Today: Feb 10, 2025

Booze 101: The Guidelines of Drinking

SIMONE VIRZICopy Editor

About a week ago I came up with the best idea ever: Margarita Mondays. After all, Mondays are a complete drag, and margaritas make everything better. I personally can’t think of a better way to start off the week. Although some people aren’t the biggest drinkers, many people are, especially in college. Haven’t you heard it’s not called alcoholism until after college? As much fun as drinking is, there are a few things people should know before cracking the bottle open.

Shots vs. Mixed Drinks

I’m a fan of both shots and mixed drinks. However, if you’re going out at a bar or club, it’s often ultimately cheaper to stick to mixed drinks. Why? One shot can cost at least $4 (I’ve paid $8 for a shot of Patron, but it’s worth it) while a mixed drink can cost around $8 and includes the equivalent of multiple shots. If you are going to do shots, keep in mind you may want to have a chaser around just in case you need it. Soda or fruit juices are common chasers—you want something to override the shot.

The biggest difference between the two is that a mixed drink isn’t as strong; shots are a more immediate shock to the body. Taking multiple shots to pregame is an easy way to get in the going-out spirit, and it never hurts to lighten up. Besides, it’s cheaper to buy a bottle of vodka than buy several drinks when you’re out. Bars and clubs alike overcharge. Over winter break I went to a club in New York City, and they were charging $16 for cranberry vodka; that’s a lot of money for one drink!

Food and Booze

Beer and wings; margaritas and quesadillas—these are just a couple of examples of food and booze that go oh-so-well together. However, there are also some combinations that just don’t seem to mix. Scotch and nachos anyone? Didn’t think so. Then again, I’m not sure what college kids drink Scotch. Anyway, my point is not everything goes well together.

I couldn’t talk about food and alcohol without mentioning there are alcohols that taste like food. For instance, vodka seems to be made with every fruit flavor possible from coconut to passion fruit. There’s also whipped cream vodka. Mixing it with Sprite or an orange soda is never a bad idea. However, I recently read more adventurous forms of vodka have been created—bacon, salmon, bison, and bubble gum. I personally don’t eat seafood to begin with, and the thought of a drink tasting like fish is just, well fishy. I know most people like bacon and these people are trying to get creative, but I personally consider these ideas more stupid than creative. But to each his own, right?

Shake, Shake, Shake: Don’t Mix it Up

A few months ago, I celebrated my 21st birthday with a Long Island iced tea, a shot of Patron, and multiple Stoli Salads. When I told my mom, she was less than thrilled. “How many times do I have to tell you not to mix? You don’t listen to me!” I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Then I went to New York over winter break to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Long story short, after wine, a raspberry lemonade vodka drink, a drink with Bacardi rums, several cranberry vodkas and champagne, I realized what my mom was talking about. Surprisingly, I did not get sick the next morning, but the cab ride that day was one of the worst experiences of my life with all the slamming on breaks and constant jerking. It’s not a bad thing to drink, but I definitely do not recommend mixing to the extent that I did—I was hungover for a good portion of the day.

Drunken Decisions

I’m sure most people have started off a story with, “Last night, I was so drunk.” Then you go into details about something stupid you said or did, whether it consisted of flashing someone, giving an unattractive person your real number, or telling the bartender you aren’t a stripper as you’re paying for a drink with singles. Hey, it happens to the best (and worst) of us.

There are also drunken texts and phone calls I have to mention. For some reason, when you’re drunk it becomes impossible to lie and the next morning you realize you sent texts to people saying things you should not of said. For instance, saying “I love him—” twice. Luckily I did not send the text to the male I was referencing, but I did tell one of my friends I loved someone (I don’t believe I actually do love him). If I had sent it to him, it’s needless to say I would have regretted it the next morning.a

One of the funny things about alcohol is it tends to alter your sense of reality. You may think someone is far more attractive than they actually are and may make out or hook up with this person (note: this would not have happened if you were sober). The next morning your throbbing head is trying to remember what and why you ever would have done what you did. Blame it on the a-a-a-alcohol. Realistically, we’re all bound to regret something at some point in our lives, but we should realize alcohol should be used with caution, as it can be dangerous. It’s like playing with fire, but instead of burning yourself, you’re screwing yourself.

8 Comments

  1. This article literally makes our school look like it’s a community for dirty water trash people.

  2. Margarita Mondays? What an original concept! I’ve never ever seen that before! Nope, you definitely just invented a new thing. Good to see our nations colleges are still pumping out bright youngsters like you with fantastic new ideas.

  3. This is the worst piece of journalism I have ever read. I remember the first time I got drunk, I didn’t write a whole article about it. About that cab ride who was jerking who sounds like a good time. Juggalo family for life

  4. This is a disgusting excuse for journalism and I am ashamed SCSU would publish it (let alone one of our students write it.) There is no factual information, no sexual assault information (” may make out or hook up with this person (note: this would not have happened if you were sober). The next morning your throbbing head is trying to remember what and why you ever would have done what you did. Blame it on the a-a-a-alcohol.”) and no merit in anything said in the entire piece. This article makes SCSU look disgusting and everything but the educational facility we are supposed to be. This article is shameful, and I am ashamed to even be associated with it’s writer and publisher. TAKE THIS DOWN.

  5. Just when you think journalistic credibility is lost only with the mainstream media… How this got past the editor is beyond me.

  6. Will SCSU let me write an article on our annual expenditures on bouncy houses, big name rap artists, and cook outs outside of the dining hall? I think that the rest of the world needs an explanation why we as southern students are leaving college dumber than when we entered…

  7. what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent opinion were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone at SCSU is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul

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