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18 year old girl never drank before - what should be my choice of drink tomorrow?

92 replies

Northerngal123 · 22/07/2022 17:43

I’m an 18 year old girl who had a sheltered childhood. I was just really shy and didn’t have many friends at high school. The ones I did have didn’t drink (a lot were muslim and I’m an Asian girl), so I think I’m quite unusual in having this situation as it seems like most people my age have had years of experience drinking and know what they like already!

I always wanted to try alcohol and go to house parties back at high school but just never got the chance. It didn’t help for 2 years I had very bad mental health after GCSEs and didn’t want to be sociable. Now I’m about to go to Uni and thankfully am feeling better than ever. I met a really nice girl my age and she offered to go to a bar with me for my first drink. I have no idea what to order, I don’t really have a sweet tooth so am put off by really sugary cocktails. I do want to get tipsy but not really drunk, it’ll just be good to have some experience with drink before freshers in a good environment. My parents drink but have individual tastes like my dad likes strong beer and my mum used to drink tequila shots at my age she told me.

I was thinking maybe a gin and tonic, cider, mojito, vodka and orange….then drink some water and have another if I want one

I would love any suggestions for a good first time drink :) I love to be a connoisseur of whatever I eat and learn about it but am clueless about alcohol at the moment.

OP posts:
ChinBristles · 22/07/2022 19:37

I'm sure I will get shouted down as a killjoy but I'm going to say this anyway.
Think very carefully before you take that first drink. You can't put the genie back in the bottle. It's not like trying unusual foods. It's trying an addictive drug. Which just so happens to be legal in this country. It is extra risky for those of us with mental health issues.

I took my first drink (wine, at a family party) at age 18. I was a problem drinker immediately and an alcoholic in my 20s. I quit at 31 and have been sober since. I'm 39 now.

There is no way to know if you are someone who can "control" alcohol or not. Is it worth the risk? What is missing from your life that you need this? Would you try heroin "just to try it"? The only difference is that heroin is legal. Alcohol kills far more people.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn't take that first drink.

Cotswoldmama · 22/07/2022 19:39

I would start with alco pops which are generally 4 or 5% so very weak. Wine us a no go even if it's a spritzer it'll be too strong. I'm a lightweight and at your age I drank alco pops, vodka and lemonade or coke- just a single shot or Malibu and coke (delicious if you like coconut) tiamaria and coke (coffee liqueur) or Archers and lemonade. These are all weaker spirits.

FlatBottomedGirl · 22/07/2022 20:00

I'd go for a vodka, lime and soda. But that's because I wasn't as wise as you and drank far too much cider and it still gives me the boak.

Interested in this thread?

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AdelaideRo · 22/07/2022 20:07

I drank cider when i was that age (and younger. I didn't have a sheltered childhood).

I still do if I'm out in a situation where I don't want to get too drunk as my bladder capacity is smaller than my alcohol tolerance!

colouringfoxes · 22/07/2022 20:14

Also not to scare you and you probably know this already, but be aware of spiking. Watch your drink at all times, don't accept drinks off other people, don't leave your drink to go to the bathroom etc. It sounds like you're going to be very sensible and that you and your friend will look out for each other, which is great.

Northerngal123 · 24/07/2022 13:08

Okay here’s story -

I ended up not giving a shit and did shots, had 3 vodka mixes, about 3 cocktails, one cider, and sips of the girl’s drinks to try them…..I won’t be going on a night out now for 3/4 weeks so I think at the time I just thought as long as I don’t get too drunk it would be okay, i got caught up in the fun of it but don’t regret it at all.

Weirdly I didn’t get as messed up as I thought but we had a good meal halfway through and then we got fried chicken at the end, this was from 6pm-4am

One of the best nights of my life, and I can’t believe it was with someone I met literally a few months ago. When I got tipsy initially I felt weird like I got hot and panicked a bit but then I had some water and we walked to another bar and then a club. Can I just say people in club queues are so friendly, tbh everyone in the club was really nice, but you can’t hear shit in there! It was hilarious trying to mime stuff

Alcohol just made me not care as much, like I started to dance when I would normally be awkward, I chatted to some guys when I would normally be too insecure, stuff like that. But at the same time for the amount I drank I expected to black out, I didn’t feel sick or anything at all, but really ‘loose’ at some point and then it wore off.

Today I slept so bad because I’m not used to coming home in the light at 5am but no hangover, I immediately downed a bottle of water when I got home and one just now.

Oh just remembered I got so scared after trying a shot when my ears started ringing so I actually googled it and it said it’s fine and I just drank water after that…. I was impressed with how little alcohol I could taste in all the drinks, nothing at all! I was entirely in control the whole time, it was very different to my weed experience, I’m starting to think I’m immune to alcohol or the drinks were very underdosed but it’s impossible since my friend has been drinking for years and only had about 3 more and got pissed.

Last thing to add is I left my bag and coat at the clockroom of a bar and the bouncer was such a dick, they never have me a ticket so refused to return it. That girl was so nice she offered to wait until 3am when they said come back if I wanted to go home but I said i’d stay. We went at 3:15 and no one answered. I rang my dad and he told me these people can be knobs sometimes and I should ring them tomorrow. I did leave my contact details but thank god my credit card wasn’t in there.

I think being drunk underwhelmed me a little, I expected it to be much stronger of a feeling! It’s actually put me off trying it regularly as it just gave me the confidence I could naturally have and was just a little boost. I basically got the way that people I know who are total extroverts do sober. I’m glad I experienced it though and know what it’s like to go on a night out. I’m in Manchester and it’s famous for good nightlife.

OP posts:
Notanotherwindow · 24/07/2022 13:15

Anything you like but don't mix drinks. Either drink wine or spirits, don't keep switching or you'll end up with the mother of all hangovers.

lucelou82 · 24/07/2022 13:20

An ice cold glass of champagne! Quality over quantity, something I defo didn't do at 18 xxx

shinynewapple22 · 24/07/2022 13:28

Reading the update on this thread I am so glad that my DC was introduced to alcohol in small quantities at home before the age of 18.

FrippEnos · 24/07/2022 13:30

SuzyQ12 · 22/07/2022 17:48

You could try fruit cider, koppaberg or rekordalig? Nice tasting and not that strong. Have fun!

I wouldn't recommend these as a first drink, they are far to 'pop' like and the fruit taste hides the alcohol.

They are made that way to encourage you to drink more and before you realise it you can be quite drunk.

Also make sure that you trust those around you when you are drinking.

ToastedCrumpetwithCheese · 24/07/2022 13:47

Sounds like you had a good evening, but take it slow and drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks inbetween. You don't have to drink to have a good time, you just need to learn how to let your hair down and have fun without needing alcohol.

DisforDarkChocolate · 24/07/2022 13:48

Pimms. The best summer drink ever.

Maymaymay · 24/07/2022 13:57

Pink gin and lemonade or a prosecco cocktail. Lots of cocktails are less sugary than cider. Don't mix and I wouldn't drink vodka, it doesn't taste of anything and so you might drink too many.

PinkArt · 24/07/2022 14:36

You aren't immune 😂You just have an 18year old liver!

caringcarer · 24/07/2022 14:54

Second white wine spritzer as half lemonade which makes it refreshing. Get it in a tall glass with a slice of lemon and ice too. Lovely in warm weather not too strong.

brighteyesburninglikefire · 24/07/2022 14:56

I would just have the usual teen first drink, cider. Can you not just have your first drink at home with your parents?

brighteyesburninglikefire · 24/07/2022 14:57

Oh, I've now RTfT, glad you had a good time

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