jamie ann

Pretty Drinks 101

March 19th, 2008 at 7:46 am . Posted in me me me, nightlife .

I hate beer. I have never liked it. Yes, I am one of those girls. Well, maybe I would drink beer that tastes like magic because, really, who wouldn’t? To me, magic is Disney World. Beer that can give me Disney World AND strawberries all in one sip sounds freaking amazing in my book!

Anyway, you know those people who are like “It’s Friday!! Let’s go out and get WASTED!!!@!#!”?

Yeah, I’m most definitely not one of them. I’ve never have been. Okay, I lied. Maybe a few times when I was 19 and living in the dorms at DePaul, but that’s really it. I’m totally over that and think it’s kind of lame now. Now when I go out, I rarely drink, mainly because I always drive and I’m super paranoid. Occasionally, I will have a drink or two. I can guarantee you though, you will never find me drunk. My boyfriend’s been dating me for four years and I don’t think he has even seen me drunk, maybe slightly buzzed but that’s it.

When I go out, I stick with the standard vodka and cranberry or like, a gin and tonic.

You’re all like, “Damn, Jamie, could you be any more boring and predictable?”.

Now, I plead my case. I don’t know what else to get! Seriously, I don’t like going up to the bar and looking like an idiot trying to decide what to drink. I don’t know the names of pretty, frou frou looking cocktails.

How stupid would I sound saying, “Yes, can I have the pretty looking drink in the funny shaped glass, please?”

So my birthday is next week and I’m going out to celebrate. Help me not look like an idiot when I go up to the bar.

What are your favorite drinks?

Yummy tasting, please! I don’t do beer or shots.

64 Comments ( Reply )

Penelope23
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:05 am

Apple Martini’s are always good. As are Amaretto Sours. Those are really sweet tasting. Two other good ones are Red Bull and Vodka or Vodka Sprite.

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tiff
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:10 am

oh yes, blueberry vodka and lemonade is good, but more of a “on the back porch” drink.

Also the orange vodka and cranberry would kind of mix up your flavoring. I can’t say much though, I always get the same drink – vodka and soda with a lime.

Oh! Here’s one you can try. Bacardi and ginger ale with a splash of lime juice. It’s good!

Don’t think I usually get drunk! I’m more of a glass or two of wine kind of girl.

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La
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:20 am

I’m a very rare (if ever) drinker, too, but I find that the Mojito is a wonderfully delicious drink! Also, happy early birthday!

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Maxie
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:23 am

Um I have LOTS, but my two favorites are Midori Sour and Three Olives Cherry, Red Bull, and Cranberry. If you go somewhere that has a little menu they probably have a list of featured martinis that you can check out

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blogging barbie
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:25 am

Stoli Vanilla Vodka & Ginger Ale.

Trust.

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Thursday's Child
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:26 am

It’s beyond me how you can dislike the taste of beer but stomach the foulness of gin.

No accounting for taste, I suppose.

As for my favorite drink, some nice single malt scotch (neat. Ice ruins it.) really tickles my fancy.

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Benjamin Boudreau
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:30 am

I second the Amaretto Sours and would suggest ordering a Boston Martini if you ever see it on a menu. It’s made with Apricot Brandy (I think) and is as close to liquid magic as I’ve ever been able to find.

That being said, I went to a kegger in university that had raspberry beer. No beer can compare!

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julybug
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:31 am

I do drink, yet am as lost as you. I like vodka sprite, wine, wine, wine, wine, tequila sunrise, and wine.

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ashley
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:36 am

I can’t do beer either and it doesn’t bother me a bit. It just doesn’t do it for me to sit around drinking beer and watching football, while having burping contests. I’ll pass thanks.

Amaretto Sour. Heaven in a glass.

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Miriam
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:39 am

I am such a gin & tonic or whiskey and Diet Coke girl. I’m am not original in anyway

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Jenn
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:41 am

Amaretto Sours

I’m telling ya…these things are delicious. I’m a big fan of looking at the martini menu. So many flavors! Cosmos are always tasty and mojitos! Yum! They’re minty and good!

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1218blog
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:44 am

Capihrinas are very delicious! You can’t go wrong with a drink from a country that gave us Gisele BÃ¼ndchen.

The only thing not all bars have the mint leafs, and CachaÃ§a but it’s worth a try! Have a good Birthday!

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chele
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:50 am

oh oh… my standard is a cuba libre.
I love a good mojito when I want to enjoy a drink.
Lynchee martini for drown your sorrows with class drunk
i love getting wasted on maragritas, i love margaritas, could have one everyday

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maria
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:52 am

Ohmygosh, I could have written this post. I hardly ever drink much less get wasted (I always get sick and I don’t like the loss of control factor lol). I like pineapple juice & malibu/parrot bay. That’s usually my default and if you don’t like to drink many it’s perfect cuz it’s kind of sweet. Also, raspberry stoli & sprite with a dash of grenadine. That’s all I’ve got )

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Kari
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:55 am

Mmmm…as someone who doesn’t drink beer but likes to drink, I’m happy to help!

Amaretto sours are standard and yummy.
Tequila Sunrise is also a good standard drink that is good if they don’t make it too strong.
Margaritas are available pretty much anywhere.
Vanilla Vodka and Coke is a good option also.

Definitely check to see if they have a little drink menu ‘cuz that helps. The above mentioned drinks are available at every bar I’ve ever been to, so they are pretty good to try. Also, some bars have Hard Creamers available. It’s a fairly new drink, sort of like a wine cooler. But the strawberry? To die for. So if you see those, definitely get one of those!

Oh and Happy Birthday!!

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Michelle & the City
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:55 am

i’m a cranberry and vodka girl too, i rarely branch out. but a few other good drinks are :

long island iced tea
amaretto sour
kamikazi – seriously the best shot EVER. and if they make raspberry ones, even better

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Deutlich
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:58 am

I was a non-drinker for a very, very, VERY long time. To be frank, it’s only been in the last 8 months or so that my consumption of alcohol has increased. This is a direct result of seeing what alcoholism will do to a person.. So, don’t feel bad for being a non drinker.

Seriously.

Also? I always just ask the bartender. We’re girls, we’re allowed to do that, dammit.

I have noticed, though, that I really enjoy rums of any kind.

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E.P.
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:01 am

Oh my goodness. You sound JUST. LIKE. ME. I was never a party-hard kinda girl, and I didn’t even drink alcohol ’til I turned 21. Yeah. I was that girl. Today, I don’t drink that much, and if I do, my poison is an amaretto drink.

Haha. I bet there is some strawberry beer in your area. And hopefully, you’ll love it. And if not, we’ll have to work on getting you some…

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Dutchess of Kickball
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:19 am

I’m not going to be much help, because I always drink Vodka Tonics, but on occasion you can find me with a Bay Breeze.

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ToKisstheCook
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:32 am

Wow- it’s been awhile since I had an amaretto sour…I looooved those!! Susie and I were drinking raspberry and blueberry stoli with soda over the weekend. Not too sweet but with flavor. If you want a little more sugar, Sprite would do it.

Although, I’m pretty impressed with Blogging Barbie’s suggestion. I bet Stoli Vanilla and Ginger Ale tastes like Cream Soda!

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Nilsa S.
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:36 am

First, I’ve never been a big drinker, either. One or two drinks and I usually call it a night. My favorite non-beer drink? Stoli Orange (or any orange/manderin vodka) and 7-Up. Soooooo good.

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alexa
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:38 am

i personally drink blueberry stoli and water with a lemon. or wine or champagne. i can’t drink beer at all. it makes me too loopy and that’s just not fun.

but for you i would recommend a flavored run with pineapple. so tasty and you can barely taste the liquor. and throw a cherry in for good measure : )

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Hazel
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:45 am

I’m boring too. I always drink vodka tonics.

The only shot I can drink is a Scooby Snack because I’ve lost all tolerance for taking pure shots of vodka like I did freshman year of college.

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Each
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:50 am

i like Mojitos, and some martinis (i dont do really sweet, noted by my staple; vodka tonic or redbull)
i will only drink margaritas (on the rocks with salt) whilst eating salty mexian food.
sometimes i like baily’s on ice.

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Michelle
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:53 am

I was always a Long Island Iced Tea fan…but if you aren’t a drinker, you might want to skip that.

I agree with the poster who questioned hating beer but liking gin (blech).

In the summer my favorite drink is a margarita or a bacardi limon and diet sprite. Also a fan of cosmos. Rum and diet coke with lime if I am feeling boring.

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JP
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:02 am

I was never much of a drinker, I did it because everyone else did. I especially didn’t drink beer until I moved to a city where drinks are crazy expensive and it only costs one arm for a beer.

I like: amaretto sours, diet and vanilla vodka or cherry vodka, cherry long island iced teas, pomegranate mojitos, sangria, Red Bull and Jaegger. My all-time favorite is a vodka collins with grenadine, but very few people outside my college bar know what that is. If you ask for it, and they don’t look at you like you have two heads, please let me know. That bar also had this purple drink called a Spree, just like the candy. Delish.

I order whit zinfandel if I’m stuck for a drink. I’ve heard it described as the Kool Aid of wine.

Hope you have a fabulously tipsy birthday!

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Larissa
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:30 am

A few of my favorites:

Amaretto Sour
Pomegranate Martini
Lychee Martini

Hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration!

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survivingmyself
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:38 am

whiskey! Okay, I know, I know…

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Annette
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:39 am

I hate beer also. I am right with you on the magic tasting! Seriously. When I don’t know what to get I usually order a rum and coke. BORING! but my favorite drink ever at this very moment would is a three way tie between

Flirtini
Sangria
Apple Martini

Have a good birthday! My suggestion? Look at the menu, it’s ok to be that girl. I do it all the time and there is nothing wrong with it.

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Emily
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:45 am

Bay breeze – vodka, cranberry, and pineapple. You will love it. You can’t taste the vodka at all. Make sure they give you the pineapple, some bartenders get confused and make a sea breeze which is vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice – good if you like grapefruit juice – but never as tasty as the bay breeze!

I LOVE beer and I am not one for mixed drinks, but I get a bay breeze if I am super full or want something fruity and girly.

Drink one for me on your b-day!

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Jamie
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:45 am

Almost 30 comments and it’s not even noon. Alcohol brings out the comments haha

Thanks for the suggestions, guys, keep em coming!

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Valerie
Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:46 am

I saw flirtini already, which is an excellent choice. Also, I like mojitos. They’re very pretty and yummy.

The BEST cocktail I’ve ever had, though, was a Key Lime martini.

TO. DIE. FOR.

Especially if they line the rim of the glass with graham cracker crumbs.

*drool*

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Jenny
Mar 19, 2008 @ 11:04 am

I always drink bahama mamas or bermuda breeze. both made with coconut rum. tastes like suntan lotion! okay not really, but kinda. reminds me of the beach anyways.. sooo good.

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Joy @ Big Time Fancy
Mar 19, 2008 @ 11:42 am

Speaking as a bar worker – fancy foofy drinks are a pain in the arse for the server and for the bartender. Plus, unless you go to a foofy place that has a rep for badass martinis – most bars won’t have fancy crap to rim martini glasses with or really odd boozes. As a general rule of booze and boozing, the more simple you can keep things (read: your drinks), the more your bartender will like you – and the more you will like your bartender.

Blueberry vodka is amazing – it goes quite well with sprite. Ditto for peach vodka.
Amaretto stone sours are what I started on in college because I didn’t know any better – but they are pretty delicious.

There’s a SHOT called “pineapple upside down cake” but you can take it like a drink too – pineapple juice + vanilla vodka + amaretto + grenadine = tastes like cake.

If the bar stocks Pama (pomegranite booze) – put it with sprite. Also, just about any flavor of vodka (raspberry especially) will mix with lemonade. Cherry vodka + coke = simple and awesome.

Man, I haven’t had foofoo drinks in forever. These ARE hard to think of…

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katelin
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:03 pm

My newest favorite drink that I have raved about on several occasions is the Madris. It’s orange juice, cranberry juice and vodka. It’s heaven sent…mmmmmm.

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Laurel
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:30 pm

I mostly drink vodka tonics and vodka sodas. I’m boring, too! But on a rare occasion, I love any cocktail with ginger. Mixed with champagne or gin, it’s fantastic!

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distracted spunk
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:40 pm

Not much of a drinker here, but I did do some experimenting while in college.

#1 drink: Amaretto sours. So fucking good. When I go out now, that’s almost always what I get.
#2: Vodka collins with grenadine (I think I saw someone else post this.)
#3: Mandarin vodka with sprite: tastes like fruit punch. I swear.

If you’re going for shots, here’s my recommendation:
#1: Chocolate cake. Cake in a drink? I’m down.
#2: Purple motherfucker. Very few bartenders know how to make this, but if you can find one and they do it right, it tastes exactly like Italian ices. Rainbow, to be precise. I don’t know if they do Gino’s italian ices in Chicago, but they were a staple of my childhood.
#3: SoCo with lime. Simple, tasty, easy. Sweet.

I can probably think of more, but these are my usual standbys if I’m buying shots or drinks.

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tia
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:42 pm

i’m a cosmopolitan girl myself. if i’m not drinking the skinny bitch (vodka & diet coke) then i’m drinking beer (stella, clearly) or COSMOS! cuz they’re yummy.

but they’ll still get you hammered.

sometimes, i’m a big fan of raspberry stoli and 7 up.

and try a red headed slut. if you like sweet drinks, they’re good. they’re usually made in a shooter form, and it’s grenadine, peach schnapps, and jager.

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Tipp
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:43 pm

I fourth or five or sixth the Amaretto Sour. You cannot go wrong with that!
I am also very boring and also always get a Cosmo too!

Happy testing!

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Hope
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:45 pm

I’m not much of a drinker either. But when I do, these are my staples.

In the winter, I’ll order Vodka Sprite.

In the summer, Malibu and Pineapple juice.

And anytime I want a brightly coloured drink, I’ll go with a Strawberry or Mango Daiquiri.

Also, I was never a fan of beer until I tried Belgian fruit flavoured beer like strawberry? Oh yum!

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Stella B.
Mar 19, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

i’m soooo w/ you lady. try Stella’s ‘fretza!’ tho…one day when you’re feelin a bit craaaazy. white wine + fresca + ice = fretza! it’s pretty fantastic.

check it. love it. live it.

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Tina Vaziri
Mar 19, 2008 @ 1:21 pm

I love bloody marys, but any kind of sweet flavoring added to vodka is good too, you have a lot to try out from all these comments, have a great birthday!!

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verybadcat
Mar 19, 2008 @ 1:31 pm

I’m in your boat, but I have discovered that orange-pineapple juice, absolut citron, and a little sprite is very, very dangerous. I don’t know if you can get that at a bar, or what it’s called, but damn is it good.

I always ask a man to order for me. If WH isn’t around, then I’m usually out for business, and all my managers and coworkers are male. If for some odd reason, I don’t have any of those options available, I just ask a cute guy to do it for me.

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Jamie
Mar 19, 2008 @ 2:01 pm

I don’t really have any recs for you. I’m pretty much a beer girl & lately I’ve been the “Hey it’s Tuesday, let’s go get smashed!”. Ok not really, but more than I was when I was married & domesticated;)

I’m loving loving mojito’s right now. If you like mint you’ll like it. But it’s not a sweet drink. I’m totally going to try the cran & vodka drink, I can’t ever think of drinks to order either.

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Jamie
Mar 19, 2008 @ 2:10 pm

I’m predictable too. I usually order vodka and cranberry or an Amaretto Stone Sour (mmmm!). Sometimes I do rum and coke but not usually!

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Renee
Mar 19, 2008 @ 3:20 pm

I have the opposite problem. I love the drink. But definitely in moderation. (Like Fridays and Saturdays are moderation, right?) If I’m not in a beer mood (because, let’s face it, I love specialty beers almost as much as I love CNN), I’ll switch between some standard favorites- spiced rum and diet Coke with lime, coconut rum and pineapple juice (DELICIOUS), margaritas, long islands, or just about any kind of rum with orange juice (raspberry is a good suggestion).

I sincerely hope one day you’ll find a beer you enjoy. It doesn’t all taste like Keystone Light, I PROMISE. Try something you add fruit to, like Corona with a slice of lime or Blue Moon with a slice of orange.

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Gooseberried
Mar 19, 2008 @ 3:28 pm

My drink is a rum and coke. Apparently that makes me boring. Happy Birthday soon!

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Um... Yum!
Mar 19, 2008 @ 3:36 pm

Ooooh fun! I went to bartending school and learned all the standard drinks, and I learned that most bartenders don’t know all the standard drinks (I went to a club and asked for a zombie and got a very blank smile and a “wha?”). I agree with everyone else in that Amaretto Sours are your best bet because if a bartender doesn’t know how to make a sour, he or she needs to go. If you like cran and vodka, you could always ask for a cosmo. Bay breezes and sea breezes are also very girlie and tasty. And if you lik gin, Tom Collins is one of my faves. )

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Heather
Mar 19, 2008 @ 4:25 pm

Hmm..
I am a beer drinker.
It’s cheap, easy, and usually great for social situations.

However, when I feel like drinking mixed drinks, I usually go with some kind of martini (my new fave is pomegranate). I also like Sex on The Beach (a drink, or a shot, depending on what you want), Amaretto Sours (but beware, too many will make your stomach sick because they are so sweet), Bacardi & Diet Coke (less calories) or Long Island Iced Teas (which will knock you on your ass if you’re not careful, so remember to SIP them, don’t gulp.)
Hope this helps bebe.

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Andrea
Mar 19, 2008 @ 6:21 pm

I’m more of a rum and coke kinda girl… cheap and good. For girly drinks, I like all the fruit ‘tinis; appletinis, crantinis, berrytinis. A martini bar near where I went to college made flirtinis, with pineapple juice and champagne. See if you can find one somewhere!

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Hope
Mar 19, 2008 @ 6:40 pm

I like Cosmopolitans. Sure, they’re a bit clichÃ©, but that’s because they’re also delicious! When I’m feeling less girly, I ask for Jack and Gingers (Jack Daniels and gingerale).

I’ve found that bartenders respond well to, “It’s my birthday and I want something fun! Can you make me something really girly, tasty and pretty?” A good bartender will ask what kind of flavors you want and you can say something along the lines of “how about coconut?” and they’ll make you a Funky Monkey (I totally just looked that up on webtender.com).

I also like lemon drop shots. And caramel apple martinis.

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Andrea
Mar 19, 2008 @ 6:44 pm

My drink is a Goose and tonic, extra lime. Vodka tonic is MUCH MUCH superior to its gin counterpart! When I’m taking it easy, though, I get a Grey Goose bay breeze (vodka, cranberry, pineapple on the rocks.) Or you can get a French martini, which is the same thing, no ice, but shaken up until it’s all frothy and pink. It’s very pretty.

I used to be an Amaretto sour drinker, but I haven’t had one in forever. These comments are probably going to make me go on an Amaretto sour binge, though.

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Kayleigh
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:12 pm

I like Flirtinis. They are champagne, vodka, pineapple juice with a cherry garnish. This post of yours made my entire week worthwhile.

And wow, I went to DePaul too, and lived in the dorms for two years…..can we please discuss????

Maybe we knew each other in non-blog life?!!?!

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Vanessa
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:18 pm

I hate beer too! EEEWWWWW! Go for wine, red wine. That’s my love! Current favorite? J Lohr Cabernet

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Glamorous152
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:30 pm

Capt & Diet * Cosmos * Strawberry Stripper * Long Island Iced Tea * Push Up/Dreamsickle (same drink, different names) * Vodka Collins * Malibu (mango flavored) & Strawberry Breeze Fruit Drink * Amaretto Sweet * etc.

If you like fruity, go with the vodka collins or strawberry stripper. Cosmos? Nothing but alcohol and will give ya a lil kick. Definately good though. My fav.

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Princess Pointful
Mar 19, 2008 @ 8:48 pm

I hate beer. I also hate that I hate beer… because it seems so damn high maintenance.

I, however, love malibu and pineapple, or vanilla vodka and coke. I also love drinks with twelve umbrellas, but those two seem a little less high maintenance.

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Clueless Cat
Mar 19, 2008 @ 11:55 pm

Lychee martinis!! They’re SO good, and you can’t even taste the alcohol if the bartender makes a good one

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Holly
Mar 20, 2008 @ 5:27 am

I don’t like beer either. Blergh.

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somechick84
Mar 20, 2008 @ 1:02 pm

Look at this! I’m so glad you posted this, I am the same way! Now look at all the drinks we’ll have to try… funny too, because I just took a job as a shot girl/bartender in training at a night club…. so at least I’ll learn what to order?

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Ashley
Mar 21, 2008 @ 8:01 pm

Um, I absolutely detest beer. And when I say detest? The thought of it makes me want to vomit.

I am definitely a martini girl, love cosmos, Lychee, and chocolate martinis. pina coladas are awesome. I like white russians, cape cods (cranberry juice and vodka) and oj & vodka. Baileys on the rocks is sooo yummy too.

I swear i’m not an alcoholic!

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poodlegoose
Mar 21, 2008 @ 10:56 pm

I’m not much of a drinker myself. I am Asian, and a lot of Asian folks tend to have a lower tolerance due to lots of things I’m not going to go into here. If I do drink, I usually stick to the basics: cranberry & vodka and white russians. After about one, I’m done.

And sorry for leaving so many comments you’ll have to approve/reject. I’m just loving your blog right now!

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Kristen
Mar 22, 2008 @ 12:40 pm

Im a vodka tonic girl myself.. I cant help you out!

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Jamie Ann

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