By: Casey Tibut

Humans are complex beings. We’ve built skyscrapers, invented Wi-Fi, and found ways to deliver tacos at 2 a.m. But when it comes down to it, the thing that still gets people out of their homes is often the same as it has been: “Want to grab a drink?”

Drinks are the glue that helps bind social interaction. First dates, last dates, job offers, breakups, celebrations, commiserations… name a situation, and chances are someone, somewhere, is pouring something amber into a glass while pretending they’re not checking their phone under the table.

Drinks Have Always Served as Humanity’s Favorite Icebreaker

Let’s face it: history could be seen as one long tab at the bar. The Greeks hosted symposiums where “philosophy” was just an excuse to get tipsy and argue about metaphors. Medieval monks brewed beer because water was unreliable, and sobriety was considered overrated. The Irish turned the pub into a hub for gossip, music, and therapy.

The point? Drinks were never about just the liquid. They were about offering people a reason to pause and engage in conversation, even when it got a little awkward. Without them, many of us might still be awkwardly staring at the floor during small talk.

Dinner Is Great, But Drinks Can Be More Flexible

Don’t get me wrong, food is fantastic. But dinner? That’s a commitment. Starters, mains, and the obligatory “should we split dessert” debate. Drinks, on the other hand, are often more flexible.

Grab a drink, and you can leave in 45 minutes if your companion turns out to be a walking LinkedIn post. Or you might end up staying for three hours if the conversation flows. Try doing that in the middle of a main course without feeling like you’re rushing through a meal.

The Rise of “Better” Booze (Because Cheap Shots Don’t Always Age Well)

Remember forcing yourself to down plastic-bottle vodka in college and convincing yourself it “wasn’t so bad”? Your liver probably recalls those days more clearly. These days, people often gravitate toward quality. Craft beer is common, natural wine makes you wonder if you accidentally bought vinegar, and whiskey has evolved into something more nuanced.

That shift isn’t about snobbery, it’s about self-preservation. If you’re spending time with friends, you may as well enjoy a drink that doesn’t leave you regretting your choices at 2 a.m. And that’s why categories like blended bourbon have become more appreciated by bartenders and enthusiasts alike.

Whiskey Has Evolved

Whiskey used to come with a specific image: tweed jackets, cigars, and unsolicited advice about “the markets.” Fortunately, that image has evolved. Now, you’ll find bourbon and rye in neon-lit cocktail bars, on backyard patios, and, yes, still by the occasional fireplace (because let’s face it, fireplaces do have a way of making everything feel cooler).

Whiskey’s new role? It’s more versatile. It’s neat, it’s in an Old Fashioned, and it’s sometimes mixed with ginger ale when someone’s looking to keep it light but still enjoy a classic. And it’s no longer reserved for a specific group. Even blends, once considered “training wheels” in the whiskey world, are now being appreciated for their quality.

Drinks as Memory Keepers

The real charm of drinks? They tend to stick with you in memory.

A whiskey sour that turned out to be more enjoyable than the date itself.

A pint of Guinness shared on the night you and a friend joked about moving abroad (even though you didn’t).

Champagne in an Uber because the promotional email couldn’t wait until you got home.

Drinks are like personal time machines. One sip, and suddenly you’re right back in that moment, laughing about why you ever thought ordering absinthe was a good idea.

The Home Bar Revolution

With bars closed for a while, everyone suddenly became a self-proclaimed expert in mixing drinks. Home bars exploded. People bought shakers, jiggers, those weird spherical ice molds no one really needs, and enough bitters to make a pharmacist do a double take.

Even now, the trend hasn’t died down. Friends gather around kitchen counters, pretending to “measure” pours while one person Googles “how to make a Paloma” for the 50th time. The best part? It’s never perfect. Someone always overdoes the lime, someone else invents a strange concoction with pickle juice, and everyone ends up applauding anyway.

Why Drinks Are Like Time Travel (Without the DeLorean)

Here’s the thing: drinks aren’t really about the alcohol itself. They’re about slowing down and being present. They act as socially accepted pause buttons in a world where checking email every few minutes has become the norm.

One drink can turn into two. A brief catch-up can turn into a heartfelt conversation. Before you know it, hours have passed, and you’re trying to figure out why you kept your Uber driver waiting.

Drinks encourage us to be in the moment. And that might be the underrated benefit of all.

Some Drinks That Might Be Worth Trying

If you’re going to enjoy a drink, you might as well make it count. Here are a few options that are hard to go wrong with:

• Old Fashioned: Bourbon, bitters, sugar, orange peel. A classic that’s never out of place.
• Paloma: Tequila, grapefruit soda. It’s like sunshine in a glass.
• Paper Plane: Bourbon, Aperol, amaro, lemon. It’s as if confidence was captured in liquid form.
• Neat pour: If you want to appear knowledgeable, order whiskey neat. Bonus points for not making a face when drinking it.

Drinks as the Social Cheat Code

Strip everything else away, and drinks remain the social cheat code. They buy us time, ease the tension, and transform simple conversations like “How’s work?” into stories of the time you almost got kicked out of karaoke.

You might forget the garnish in your drink, but you won’t forget who was sitting across the table from you. And that’s the beauty of it.

So yes, go ahead and order that cocktail. Say yes to that nightcap. Pour the whiskey at home and let the conversation flow. In the end, no one looks back fondly on the nights they went straight home to answer emails.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not endorse excessive drinking or the consumption of alcohol in any form. Always drink responsibly and be aware of your limits. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or entity mentioned.