Beverages / Drinks
Beverages are very important words to know in English if you’re feeling thirsty (want something to drink).
In English beverages are also called “drinks.” The word drink is slightly less formal than beverages.
The word drink is often used to describe an alcoholic beverage.
- A gin and tonic is a nice drink to have on a hot day.
- Would you like to go out for drinks this evening?
In addition to their basic function of satisfying thirst, drinks play important roles in human culture. Common types of drinks include plain drinking water, milk, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and soft drinks. In addition, alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer and liquor, have been part of human culture for more than 8,000 years.
Drinks are liquids and this makes them uncountable nouns.
With uncountable nouns you cannot count the amount of the liquid—unless you put it in a container such as a bottle, can, glass, etc.
This is the reason we ask for “some” / “any” + beverage name.
- I’d like some water please.
- Do you have any diet Coke?
- I’m sorry but we don’t have any alcoholic beverages here.
- Do you want some orange juice or apple juice?
If you say I would like “a water'” it will be understood that you want a container filled with water (e.g., a glass or bottle).
Vocabulary
alcoholic drinks / beverages
Drinks that contain alcohol such as wine, beer, whisky, cognac, vodka, gin, tequila, etc.
non-alcoholic drinks / beverages
This category of drinks does not have alcohol. Examples include soft drinks, juices and herbal teas.
soft drink
a nonalcoholic drink
decaffeinated drinks / beverages
These drinks have the caffeine (or most of it) removed from the beverage. These are mostly coffees and teas. We often call them “decaf” rather than saying decaffeinated (e.g., decaf coffee, decaf espresso).
caffeine-free drinks / beverages
These drinks do not have caffeine (they never had caffeine in them). This includes drinks like juices, milk, water, certain soft drinks, lemonade, herbal teas (infusions), etc.
hot beverages / cold beverages
Beverages can be consumed hot or cold so sometimes we also need to be specific about whether we want a hot beverage or a cold one (e.g., hot tea, iced tea).
fizzy drinks
Drinks that have bubbles or are carbonated.
smoothie
a thick, cold beverage made from pureed raw fruit, and sometimes vegetables, typically using a blender. Smoothies are often blended with other ingredients such as water, crushed ice, fruit juice, sugar, syrup, dairy products (milk, yoghurt). A smoothie containing dairy products is similar to a milkshake, though the latter typically contains less fruit and often contains ice cream or frozen yoghurt.
ale
a type of beer brewed using a warm fermentation method, resulting in a sweet fruity taste.
cider
a drink made from fruit juice, most often from apples. In Europe and Oceania it is analcoholic drink that is made from apple juice, through a process called fermentation. In the United States and parts of Cananda, cider containing alcohol is called hard cider or alcoholic cider, while cider or apple cider means less-sweet, usually unfiltered, apple juice. In the United States and Canada people drink a special kind of cider around Halloween and Thanksgiving. This cider is usually unfiltered, rather thick, and it is often heated and spiced with cinnamon before drinking it. This is different from the cider in Europe, which usually is not heated.
punch
the term punch refers to a wide assortment of drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, generally containing fruit or fruit juice. The drink was introduced from India to the United Kingdom in the early seventeenth century, and from there its use spread to other countries. Punch is typically served at parties in large, wide bowls, known as punch bowls.
mulled wine (German gluhwein)
a beverage usually made with red wine along with various muling spices and sometimes raisins. It is served hot or warm and is alcoholic, although there are non-alcoholic versions of mulled wine. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.
In bottles / In cans / On tap
If you drink beer, it is commonly served in cans, in bottles or from the tap (a faucet-like nozzle attached to a keg of beer).
- Do you want bottled beer or something on tap?
- What kinds of beer do you have on tap?
- I’d like six cans of diet coke please.
- We sell wine in bottles or mini-cans.
How to order drinks
Asking for drinks (sample phrases):
- Could I have something to drink?
- Do you have any alcoholic beverages?
- I would like to have a glass of orange juice please.
- What kind of soft drinks do you have?
- Do you have any beer on tap?
- Do you have any specialty cocktails?
- May I have a decaf coffee please?
Offering drinks / Taking drink orders (sample phrases):
- Would you like something to drink?
- Can I offer you a drink?
- What would you like to drink?
- What kind of beer would you like?
- Would you like red or white wine?
- Would you like ice in your drink?
- Would you like a hot tea or an iced tea?
What are your favorite drinks?
Do you drink alcoholic drinks?
What drinks are customary in your country?
What do you drink in the summer? In the winter?
What do you drink at breakfast?
you are very good blogger, thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you for leaving your comment. Pleased to know that you found my post useful.
Warm regards,
Irina Bekreniova
Really this is very nice article thanks for share..
encompass a wide array of liquid refreshments that quench our thirst and tickle our taste buds. From the simplicity of water to the complexity of cocktails, beverages hold cultural significance and offer endless possibilities for enjoyment. Cheers to the world of flavors that beverages bring into our lives!Thanks for sharing your blog