What’s your favourite drink? Whatever it is, I bet there is a good reason you enjoy it. There are many drinks out there. Some of these are classy and upscale; others not quite! Your drink of choice says a lot about you. Whether this is gin, vodka, or your favourite bottle of red wine, settle for one that you like. Perhaps your favourite is among these classy, upscale drinks; if it’s not, well, add it to the list.
Below are fourteen of the many classy, upscale drinks that you will find in fine dining establishments and sophisticated restaurants. Most are a combination of flavourings, spices, and your favourite choice of alcohol. Wines are another matter altogether and are ideal for almost any occasion. Depending on your taste and preference, there is a classy drink out there for you.
Here are fourteen upscale drinks to order at fine dining restaurants:
1. Martini Drinks
A martini is one of the best upscale drinks, especially when you want to impress. An American invention, the martini was popularized by James Bond. You can drink it as it is without shaking or stirring it. Whether you order the dirty martini or any way you like it, this is one of the most upscale drinks.
2. Old Fashioned Drinks
The Old Fashioned cocktail can be traced to the 1800s. It is brewed using whiskey, a sugar lump, ice cube, water, bitters and garnished with either maraschino cherries or a lemon-peel. It is a perfect drink for whiskey lovers.
3. Moscow Mule Drinks
This is a trendy, classy light drink. It comes in lime juice, ginger beer, and vodka variations. It is usually garnished with a slice of mint and lime. Besides, the classic copper mug in which it is served can make quite the statement.
4. Dark & Stormy Drinks
These upscale drinks feature a blend of rum and the Moscow Mule. Besides the cool name that makes you sound mysterious, dark & stormy is a typical drink in most upscale outlets.
5. Bellini Drinks
A fruity drink, Bellini dates back to the mid-1900s Venice at Harry’s Bar. This popular Italian drink features Prosecco, a sparkling Italian wine, and peach purée. If you can visit Harry’s Bar, you might want to order the famous Bellini from the experts. It also makes a great gift and is available in most liquor and grocery stores.
6. Gin and Tonic Drinks
This is perhaps one of the simplest yet classy drinks. You are likely to find it in liquor and grocery stores. All you need to whip out a glass of gin and tonic is ice, tonic water, gin, and lime for garnishing. This popular drink makes you come off as a dependable, laid back person.
7. Sidecar Drinks
These upscale drinks are rumoured to have originated from Paris. It is a blend of lemon juice, orange liqueur and Cognac. With just a little punch to it, the sidecar is a mild, sweet drink that makes for a great cocktail, especially if you are starting on darker alcohol.
8. Vieux Carré Drinks
These upscale drinks come from New Orleans. It inherited its name from the city’s French Quarter. Although it has a great flavour, making it is quite the task. Its ingredients include sweet vermouth, Cognac, ice, whiskey, bitters, Bénédictine liqueur, and either cherry or a lemon twit for garnish. Ordering this drink is quite a challenge, and explaining to a bartender how to make it could be a test of your sense of taste, knowledge, and sophistication.
9. Wine Drinks
You cannot go wrong with a glass of wine. Besides, there are several varieties of wine to choose from. It helps if you are a wine connoisseur who understands the difference between the various types of wine.
These upscale drinks go down better when paired with appropriate food choices. While the many varieties of wine could leave you spoilt for choice, don’t be afraid to ask a wine connoisseur for recommendations.
10. White Russian Drinks
The White Russian is a modestly strong drink that goes down well after a hearty meal. This after-dinner cocktail is concocted using vodka and cream, and the coffee flavour liquor Kahlua. Although it is relatively strong, it is also sweet.
11. Sazerac Drinks
Another drink from New Orleans, Sazerac is a blend of rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters and Cognac. Herbsaint and bourbon whiskey are occasionally substituted.
While there are claims to the effect that it is America’s oldest cocktail dating back to pre-Civil War New Orleans, some scholars such as David Wondrich, a historian, have disputed this assertion. But that’s beside the point; it’s one of the most upscale drinks.
12. Manhattan Drinks
This is a cocktail drink that combines sweet vermouth, rye whiskey, and bitters. Although rye is the original whiskey choice, others that are equally good include Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, Canadian whiskey, and blended whiskey.
13. Bloody Mary Drinks
This strangely-named drink is a cocktail of tomato juice, vodka, and combination flavourings and spices that include garlic, hot sauces, lemon juice and celery salt, black pepper, olives, Worcestershire sauce, celery, horseradish, lime juice, salt, and herbs.
14. Margarita Drinks
These upscale drinks have a combination of orange liqueur, lime juice, and tequila. Margarita can be served blended with or without ice. You might also want to shake it before serving.
