What Drink Should I Try First?
If you’re brand new to drinks, start where the flavors are forgiving and the experience is genuinely enjoyable. The first sip shouldn’t feel like medicine — it should feel like a small invitation.
5 min read
Start with what you already eat
Your existing food preferences are the best predictor of what drinks you’ll love. If you love spicy food, try off-dry Riesling — its fruitiness tames heat beautifully. If you love grilled meat and BBQ, try a smooth Bourbon. If you love seafood, sushi or light salads, try Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp Pilsner. Pair your first taste experiments with food you already enjoy, and the drink has a fair chance to shine.
Don’t start strong
A common beginner mistake is starting with the most intense option in each category — a heavily hopped IPA, a tannic Cabernet, or peated Scotch. These styles are wonderful but require some palate development. Begin with the softer end of each: wheat beer or lager, Pinot Noir or Riesling, Irish whiskey or Japanese-style whisky.
Temperature matters
A warm beer tastes different from a cold one. A red wine served too warm tastes flabby; chilled slightly, it sings. Whiskey opens up dramatically with a few drops of water. Don’t judge a style by one badly-served example — try it the way it’s meant to be served.
Take the quiz
Our short quiz returns three personalised starting points across beer, wine and whiskey in under a minute. It accounts for what you like, what you dislike, what you’ll be eating, and how adventurous you’re feeling. Treat its picks as friendly suggestions, not commandments.
Want a personal answer?
Take our 60-second quiz and get matches across beer, wine and whiskey.
Find my drinkFrequently asked questions
Is whiskey too strong to start with?
Try Irish whiskey or a Japanese highball (whisky, soda, ice, lemon) — they’re gentle, low-strength introductions.
Should I start with sweet or dry?
Beginners almost always enjoy slightly sweet styles more at first. Sweetness softens harsh notes and provides familiar comfort.
How much should I try in one sitting?
Two or three small tastes is plenty. Palates fatigue quickly and you’ll discover more by spreading exploration over multiple evenings.