What should I drink at the pub?

[Bollingerforbreakfast]

Despite my username I rarely drink alcohol. When I do (maybe 6 times a year?) it will tend to be good champagne- quite likely Bollinger (but not for breakfast). As a student 25 years ago my standard drink was vodka and orange or sometimes vodka and coke. I love a posh cocktail but on the rare occasions I'm in a pub (the kind that doesn't have a cocktail menu) I never know what to order. I can't drink gin. Can't drink wine if it's not super expensive as 1. I don't enjoy it 2. I'll get a headache. Can't afford to order super expensive wine in a pub even if they had any. Recommendations please!

Do you like ciders? Not necessarily a pint of strongbow from the tap, but like the strawberry and lime Kopparberg over ice. There is often old mout or rekorderlig in a wide range of flavours. I like them and generally can't stand "proper" beer or ciders.

I know you said you don't like gin...but have you always had it with tonic. I thought I didn't like gin, then discovered...actually it was the tonic I disliked and now have several flavours I like, with lemonade.

Vodka is also perfectly normal, perhaps with a lime cordial and soda. Assuming your drinking is planned...if the cordial is a problem perhap bring your own flavour?

With lots of ice

I find your exorbitantly priced tastes versus lack of affordability somewhat bewildering! 🤔 Cider has become my later-life choice of pub beverage. There’s usually a nice choice on offer - bottles etc. A Magners is nice but even a draft Strongbow does the trick 😉

You could try the non-alcoholic 'spirits' or iced tea type drinks.
I don't like soft drinks much so will have water or a tonic water.
You could also have a cup of tea or coffee if you like.

french martinis are one of my faves but not something you feel you can ask for in some venues?

I basically live in old man pubs and it's not an unusual order at all.

Otherwise cider?

Would a fruity mojito work?

Vodka tonic is my go to.

Just stick to soda water as you don’t seem to like most drinks in ordinary pubs.

@Bollingerforbreakfast , maybe you could avoid public bars and go instead to more refined establishment. There's a Withersilverspoon out there with your name on it.

@Dontfuckingsaycheese its a problem and a bewilderment in all areas of my life. I basically identify as a princess but earn a very average income in an expensive part of London. I haven't really come to terms with not being landed gentry really

If you asked at my local for something with a complex flavour, you'd prov get a larger & lime or snake bite & black. Maybe add a pickled egg for extra spice!.

Whiskey soda? Amaretto and orange? This is sweet but nice.

@DuchessOfSausage i do normally avoid them but sometimes ironically the wealthier branch of my family take me out to a not very glamorous pub 😂. They haven't realised I'm too posh for it and frankly my holey jumpers and un brushed hair are not alerting them to the fact I need to go somewhere more upmarket

@ATGforever a fruity mojito might definitely work yes.

@YouveGotAFastCar ok I'll try ordering a French martini next time

@Dontfuckingsaycheese i used to drink Dunkertons cider when I was having a bit of a breakdown in my 20s. Still insisted on organic beverages even at my moms desperate. But yes a decent cider would be an option

Flippin heck I can't seem to type a single reply without typos. Everyone will think I'm sloshed already

Pub wine is always absolutely atrocious. Around here they all seem to have something called Jack Rabbit, which is truly terrible and gives you a massive headache.

I always stick to a straight forward whisky, no mixer because they’re full of artificial sweeteners. I would drink beer but I’m allergic to barley, and cider is full of sugar.

Campari and soda

Vodka and coke is an acceptable drink, it's also my favourite. I also like vodka lime and lemonade.

If not vodka dark rum and ginger beer is delicious. I prefer OVD.

Campari and orange juice
Vodka and cranberry
Martini and lemonade - as in from a bottle martini or Cinzano - long while since I have had that so might not be remembering it correctly

Vodka lime and soda with fresh lime rather than cordial - you'll be able to see whether they have limes behind the bar before you ask for it. Or swap out the soda for ginger beer and you have a Moscow mule.

@MogTheMoogle will look out for naice cider and actually I do like gin I just don't like how it makes me feel- I'm generally a bit on the depressed side anyway (it's a hard life not being as posh as I think I ought to be) hence why bubbles suit me better than spirits also I once had truly horrendous period pains after a very moderate amount of gin. Not likely to try it again

moscow mule sounds just right if the ginger beer looks nice- the pub I went to recently did have Fentimans (which probably makes it not actually an old man pub) so that would have been a good plan if I'd thought of it

I love bad pub wine for some reason. It just hits right, especially from an awful glass in an old man’s pub.

Aperol spritz if they have it could work for you. Or I second looking at the bottled ciders.

I drink most things (except lager, too fizzy) if it's hot I'll order fruit cider with ice or rose spritzer, lunchtime or earlier I also choose real ale (citra hops ideally), wine with a meal is fine (except rose when hot) gin and tonic, particularly like mango or rhubarb and ginger gin, I do love fizz but it's £££ out so rare. Cocktails are my number one choice but not available at my local

Pint of Guinness.