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Original poster

accommodating guests' drinks requests.....

28 replies

kindbutnotrich · 20/02/2010 01:41

... am having people round to dinner next weekend, several couples, friends of DH (more aquaintances really). I asked if there was anything they didn't like to eat, and whether there was anything in particular they liked to drink (thinking I wanted to cater for everyone without buying in every wine/aperartif/digestif imaginable....) Food preferences ok. But drinks - OMG, wish I hadn't asked. Was thinking it would help me balance what I was buying- but am getting very precise requests : "Gin, Bombay Sapphire please"; "Champagne, not Cava/Prosecco/supermarket brands" - yes, honestly....)..." etc.
OK, I know now I shouldn't have asked - but when I add it all up, am looking at ove £100 for drinks before I even get to the wine. What to do? DH says "sod 'em" and am inclined to agree - but I did ask and some of them have been so vocal abotu what they do and don't like, that I'd be embarrassed to put out "cheaper" - and that's relative - versions of their preferences. Am thinking of cancelling!!!

OP posts:
BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 20/02/2010 01:44

Just buy the supermarket own brands, if they want something specific they should bring it themselves. I wouldn't have asked them what drinks they wanted, at least you know who will take the p*ss now though.

coldtits · 20/02/2010 01:45

Put the word out that as "all the drinks preferences are so varied", you genially suggest that they bring their own!

TBH - people who make precise orders and treat their friends like staff are not people I would cook for at all. I'd cancel.

Original poster
kindbutnotrich · 20/02/2010 01:47

thanks Belle. When I asked what drinks, I was thinking " do they prefer beer or wine: white/red/rose; gin/whisky/brandy/port...." never for one moment thought they'd be expressing preferences for brands (including one person suggesting a £30+ bottle of bubbly

OP posts:
Original poster
kindbutnotrich · 20/02/2010 01:48

coldtits, had come to same conclusion "bring what you want to drink...." or ... cancel. Am undecided right now!

OP posts:
BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 20/02/2010 01:56

Champagne can be replaced with Cava, it's the same stuff, it's just not allowed to be called champagne as it's not from the champagne region in France!! Darn cheek if you ask me. Gin tastes the same when it's mixed with something, they are taking the p*ss.

nooka · 20/02/2010 02:37

Unless it is a very special celebration I'd just offer wine. Possibly either an aperitif or a digestif. I think I'd try and choose something that is not on anyone's list of like or dislike. What about a bucks fizz with cava or supermarket champagne (who would know if you don't show the bottle) - or my father does a really nice framboise/cassis mix with sparkling wine or a very dry white. If they don't like it, well as I say to visiting kids, there is always water!

LyraSilvertongue · 20/02/2010 03:00

Well, Bombay Sapphire is a lovely gin but London Dry will do just as well, (and they prob wouldn't notice the difference). Good Prosecco just as good as Champagne.
They really can't expect to get the very best at someone else's expense.

Jacksmama · 20/02/2010 03:50

OMG!!! Are these acquaintances likely to become friends? I'd be showing them the back door! The bloody cheek!

If I were invited to dinner somewhere, I'd state food preferences along the lines of "I'm so sorry but I really dislike fish and seafood" (but if not asked and put in front of me I would choke it down and pretend to like it) - but if asked about drinks I'd say "whatever you have will be lovely, can I bring anything?" These people really are taking the piss.

TrillianAstra · 20/02/2010 04:30

That's really rude of them.

ArcticFox · 20/02/2010 05:17

I am frankly speechless (very rare occurrance- ask DH)

They clearly have no manners so buy the brands you normally buy and sod them- actually, dont, buy that Tesco value gin that tramps drink. I mean, who goes to a dinner party and says "Oh I'll have a Bombay Sapphire and schweppes please"

If you are feeling nicer than me, Brown Bros do a fantastic Cava (served it at my wedding)- it's normally available from Majestic ror Waitrose. It's about £8 a bottle.

All I can say is they'd better not turn up with a bottle of Lambrusco and some petrol station flowers!!

Pancakeflipper · 20/02/2010 05:26

buy a few bottles of cava and then red and white wine as expected at a dinner party. Stuff the expensive gin slugging guests... It's a dinner party not a "get off my face sloshed" evening.

They are getting fed. They can be grateful.

Rindercella · 20/02/2010 06:38

What ruder buggers!

I'm with Coldtits actually - I would be feeling very disinclined to cater for these rude wankers now.

seeker · 20/02/2010 07:24

I would cancel. I wouldn't want to entertain anyone who would behave in this bizarre manner - who knows what else they might do??

Or send another email saying "I'm so sorry - I should have explained that I am muslim and don't have alcohol in the house. I was asking what fruit juice you prefer".

And if you ever ask a question like this again, say "Is there anything anyone doesn't like?" rather than asking them what they do like.

Original poster
kindbutnotrich · 20/02/2010 08:35

thanks all. Realise now it was a very silly question to ask - but didn't expect such specific and expensive answers! I usually offer Cava (or bucks fizz/kir royale) gin (Gordons!), beer, or wine with port/whisky/brandy/Baileys after. Thought I was being generous asking, ie to make sure I had vodka if there was a vodka drinker. But to be told categorically which brand of gin and one saying that they only drink good label champagne, I was gobsmacked.

OP posts:
hf128219 · 20/02/2010 08:54

The cheek of them all!

If I were you I'd get yourself down the recyling centre and find an empty bottle of Bombay Sapphire and fill it with any old gin.

sarah293 · 20/02/2010 09:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

thehillsarealive · 20/02/2010 10:17

how rude of those people.

Serve them what you were going to and suggest that those who ONLY (and i dont believe that) drink Bombay Sapphire/champers bring their own.

That is just bad manners of them to behave like that.

Are you sure that they were being serious, because I might answer an email asking what I drank with "only the finest Cristal and premier cru from .... vineyard flown in and checked for corkage" while in RL expecting a choice of Red/White and a coffee afterwards. But then you said they were not friends just aquaintances of husband.

I do know someone who only likes to drink Champagne and will bring her own to an evening in, which is fine as she doesnt expect anyone to pay £30 for her brand.

hmmmmmmmmm

moondog · 20/02/2010 10:47

How fucking ridiculous.
Anyone with an ounce of manners knows correct answer is grateful smile and a 'Gosh, we're just fine with anything.Really looking forward to it by the way. Can i bring you anything?'

Saltire · 20/02/2010 10:57

If I was going to someone's house for dinner, I really wouldn't expect to get any spirits, and would definately take a bottle or 2 of white wine, or one each red and white(DH drinks red). I certainly wouldn't say "Oh I'd like to drink Moet Chnadon all evening"

DottyDot · 20/02/2010 10:59

Blimey - if we're having people round to dinner I think I'm doing really well if we've got a bottle of wine in!

Definitely need just wine for the meal and if you've got any port/spirits they're bloody lucky - otherwise it's straight on to the coffee and then get rid of them!

KittySpencersEmerald · 20/02/2010 11:00

say " we haev cinzano or dubonnet"
and thats it

aseriouslyblondemoment · 20/02/2010 12:00

that's truly shocking!
why on earth are you entertaining people like this?
it makes me wonder what else they'll be turning their noses up at when they're round your house?
if you really want to go thru with this i'd stick purely to wine or g&t as an aperatif,wine during the meal and then maybe a glass of something fizzy with dessert
cuvee napa is a fab californian sparkler and you can point out to the wine snobs that it's made by champagne mumm or get green point made by moet & chandon{two fingered emoticon}

Earthymama · 20/02/2010 12:11

Honestly am !!

I would expect to take my own drinks to a dinner party (in my case informal supper more likely!)as I am sadly unable to drink wine or beer.

So I would arrive clutching a bottle of Gordons, some tonic, and a lime, or some nice cider, Thatchers Katy is like rosé plus a bottle of wine for mine hosts if they don't like gin or cider.

I am so glad I'm not posh!!

donnie · 20/02/2010 12:16

why don't you make up a nice - and potent - punch beforehand ? that way everybody gets something exotic and they won't dare complain as you've gone to so much trouble. Perhaps some red, white and beer on standby for dull folks but I reckon that'd solve it. If you shove loads of mint and lemon slices in it noone will ever know....

taffetacat · 20/02/2010 13:41

It sounds like they are all trying a bit too hard to impress with their drinks snobbery.

Do they all know each other? As suggested, I would let them know in advance there was a bit of variance on the drinks front, so is it OK to surprise them?

Then serve them any old crap something you would be happy to drink.

Or fill your own glass up with some good stuff you have stashed in a kitchen cupboard and give them the out of date home brew.

But most definitely sounds like you will need to get pissed to make it through the evening with that lot.

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