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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

17 year old wants to try alcohol

46 replies

Inniu · 03/10/2019 21:55

DD is 17 and quite sensible.

She is going to a function in a few weeks and wants to have a drink with her friends before she goes.

I would prefer she didn’t especially going out to a function but I am not going to try to stop her.

She is clueless about alcohol though and I don’t want her trying something too strong.

What is a fairly light alcoholic drink for a 17 year old?

I think I drank West Coast Cooler at 18 or 19. Would teens today drink something similar or is that an old person drink?

OP posts:
PantTwizzler · 03/10/2019 21:56

Fruity cider seems to be the tipple of choice round here.

(And vodka but I don’t think that ticks your boxes.)

Poppyfields21 · 03/10/2019 21:57

Are you in the US OP? It’s quite unusual for a 17 year old not have ever tried alcohol in the UK. I’d advise a homemade cocktail probably, using a half measure of spirit rather than whole if you’re concerned.

Northernsoullover · 03/10/2019 21:59

I really wouldn't encourage it. You have to be realistic and accept that she may try it but I certainly wouldn't facilitate it. I'd talk to her about the dangers of spirits and sensible drinking.
We live in such an alcohol driven society. Its ok not to drink.

OhTheRoses · 03/10/2019 21:59

Eh? Has your 17 year old never had a glass of wine, pimms, beer, shandy, weak spirit and mixer?

Shouldn't be an issue imo

cavendish4 · 03/10/2019 21:59

I remember throwing up from drinking stolen vodka from my parents at 15. Turned out to be an alright adult.

Stopping alcohol makes it more elusive and desirable as a result which leads to misuse

Toomanycats99 · 03/10/2019 22:01

I remember throwing up out my dads car window at 15 after drinking vodka and orange. 17 does seem quite late.....

dementedpixie · 03/10/2019 22:02

I remember being in the pub age 14. Dd(15) has been offered a taste but so far has declined. Has she never tried anything? It was things like Smirnoff ice and bacardi breezer that I used to drink

Northernsoullover · 03/10/2019 22:03

I agree with you on that Cavendish which is why I haven't banned my teens from drinking. They don't at home because I don't drink but I have warned them about the dangers. At the moment they have chosen not to drink.

Daddylonglegs1965 · 03/10/2019 22:04

I would go for cider or wine with a lowish strength maybe have a drink or two at home in a safe environment the week before and try to encourage her to be sensible and avoid the spirits. Cross your fingers she doesn’t go wild 😜 on the vodka or something. Although she probably will sooner or later.

Original poster
Inniu · 03/10/2019 22:06

We are in Ireland and some teens do drink very young but I do think DD hasn’t tried alcohol yet.
She is quite clear she wants to now though.

OP posts:
DoubtingMyPatience · 03/10/2019 22:08

I was in town with a fake ID at 15 getting aboutelt mullered. Would regularly have a civilised glass of wine or a Smirnoff ice/WKD with my mum on the weekends when my siblings went to dads house.

I’m 23 now, did all my drinking and being silly before I was about 19/20 and now I’ve got a mortgage, good career and starting our family.
Yet I know a lot of the much more refined girls who I knew at school are currently coked up down the local every weekend and skipping job to job. I know it depends on the persona do their attitude.

But don’t assume because people drink young means their going to grow up a shitebag. IMO it’s quite the opposite. Hmm

Give the poor girls a G&T. Parma violet gin with lemonade she will absolutely love! Probably not tonic water though..

titchy · 03/10/2019 22:10

A couple of bottles of San Miguel or similar would do the job wouldn't they?

TrixieFranklin · 03/10/2019 22:14

Archers, southern comfort or Malibu with lemonade were my drinks at that age, before that it was Smirnoff ice and white lightning Envy

Drum2018 · 03/10/2019 22:15

Smirnoff Ice has about the same % alcohol as a beer. It's easy to drink - though maybe too easy. Fair play to her for getting to this age without alcohol.

joystir59 · 03/10/2019 22:16

Bloody hell. I would never have involved my parents in my social life at that age. She is old enough to drive, get married, leave home.

dementedpixie · 03/10/2019 22:16

Red bacardi breezer was a favourite at one point. Turns your tongue red though

pontiouspilates · 03/10/2019 22:17

Fruit cider or those Smirnoff Ice drinks would fit the bill.

dementedpixie · 03/10/2019 22:18

You get fruit cider in wee bottles too as well as cans

CodenameVillanelle · 03/10/2019 22:21

Why is she asking you what alcohol she should drink? That's very odd.

WatcherintheRye · 03/10/2019 22:24

Is it the same in Ireland as in the UK, where a 16 year old can legally have a drink in a pub with a meal in the company of an adult? If so, why not have a couple of pub lunches before the event she's due to go to. She can try out some drinks (not spirits though!)

WatchingFromTheWings · 03/10/2019 22:37

Why is she asking you what alcohol she should drink? That's very odd.

I did this! My best friends 18th was 2 months before mine. I'd only ever drunk sherry and rose wine at home. Had no idea what to ask for in a pub or club! Probably wasn't a good idea to ask my mother though, who suggested Babycham. All my mates were on Malibu/Taboo/vodka. I learnt quick enough!

Daddylonglegs1965 · 03/10/2019 22:44

Don’t berate the OP and her DD. Things have changed it is now much harder for teenagers to buy drink these days than when we or certainly when I was under 18.

In a local supermarket this week a cashier was telling me about challenge 25 whereby cashiers can ask for ID if a person doesn’t look 25. As if they get caught serving alcohol to under 18’s its a massive fine.
So if OP’s daughter wants alcohol she’s asked her mum.

LimitIsUp · 03/10/2019 22:54

My 17 year old dd favours Smirnoff Ice - quite a low alcohol content by volume

cricketmum84 · 03/10/2019 23:04

Personally I would facilitate it and let her have a drink with you rather than a friend turning up with a bottle of vodka...

White wine spritzer, or a low alcohol sparkling wine maybe? I'm always a bit cautious around alcopops as they just taste like pop rather than alcohol. (Even though I drank them as a teenager)