ThinkandDrive asked in the forum, but I’d like to make sure that everyone has a chance to chime in:
Tonight is the farewell happy hour for my company’s corporate security/risk director. I’ve had some direct dealings with him as he sits/sat one level above my boss.I expect that there are going to be many execs and big wigs, perhaps even the CEO, in attendance tonight.
I don’t want to come off as a beer-swilling proletariat. Since there’s going to be an open tab for a good part of the evening, I’m thinking of stepping it up a bit and ordering a few cocktails.
It can’t be anything that’s going to get me sloppy drunk, and has to be something I can sip for a while and won’t make me look like I’m drinking Kool-Aid.
I was thinking about a gibson. But it should also be refreshing. A gimlet perhaps?
First of all, “beer-swilling proletariat”? For shame! You should be the shining paragon who exhibits the qualities of the modern beer drinker, impressing them with your embrace of the basic fundaments of quality.
But I understand where you’re coming from. My suggestion, tempered by the presumption that most bartenders don’t know a Horse Neck from a Tom Collins, would be a whisky sour: very sippable, but still the color of a drink befitting a man destined for management.
My personal favorite is a Vodka Tonic, squeeze and ditch the fruit.
Now vodka is all personal preference, and I am a huge fan of V1, but you can’t get it outside of New England. Grey Goose tastes a bit off to me, while Kettle One settles nicely. Ciroc tops the list though, its made from grapes not wheat or potatoes so it has a refreshing taste.
If your not a vodka fan, a Gin and Tonic works, but get it with Bombay Sapphire, as it gives a crisp, clean taste.
Vodka Soda always works too. Gets away from the sweetness of the tonic.
I’ll second the Bombay Sapphire and soda. Whenever I’m on someone else’s tab (and at a place that serves golden yellow swill and calls it beer) I’m all over this drink.
I 3rd the Gin & Tonic with Bombay Sapphire (a must, really). I also have a fondness for Marker’s Mark and Diet Coke. The diet version only because I find regular Coke a little too sweet for the drink.
A gimlet is a great idea and relatively uncommon. A Martini is always acceptable. If you’re going to be in a corporate setting where being the soberest guy in the room is an asset, I’d recommend switching to ginger ale with a twist after one or two. It looks like a cocktail without being one.
… if you’re really looking to impress people, learn about whiskey. Drinking decent scotch, and knowing the proper way to order it, is a sign that you know what you’re doing… or knowing enough about bourbon to ask for something nice, that’s impressive as well.
Order a Manhattan on the rocks, in a tumbler. It’s tasty when well made, and looks decently classy. Take it slow, though, because they pack a whallop. I’d say stick to two or less, for the night. Let the ice melt, it’ll water it down a bit and take the edge off.
Many bartenders will screw this up terribly, but you know what? If they can’t make a good Manhattan, you need to get the fuck out of that bar and find a new crew to roll with.
Few would consider you a beer-swilling proletariat; some might consider you a beer-swilling proletarian.
I’d advise a Pimm’s Cup. Very refreshing, very tasty, not generally very strong. Alternately, a mojito or a caipirinha.
I’d also second the Scotch comment, with the caveat that tonight is not the time to start learning to drink it. Half the battle with Scotch is being able to pronounce the distillery names; the other half is not ending up under the table screaming quotes from Highlander.
“Few would consider you a beer-swilling proletariat; some might consider you a beer-swilling proletarian.”
Well, of course, I’d screw that up, wouldn’t I?
All great recommendations, guys! Keep them coming.
vodka tonic, all the way. i can’t do gin, what with the whole “licking a pine tree” thing is has. but an excellently made vodka tonic, with kettle one, is the way to go.
Gin and Tonic is never a bad choice
I’d advise against whiskey in any significant amount as only bad things can happen after I meet up with my friend Jameson for an extended period of time
If you have a glass of water per cocktail, note for note, then you’ll have no worries. Munch on some of the finger food at least once each hour.
As a side note: every office party I’ve ever been to has been followed by an employee coming in late without any ill will from the bosses. After the first office party I got absolutely schnackered at, I woke up the next day at noon (three hours late for work) with a headache. My phone was buzzing, the sign of a text message, and my boss had sent me a text moments earlier that read: “Get up, throw up, go fix Linda’s computer.” It was his turn to go home and nurse his headache. Nice job.
I’m surprised not one person mentioned the tactic of ordering whatever your immediate supervisor/person who can promote you orders. Creates an immediate bond and something to talk about (if it’s something you know nothing about an “I always wanted to try one of those” would work). Of course you could get stuck drinking Campari and soda like I did…but the promotion was well worth it.
Mixing water in with your cocktails is a good idea. It’s too bad I always remember to that when I wake up the next day on my living-room floor.
Learning about good bourbon (and I’m VERY partial to Maker’s MARK) is a great way to impress, without coming off snobbish like you can sometimes with Scotch. (No offense, Scotch drinkers. I’m one myself.)
I’ve yet to sample it myself, but a gin and tonic with Hendrick’s gin might help you to stand out (assuming the bar serves it) from the crowd. This would only really work, I guess, if people you wanted to impress were within earshot as you ordered the drink.
The nice part about Bombay is that they get most of the flavor of the juniper out of it, so it isn’t like, as it was so eloquently said “licking a pine tree”.
If your all about the pine tree goodness, then Tangeray si your stuff. Tangeray 10 is much smoother, but still doesn’t hold a candle to Sapphire.
When it comes to the job, don’t ever get shitfaced in front of anyone that matters, being a drunkard is not a good rep. A social drinker (2-3 drinks) that is nice to be around is a plus, but not a sloppy drunk (10+). Save that for friday and saturday night, when you can afford to toss on some beer goggles with friends at a bar/club. Gotta keep the alcoholism in check until the weekend.
Throw in a another vote for Tanqueray or Bombay and tonic. Delicious. Maybe a seven and seven?
I vote for a black velvet. It’s got beer in it and it will never get you drunk. Sure it comes in a gay champagne glass and it tastes bad, but your bosses will just think you’re eccentric.
Scotch and ginger ale. Tastes really good and you don’t see it ordered a lot. For some reason, some bars don’t stock ginger ale. an ambitious bartender, eager to please, made me one with half coke and half sprite and it wasn’t half bad either
My favorite sipping drink is a Black Russian. I’m not sure if it qualifies as what you’re looking for, but it tastes so damn good.
Well, the night went very well. I started out by ordering a gimlet. The server took a moment to think about it and said, “Ummm, I think we’re all out of that.” *rolls eyes*
I schooled her and she kept them coming all night. I eventually switched off to beer; Bue Moon, no fruit. ;)
Got a chance to speak with some of the highter ups and generally work the room a bit. Thanks for all of your advice, guys!
“I vote for a black velvet. It’s got beer in it and it will never get you drunk. Sure it comes in a gay champagne glass and it tastes bad, but your bosses will just think you’re eccentric.”
I’m going to have to disagree …maybe you’ve had them made differently? Usually it’s a stout and champagne (not sure how that combo wouldn’t get you drunk), but at my local pub makes them with guinness, cider, and a shot of black current. oh so tasty and about 4 of those gets me quite tipsy. (maybe b/c i suck them down so quickly?)
Thaddeus,
Stout and cider makes a snakebite. Adding black current would make it a Diese or a Purple Nasty.
Regarding cocktail that are sippable and not kool-aid-esque the (stero)typical masculine liqours are gin and whisky. Most modern gentlemen are not fond of the pinesol taste of gin which leaves whilsky. I would recomend a Manhattan (2 oz. rye [not, under any circumstances burbon] 1 oz. sweet vermouth, and 2 dashs of bitters).
Esquire has a fair list of whisky cocktail (more here).
~Queue
MOD: Please delete the previous post.
Queue, I’m going to have to disagree with you.
Granted, I’ve not had a Manhattan with Rye, but I find that good bourbon (I’ve had good luck with Woodford Reserve), bitters, and equal parts dry and sweet vermouth is the way to go. I’ll have to try it with rye whisky, and see what happens, but I think that having both kinds of vermouth is the secret, with bourbon.
Straight up gin and tonic is a real mans drink. Scotch or whiskey on the rocks is certainly suitable as well. In a suit and tie setting, beer is for plebians and workaday stiffs. And for christs sake, don’t do shots of anything in this setting.
Unless the biggest business card at the table orders them. Then you order the next round.