Not everyone who orders a cocktail actually likes the taste of alcohol. This sounds slightly strange because, well, cocktails contain alcohol, but it is actually pretty common. Some people find spirits too sharp, others don't enjoy that warm burning feeling, and some simply prefer drinks that taste more like fruit, citrus, ginger or something sweet.
That doesn't mean you have to sit at a bar with a glass of soda while everyone else orders cocktails.
The trick is knowing what to order. Drinks with fresh fruit, citrus, soda, ginger beer, coconut or sweeter liqueurs tend to make the alcohol less obvious than spirit-forward cocktails. And if you're new to drinking, the difference can be quite noticeable. A Martini or Old Fashioned is probably not where I'd start if you already know you don't enjoy the taste of spirits.
Here are a few cocktails that make the alcohol a little less obvious while still tasting like proper cocktails.
A Mojito is probably one of the easiest cocktails to try if the taste of alcohol puts you off. It has white rum, fresh lime, mint, sugar and soda water, so there is quite a lot happening apart from the spirit.
The lime brings acidity, the sugar rounds everything out and the mint makes the whole drink feel fresh. Soda water also keeps it light and refreshing. The rum is still there, obviously, but it doesn't have to be the main flavour in every sip.
A good Mojito should taste bright and refreshing rather than like a glass of rum with some lime thrown into it.
If you are ordering one at a bar, asking for it with plenty of lime and mint is not a bad idea.
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The Moscow Mule is another useful starting point, particularly if you like ginger ale or ginger beer.
The classic version combines vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. Vodka is relatively neutral compared with spirits such as whisky or tequila, while ginger beer brings sweetness, spice and a bit of heat of its own. That means the vodka can sit quietly in the background rather than dominating the drink.
The ginger is actually quite helpful here because it gives the cocktail a stronger flavor of its own. You get the spicy, fizzy ginger first, followed by citrus, with the alcohol sitting underneath it.
Just remember that ginger beer is not the same thing as ginger ale. Ginger beer generally has a stronger ginger flavor, which is part of what makes a Mule work.
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If your idea of a good drink involves coconut and pineapple, a Piña Colada is probably a much easier choice than a whisky-based cocktail.
The classic drink combines rum with pineapple juice, coconut cream and ice. The pineapple gives it acidity and sweetness, while the coconut makes the drink creamy and rich. The rum is still present, but it is surrounded by much stronger flavors.
This is also one of those drinks where texture makes a difference. A frozen Piña Colada feels more like a dessert-style drink than a conventional spirit-forward cocktail.
It can also be quite easy to drink quickly because the alcohol is not particularly obvious, so don't assume that tasting sweet means the drink is weak.
There is a reason this cocktail has remained a familiar name on bar menus for years. It is fruity, sweet and much less spirit-forward than something like a Negroni.
Recipes vary, but the familiar version uses vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice. The fruit juices do most of the talking, while the peach schnapps adds another layer of sweetness and fruitiness.
If you don't like the taste of alcohol, this is the kind of cocktail that will probably feel more approachable than something where the base spirit is deliberately kept front and center.
It is also worth mentioning that cocktails like this can vary wildly from bar to bar. One place might make it quite tart and fruit-heavy, while another might make it noticeably sweeter.
The Cosmopolitan is another good option if you like citrus and cranberry.
Vodka forms the base, but cranberry juice, lime juice and orange liqueur give the drink a much stronger flavor profile. The result is tart, citrusy and slightly sweet, rather than tasting mainly of vodka.
It is usually served in a chilled Martini-style glass, which makes it look like a serious cocktail, but the flavor itself is much more approachable for someone who doesn't want to taste a lot of straight spirit.
The lime is especially important because acidity can stop a sweet cocktail from becoming syrupy.
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If you don't like strong spirits, an Aperol Spritz is worth considering because it is a relatively low-alcohol cocktail compared with drinks built around a full measure of a high-proof spirit.
The classic structure uses sparkling wine, Aperol and soda water. Aperol brings orange and herbal flavours along with its characteristic bitterness, while the sparkling wine and soda keep the drink light.
It is not a sweet fruit punch. There is a noticeable bitter edge, so if you dislike bitterness as well as alcohol, this might not be your first choice. But if the main problem is that burning spirit taste, a Spritz can be much easier going.
The Negroni Sbagliato is another option in the same general direction. It replaces the gin in a classic Negroni with sparkling wine, making a lighter, spritzier version of the drink.
A Strawberry Daiquiri is another cocktail that works well for people who prefer fruit-forward drinks.
The basic Daiquiri is rum, lime juice and sugar, but the strawberry version adds strawberries to the mix. That changes the drink quite a bit, giving it a fruity sweetness and a stronger fresh-fruit character.
The important thing is balance. A good Daiquiri shouldn't taste like strawberry syrup mixed with rum. Fresh strawberries, lime and a sensible amount of sugar should keep it bright rather than overly sweet.
If you are ordering one at a bar, a frozen version will generally feel softer and more dessert-like, while a shaken version can taste fresher and more citrusy.
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I think the biggest mistake people make when they don't like the taste of alcohol is assuming they just don't like cocktails. There is a huge difference between a spirit-forward drink and a cocktail where the spirit is working in the background.
Personally, I would start with something citrusy or fruity rather than jumping straight into a Martini, Old Fashioned or Negroni. A Mojito, Moscow Mule or Piña Colada gives you more flavors to work with, and you can slowly figure out what you actually enjoy.
What if you really hate the taste of alcohol? This is where it is worth being honest with the bartender. You can simply say, “I don't really like the taste of alcohol. Can you make me something fruity and not too spirit-forward?”
That's actually useful information, a bartender can then steer you towards something that suits you rather than handing you a random cocktail from the menu.
