then we have something to talk about ... (it also helps if he is cute)
But first I would do a toast to world peace...
Posted by yoshi | August 16, 2007 4:48 PM
First of all, I've never commented before but I absolutely adore your blog and I get excited every time it gets updated :)
I have two drinks. My first is margaritas. I have a calculated memory of any margarita you can find in our entire tri-county area, and it's always the first drink I try when I go somewhere. If you can't do a margarita, you're not worth my time (also, FYI, the best margarita in Orlando, FL can be found at a little Mongolian BBQ called Hu-Hots, in front of the Florida mall).
My second drink was introduced to me from my father, and it's amaretto and orange juice. So strange, but so tasty.
Posted by Lauren | August 16, 2007 5:09 PM
I swear to g-d I'm not copying you - I LOVE and often order gin and tonics - my favorite gin is Tanqueray! Have you ever tried Tanqueray No. 10? I haven't but I'm curious what the difference is.
Posted by Hillary | August 16, 2007 5:09 PM
I love love love diet coke with amaretto. I also love baileys on the rocks, and the occasional MOJITO!!! But only mojitos made with mortars and pestles... none of this mixing crap.
And of course, whenever I want to get real drunk in style, I drink Long Island Iced Teas.
B
Hand to Mouth
Posted by B | August 16, 2007 5:54 PM
If I can get a real mojito, a good one, and it's not a pain to the bartender to make one, that's my first cocktail of choice. Barring that, a margaria on the rocks, no salt.
But mostly I'm a white wine lover. Red on cold winter days.
Posted by Tana | August 16, 2007 6:55 PM
Think about your life, Pippin
Think about the dreams you planned
Think about the moment
That's so close at hand
When the power and the glory
Are there are your command
Pi-i-ippin
Think about your life.
Feeling anything? Anything at all?
Posted by katy | August 16, 2007 7:34 PM
I drank bourbon Manhattans until many years ago when Julie Reiner at the Flatiron Lounge got me hooked on the true Manhattan, which is made with rye--preferably Michter's 10-year. So, now while my girlfriend drinks Sidecars (which she makes with precision!) I like to think that I have perfected the Manhattan. Phil at Daddy-O's, and the brilliant bar men at Little Branch, Eleven Madison Park and Del Posto also make killer rye Manhattans.
Posted by Deb | August 16, 2007 7:59 PM
A nice pisco sour is very, very good if made properly...
2 parts Pisco
1 part key lime juice
1 part sugar syrup or sugar
1 egg white
Ice 5-6 cubes
Blend all and serve with a dash of bitters.
Posted by zeep | August 16, 2007 8:18 PM
Hey Adam -
I hope you're not settling for Schweppes! Why not make your own tonic water with no HFCS?
Cheers,
Posted by Dr. Vino | August 16, 2007 8:19 PM
hot chocolate and triple sec. around here we call it a snowbunny. mmm..
Posted by kat f. | August 16, 2007 9:35 PM
Capt'n Morgan and Diet Coke. Always has been, always will be. I throw a small hissy fit if a bar doesn't have it. I think I was born drinking it out of my baby's bottle. I could drink it for breakfast, and often have. Do you think I have a problem? :-)
Posted by Adam | August 16, 2007 9:36 PM
bloody mary extra spicy, skyy vodka and pickled green beans and wayyy too many stuffed manzanillas.
Posted by foodie | August 16, 2007 10:17 PM
Stinger... the warmth of the brandy or cognac followed by the refreshing taste of mint is wonderful
Posted by Justin | August 16, 2007 10:57 PM
If I'm out at a club, it's a Bombay Sapphire and tonic.
But when I can, nothing beats a perfectly made mint julep. Mmmm...heaven.
Posted by wonderwoman | August 16, 2007 10:57 PM
I love mojitos...I grow mint specifically so I can mix my own. If I'm in a bar, it varies, but my favorite would probably be a whiskey sour, made with Jack Daniels.
Posted by Tracy | August 16, 2007 11:06 PM
I'm fond of gin gimlets. I also like bourbon and ginger, but have yet to find a good diet ginger ale, so haven't had one in ages. Oh, and capirnhas.
Posted by AdamH | August 16, 2007 11:18 PM
My drinks:
- Shirley Temple
- Lime freeze
3 oz lime juice
2 scoops lime sherbert
Blend until smooth
- Grenadine Rickey
1.5 oz grenadine
1.5 oz lime juice
1.5 oz club soda
ice cubes
Posted by LTM | August 17, 2007 2:28 AM
My drinks:
- Shirley Temple
- Roy Rodgers
- Lime freeze
3 oz lime juice
2 scoops lime sherbert
Blend until smooth
- Grenadine Rickey
1.5 oz grenadine
1.5 oz lime juice
1.5 oz club soda
ice cubes
Posted by LTM | August 17, 2007 2:29 AM
- Shirley Temple
- Roy Rodgers
- Grenadine Rickey
- Lime Freeze
Posted by LTM | August 17, 2007 2:32 AM
Frangelico and fresh lime all the way. Might go have one now actually.
Posted by mrsbadcrumble | August 17, 2007 2:58 AM
The drink du jour in KL is whisky (usually Chivas) with iced sweetened green tea.
Posted by KK | August 17, 2007 6:52 AM
Southern Comfort & Soda
The perfect Manhattan
Whiskey Sour
Posted by dee | August 17, 2007 8:21 AM
Absolut dirty martini, I like it dirty but not TOO dirty. Also, a proper martini glass is a must.
Posted by riffraff | August 17, 2007 8:31 AM
Hmm. I think I need a new home drink. It was bourbon and ginger ale for a while, but I just don't like it anymore. Tanqueray and tonic is always reliable (and I'm not a gay man), but I get bored with it. Love margaritas but they tend to be bad outside the correct context; i.e., non-Mexican restaurants tend to make them with sour mix, or just bad tequila - whaaa? Gin gimlets are good, but is that something that bartenders know how to make?
Maybe I'll have to experiment with the classic gin martini. (Vodka - bleah.)
Posted by Emily | August 17, 2007 8:52 AM
Ketel One and soda with lemon (NOT lime).
Posted by Amity | August 17, 2007 8:56 AM
A Sicilian kiss (equal parts amaretto and Southern Comfort): ridiculously sweet but eminently drinkable.
Pimm's and ginger ale.
A good quality tequila shot, with or without the frills.
A mojito.
Kahlua and milk at bedtime.
Posted by Kristi | August 17, 2007 9:08 AM
I love a refereshing tanqueray and tonic too, but also a good Kir Royale. It's so easy to make but so many places do it wrong, they use too much cassis, making it overly sweet. They make good ones at Angel's Share and Employees Only. I also recently discovered Pisco Sours which I love, the frothiness from the egg white is divine. Mmmmm.
Posted by fishwithoutbicycle | August 17, 2007 9:26 AM
Bombay Gin (NOT Sapphire) on the rocks with 2 garlic-stuffed olives.
Posted by Jeff | August 17, 2007 9:45 AM
Haha, for some reason, I thought I was going to be the only one saying "a well-done Mojito." But I've actually been to places that don't know how to make them, so my default backup (backup default?) is Absolut and cranberry juice - can't really screw that up. =) Some of these drinks I've never heard of, I definitely want to try them.
Posted by Kathryn | August 17, 2007 9:50 AM
Most bartenders don't make a good mojito or a margarita the way I like it, mostly because they don't have bar syrup anymore and don't use fresh lime. I like good flavored martinis and very old single malt, no ice you heathens but with a side of water to mix in to smooth it out. You're not supposed to drink it straight, they don't in Scotland. My favorite drink is
Russian Cocktail
Equal parts of gin, vodka and creme de cacao, shaken with ice and strained into a cold glass.
Posted by Cigarlady | August 17, 2007 9:53 AM
Most bartenders don't make a good mojito or a margarita the way I like it, mostly because they don't have bar syrup anymore and don't use fresh lime. I like good flavored martinis and very old single malt, no ice you heathens but with a side of water to mix in to smooth it out. You're not supposed to drink it straight, they don't in Scotland. My favorite drink is
Russian Cocktail
Equal parts of gin, vodka and creme de cacao, shaken with ice and strained into a cold glass.
Posted by Cigarlady | August 17, 2007 9:54 AM
Yoshi, I never knew that Tanqueray & Tonic is the stereotypical gay male drink! Interesting, especially since I got it from my husband and Adam got it from his dad.
I have tried gin & tonics with other gins but I never like them as much as I do with Tanqueray.
If I am feeling like a girly drink, I like a Hawaiian Seabreeze, made with Absolut.
Posted by Jennifer Adams | August 17, 2007 9:57 AM
Cosmopolitan
Well-made mojito
Posted by Becky | August 17, 2007 10:16 AM
Mmmmm . . . I've cut down on the booze recently (as I'm saving my calories for FOOD!), but I do have a few faves:
Mind Eraser
Vodka, Kahlua, Soda (It's just a Black Russian with bubbles!. If I've been an especially deserving girl, I ask the bartender to add a couple of cherries. ;)
Bourbon Decay
Bourbon (Maker's or Bulleit brands preferred) with Ginger Beer (REED'S is the ONLY way to go! Forget Stewarts or any other commercial ginger ale. Ick.) and a twist of lemon.
. . . and in the winter, I really like DiSaranno Amaretto on the rocks with a curl of lemon zest. Mmmmm. Warming and soothing.
Posted by Amy *v. | August 17, 2007 10:24 AM
Red red wine....makes me feel so fine. Zinfandel, Merlot, cabernet, etc. maybe with a piece of roquefort cheese.
Posted by Robin | August 17, 2007 11:59 AM
amaretto sour. yum.
Posted by chanelle | August 17, 2007 12:14 PM
My favorite drink is the French 75. It contains gin, champagne, lemon juice and a touch of sugar. I came to love it when I lived in San Francisco in Hayes Valley; a restaurant called Absinthe, on the same street, served it at their bar. It's so refreshing and easy to drink, which can be dangerous since it's quite strong in liquor. They serve it with three brandied cherries, which I love almost as much as the drink itself.
It's really hard to find at bars in LA, though recently the Chateau Marmont added it to its cocktail menu (much to my pleasant surprise).
Posted by Clare | August 17, 2007 12:16 PM
Pastis on the rocks, with water on the side.
God, how I miss France..
Posted by tom | August 17, 2007 12:36 PM
My drink has evolved over time:
First stolichnaya and tonic, 2)vodka gimlets, then 3) Straight cold premium vodka. As one matures they turn to brown liquor - 4) Wild Turkey on the rocks, 2nd gulf war came -French products were verbotten so 5)Makers Mark & Rocks. Then for fun tried Irish Whiskey - 6) Bushmills and Rocks. Since the French finally elected a capitalist I'll probably start drinking Wild Turkeys barrel cut premium Rare Breed (108 proof) w/ice on a regular basis.
Posted by Spencer Hill | August 17, 2007 12:43 PM
I don't have a summer drink yet, but once the cold rolls in it's Hot Schnocolate all winter long.
Oh, since I may have made that name up, that's hot chocolate with as much DeKuyper's 100 proof peppermint schnapps as you can stand. Mmm, yesssssss.
Posted by kasa | August 17, 2007 12:48 PM
Belvedere and tonic, extra lime. Is it 5:00 yet?
Posted by Timothy | August 17, 2007 12:58 PM
Belvedere and tonic, extra lime. Is it 5:00 yet?
Posted by Timothy | August 17, 2007 12:58 PM
Pick just one? That might be a little tough. My drink of choice changes with my mood, the weather and location. Though for the summer I'll narrow it down to three:
Margarita on the rocks with salt
Madras (Vodka, Orange & Cranberry)
Pimm's Cup (only if the bar knows how to make it correctly, which is rare.)
I guess my go to spirit is Vodka, but after managing a bar for a while, I got so used to trying different products and recipes that I really like to experiment and change things up.
Posted by TJ | August 17, 2007 1:00 PM
I'm a seasonal drinker.
In the summer I like strawberry infused vodka with lemonade and mint on the rocks.
In the fall, it's a muddled old-fashioned with Blantons and fresh oranges.
During the winter, I like to make homemade mulled wine, which leaves the house smelling of baked goodness.
And in the spring, it's a vodka gimlet with Rose's lime juice and Medoyeff vodka.
Posted by Shannon | August 17, 2007 1:00 PM
Beer, preferably a micro-brew and preferably a pale ale.
If I order a mixed drink it's the same as AG's. To quote the Ramones "Tanqueray and Tonic my favorite drink, I don't like anything colored pink. That just stinks...its not for me."
Posted by Jeff | August 17, 2007 1:03 PM
Beer, preferably a micro-brew and preferably a pale ale.
If I order a mixed drink it's the same as AG's. To quote the Ramones "Tanqueray and Tonic my favorite drink, I don't like anything colored pink. That just stinks...its not for me."
Posted by Jeff | August 17, 2007 1:03 PM
Beer, preferably a micro-brew and preferably a pale ale.
If I order a mixed drink it's the same as AG's. To quote the Ramones "Tanqueray and Tonic my favorite drink, I don't like anything colored pink. That just stinks...its not for me."
Posted by Jeff | August 17, 2007 1:03 PM
Ketel One and soda, splash of cran. At some point I lost my taste for tonic but straight up soda has never appealed to me--- the cran tempers it without adding a ton of sweetness.
Otherwise it's a Bloody Mary or a dirty, bordering on filthy, martini. I like sodium.
Posted by Meghan | August 17, 2007 4:23 PM
The gays introduced so many great things to this city. Namely Absolut Ruby Red and tonic. It's heaven in a glass.
Posted by Leah | August 17, 2007 5:29 PM
Being an adamant "drink person," I'm a big fan. But, like my feelings about food, taste really comes above all else. So, good thing you're a tanq and tonic guy - but is it tanq no. 10? Now that's good gin. And for me, a great g&t needs lots and lots of fresh lime juice.
Not to say I'm exclusive to gin. I love me a maker's and ginger ale with fresh ginger.
And my favorite party drink is actually a vodka and capri sun. It's like a sex on the beach with only two ingredients! AND a sippy straw...
Oh yeah, and let's not forget the reason I got into the coffee business: the B-52. Coffee, bailey's, gran marnier, and kahlua. I'm pretty sure that was the first drink I ever had, at the asteroid cafe in Seattle.
Basically, parties at my house are pretty awesome.
Posted by Anne | August 17, 2007 8:33 PM
Midori Sour
1 oz Midori melon liqueur
1 oz whiskey sour mix
2 oz Sprite soda
2 cherries
I'm not much of a drinker. I had my first drink on my 21st birthday, and my parents bought it for me. It was a mojito, and frankly, tasted quite despicable.
I love the hard candy-ness of the Midori Sour. It's a drink my alcohol-finicky palate would gladly smother...over and over and over again.
Posted by Krizia | August 17, 2007 10:56 PM
A single malt scotch, neat. Failing that, a Manhattan or a Godfather (two parts bourbon, one part amaretto) on the rocks.
Posted by KT | August 19, 2007 1:23 AM
Lately into summer microbrews and cold vouvray but a french martini is always a crowd pleaser:
grey goose, cassis, pineapple juice & a squeeze of lemon.
Posted by Berylco | August 19, 2007 3:16 AM
Has anyone heard of a drink called a Caesar?
1 oz vodka
salt
celery salt
pepper
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1 dash Tabasco® sauce
clamato juice
on the rocks, with a celery stalk.
I was a at a wedding once, and they weren't making martinis so they bartender suggested I try a Caesar. Everyone else seemed to be drinking them (note, everyone at this wedding seemed to be accountants, including myself. Is this an accountant's drink?) Unfortunately, I am not a Caesar girl. I've heard from American friends (I'm Canadian) that they've never heard of Caesar's, and that it must be a Canadian thing.
I prefer Gin and Tonic, I don't have a specific gin preference though I do like Bombay Sapphire. A pint of icy cold wheat beer with a slice of orange is good in the summer.
Posted by Angeline | August 19, 2007 3:56 PM
I don't have just one drink, but many drinks that appear at different occasions. For weddings it's Peach Schnapps and Coke (tastes like watermelon. seriously.), for holiday parties it's a margarita on the rocks (mango if they have it), for picnics it's a lava flow (a piña colada with fresh pureed strawberries mixed in) or a tanqueray and bitter lemon soda, for leasurely meals it's usually wine (I do love a reisling), and for desserts I'd go for a coffee with amaretto or frangelico.
Posted by Marti | August 20, 2007 10:42 AM
Whiskey. Sweet sweet whiskey.
Posted by Kirk | August 20, 2007 5:21 PM