Thanks for reminding me that I need to buy condoms.

Bourbon (rocks), bold red wine, buttery chardonnay, dark beer. I'm a simple woman.

Steph's grocery list: condoms, bourbon, wine, beer, corset strings.

You're a simple little vanilla girl, yo.

You're a simple little vanilla girl, yo.

All the way.

develop a rep as the kind of pretentious boob who assumes that bars carry multiple varieties of bitters on the off chance someone will order one of these.

Dude! Any bar that doesn't have Angostoura and Peychaud bitters would be unable to do half the drinks in any classic cocktail book.

I get that not every bar is going to have All-Spice Dram but any self-respecting bar that does more than pull Guinness would have those bitters.

::recalls saddening trip to Irish bar in the Richmond District where the friendly Irish bartender fumbled through a completely inept martini::

So what should the "not a heavy drinker, does not like the taste of anything stronger than wine straight" order? Is white wine a fail? Sherry?

So what should the "not a heavy drinker, does not like the taste of anything stronger than wine straight" order? Is white wine a fail? Sherry?

They do have lighter cocktails that are more refreshing and not designed to get you hammered. I've seen some places call them "afternoon cocktails." Things like a Pimm's Cup are pretty light. Champagne cocktails. Lots of Italian drinks for afternoon cafes - Campari drinks etc. - are fairly light.

re: Lambrusco

It reminds me of college, and it makes me smile. That and Mateus Rose and the bottle that every dorm room had, with a candle stuck in it. "Damn it, I only have dripless candles! Who's got candles that drip!"

Then there was the night that the guy I was sleeping with told me--in bed!--that he was engaged. I kicked him--literally--out of bed, laughed, then sat in a friend's room and drank a whole bottle of wine and never lost the power of clear speech.

Ah, college and the stories I never bothered to tell my mother.

I get that not every bar is going to have All-Spice Dram but any self-respecting bar that does more than pull Guinness would have those bitters.

You probably have a decent shot at three kinds of bitters if they have Guinness on tap.

Ah, college and the stories I never bothered to tell my mother.

Dude, I don't even want to think about my mom's reaction to college stories. Hell, high school ones too, for that matter. I was a bit of the hell raiser/stupid risk taker. I sometimes wonder how I made it past 21! It also terrifies me when thinking of a future child. Do as I say, not as I did!

I forgot how fast you people post.

Barb, ~mas and ~mas and ~mas. I might be a little bit away, but for what it's worth, I'll hold your hand. Good luck!