If you just turned 21 and want to dive into an adult world with a glass of alcoholic beverage, make sure you know what are the best drinks for first-time drinkers.
Even though while we are talking about alcohol we are thinking about its bad side, alcoholic drinks also have positive health benefits, of course, if they are consumed in normal amounta. Drinking alcohol could lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, it can lengthen your life, improve your libido, help you fight a cold, decrease the chances of developing dementia, reduce the risk of gallstones and lower the chances of diabetes. Also, according to Mayo Clinic, some of the possible health benefits are reducing the risk of developing and dying from heart disease and reduced risk of ischemic stroke.
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Today, almost every bar, pub, club and restaurant is serving alcoholic beverages. Many people are drinking alcohol because it puts them in a good mood, it relaxes them and it refreshes them during warm summer days. Some of the most refreshing drinks during the warm summer days are cocktails. There are many everyday alcoholic beverages which are reaching a price from $2 up to $200, but, there are also many special brands which can reach a price of a few thousands or even million dollars. This kind of alcoholic beverages are usually old even decades.
Every first-time drinker needs to drink carefully and not to overdrink regardless of what alcoholic beverage they are drinking in order to avoid unwanted consequences. There are drinks with a high percent of alcohol that are very sweet at the same time like some of the 11 Sweet Alcoholic Drinks for Beginners. With this kind of drinks, you won’t feel the alcohol burning down your throat but you will get wasted in a short time. Just because the alcohol doesn’t burn you, you may think it isn’t a strong drink and it is suitable for you, but this is where you should be the most careful. If you think your organism cannot take very strong alcoholic drinks, we recommend you to start with those which contain minimum percent of alcohol in them. Also, if you are a first-time drinker, we don’t recommend you to drink one beverage and then move to another because it can lead to nausea and vomiting.
In order to create our list, we used Rant Now, Trip Hobo and Quora as our sources to see what are the best drinks for first-time drinkers. We collected the information from our sources and took those which are mentioned the most times. The list was sorted by the number of mentions. Those that were mentioned only once, we took because they were highly ranked on one of our sources. Keep in mind that depending on the company that is producing the drink or the cocktail recipe, alcohol by volume may vary.
15. Jägermeister
Alcohol by Volume: 35%
If you are new to alcohol, we recommend you to start drinking Jagermeister. This drink was made of 56 herbs and different spices. It contains fruits, citrus peel, anise, licorice, saffron, ginger, poppy seeds, ginseng and juniper berries among other ingredients. In the process making, these ingredients are grounded and later steeped in water and alcohol for two to three days. After that, the mixture is stored in oak barrels for a year. After one year, the liquor is filtered again and mixed with sugar, caramel, and alcohol. This drink is perfect for first-time drinkers because of its sweet taste.
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14. Sambuca
Alcohol by Volume: 38%
We are continuing our list of best drinks for first-time drinkers with Sambuca that is Italian liqueur flavored with anise. This drink is flavored with essential oils from star anise or green anise. There is white Sambuca, black and red sambuca. This drink could be served neat but it can be served on the rocks or with water which is resulting with ouzo effect. Sambuca is also going great with coffee and some people are even adding it in their coffee instead of sugar. Also, it has a traditional serving which is with three coffee beans that are representing health, happiness, and prosperity.
13. Appletini
Alcohol by Volume: 15%
The primary alcoholic drink in the Appletini cocktail is vodka that ended on the 13th spot on our list of best drinks for first-time drinkers. This cocktail was created back in 1996 at Lola’s West Hollywood restaurant and it is also known as Adam’s Apple Martini. This cocktail is served straight up with an apple slice or cherry in a cocktail glass. Mix in a shaker 4.5 cl vodka, 1.5 cl apple schnapps/calvados, and 1.5 cl Cointreau and then pour it into a chilled cocktail glass. Appletini is great for people who are first-time drinkers and it tastes delicious. Despite everything, it is very easy to be made at home for any kind of occasion.
12. Laphroaig
Alcohol by Volume: 40-43%
The whole world knows that the Laphroaig scotch that ranks 12th on the list of best drinks for first-time drinkers is one of the best tasting scotches in the world. If you are a first-time drinker, this scotch will help you break the ice with its amazing taste. It doesn’t matter what is your level of tolerance for alcohol because even though this drink might be stronger compared to some juicy cocktails, it will get better with every gulp. Even if you never tasted a scotch, you will fall in love with the taste of Laphroaig. If you are over 21 and ready to start drinking, we recommend you to order a Laphroaig next time you are out with your friends.
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11. French Connection
Alcohol by Volume: 9%
Even though you haven’t drunk alcohol before, the French Connection that ranked 11th on our list of best drinks for first-time drinkers will make you seem debonair. This alcoholic drink isn’t only looking good, but it is going down smoothly as well. The primary alcoholic drinks in the French Connection are cognac and amaretto. This cocktail is best served on the rocks or poured over ice in an old-fashioned glass. If you want to make this drink at home, you need to pour 3.5 cl cognac and 3.5 cl disaronno liqueur into old fashioned glass and stir gently. Despite being great for first-time drinkers, this alcoholic beverage is also easy to make.
10. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
Alcohol by Volume: 35%
Do you know what is better than ordinary rum? Spiced rum. The Captain Morgan Spiced Rum is not only for those who are first-time drinkers but those who started drinking a long time ago as well because it tastes great. The Captain Morgan Spiced Rum represents a blend of Caribbean rums with subtle notes of vanilla and caramel which are giving it a classic and flavorful finish. If you are a first-time drinker and you don’t know what to order when you are out with your friends, you won’t regret ordering Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.
9. Vodka with Cranberry Juice
Alcohol by Volume: 20%
Vodka with cranberry juice is one of the best drinks for first-time drinkers. You can order it everywhere, in a pub, club, restaurant or you can easily make it at home. In order to make it yourself, you will need to mix 1 ⅔ parts Absolut vodka and 5 parts cranberry juice. Fill a glass with ice and pour the mixed ingredients in the cup. If you want to make it interesting, you can garnish it with lime. This cocktail is great for first-time drinkers, tastes amazing and it is very easy to make.
8. Tequila Sunrise
Alcohol by Volume: 12.2%
Many times we have seen in the movies people slamming those tequila shots like they are water and later waking up in an unknown location. Well, if you are a first-time drinker, don’t worry because tequila sunrise is something entirely different. This tasty beverage goes down easily, which isn’t always the case with tequila involved. You can make it at home by yourself and you will need 4.5 cl tequila, 9 cl orange juice, and 1.5 cl grenadine syrup. Pour the orange juice and tequila in a collins glass over ice and then add grenadine. Grenadine will sink to the bottom and by stirring you will create a sunrise effect.
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7. Rose Wine
Alcohol by Volume: 8.6-10.5%
The rose wine, next on the list of best drinks for first-time drinkers might be the oldest known type of wine. This type incorporates some of the colors from grape skins but apparently not enough to be qualified as a red wine. This wine can be produced in many ways and it is one of the best drinks for people who haven’t tried alcohol but want to break the ice. If you are over 21 and you think you are ready to taste the sweet flavor of this alcoholic drink, you can invite over your friends for a fun night or you can order a glass of rose wine while you are out in a pub or a restaurant.
6. Pimm’s
Alcohol by Volume: 25%
The first Pimm’s was produced back in 1823 and ever since then, people are loving it. This nectar is served with fruits or other concoctions, but if you don’t want any of that stuff, it tastes great the way it is as well. To make the perfect cup of Pimm’s at home, you will need ½-” thick English cucumber wheel, ½” thick lemon wheel, 2 oz Pimm’s No.1, 2 oz 7UP, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and a lemon twist. Muddle the cucumber and lemon sliced in a cold highball glass and pour the Pimm’s, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and 7UP. Stir gently and then add ice. You can also garnish it by your choice.
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5. White Russian
Alcohol by Volume: 5%
One of the best drinks for first-time drinkers is White Russian because it tastes a bit like a milkshake. The main ingredients in this drink are vodka and coffee liqueur. If you want to make this cocktail by yourself at home, you will need 5 cl vodka, 2 cl coffee liqueur, and 3 cl fresh cream. In an old fashioned glass with ice, pour the vodka and coffee liqueur. After this step, you need to put fresh cream on top and stir gently. Your drink will be ready for drinking in less than 5 minutes.
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4. Radler Beer
Alcohol by Volume: 2.5%
Even though there are many people who are drinking beer all the time, there are many people who can’t stand the taste of it, especially the first time drinkers. During the warm summer days, there isn’t anything better than an ice cold beer, but if you cannot stand the taste of it, you can try Radler beer. This mix of lemonade and beer will allow you to enjoy your drink without the bitterness of a normal beer. Now that the summer is here and you still can’t stand the taste of normal beer, order Radler and enjoy its unique taste.
3. Screwdriver
Alcohol by Volume: 5.8%
Screwdrivers are not only best drinks for first-time drinkers because of their delicious taste, but they are easy to prepare at home as well. The primary alcohol by volume in this drink is vodka. In a glass with ice, pour 5 cl vodka, and 10 cl orange juice. If you want to make your drink more enjoyable, you can always garnish it with an orange slice or whatever you want. Many people who are not first-time drinkers are ordering this drink because of its refreshing and delicious taste.
2. Baileys Irish Cream
Alcohol by Volume: 17%
We are continuing our list of best drinks for first-time drinkers with Bailey’s Irish cream that is perfect for first-time drinkers not because it tastes delicious but because it is smooth and velvety often described like silk down your throat. This Irish whiskey is dating back to even 1974 and it makes a great dessert alcohol. It is not only favorite among amateur drinkers but among people who don’t have problem drinking at all because of its smooth and delicious taste. You can buy a bottle of Baileys and invite your friends over, or you can order a glass regardless whether you are in a restaurant or a bar.
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1. Sidecar
Alcohol by Volume: 25%
On top of our list of the best drinks for first-time drinkers is the sidecar. The primary alcohol by volume in this cocktail is cognac and it is served straight up. If you want to prepare it by yourself, pour 5 cl cognac, 2 cl triple sec and 2 cl lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain it and pour it into the cocktail glass. It is very simple to make and yet it tastes so delicious. Regardless whether you are a first-time drinker or not, you can be sure that you will enjoy this drink.
This was our list of best drinks for first time drinkers. We hope we managed to show you what are the best drinks for you and show you how to prepare some of them at home.
