The myth of the best mixed drink

According to a CU Independent reader survey, 42 percent of students prefer a cocktail that includes whiskey. In comparison, vodka and rum drinks only accounted for under 20 percent. (photo courtesy Jesus Leon, Flickr Creative Commons)

As sure as there is a frozen dead guy somewhere in the hills of Nederland, college students enjoy a good mixed drink. And just like that frozen dead guy, most of these drinks are on ice.

But what drinks captivate the student body?

The most popular drinks include whiskey. A brief CU Independent survey showed that 42 percent of students at CU prefer drinks that involve whiskey in some form or another; whether it is whiskey and Coke, whiskey sour, or whiskey as an ingredient in the concoction known as the Irish car bomb (½ shot whiskey, ½ Irish cream and a glass of stout beer).

Dustin Niehoff, a 29-year-old senior physics major, said he has been fond of whiskey for some time.

“I’ve liked whiskey since the navy,” Niehoff said. “And whiskey sours are a good way to cut it with something sweet.”

Anthony Del Bianco, a 24-year-old senior integrative physiology major, said he also likes whiskey, but prefers it to be served in a manner that is not as sweet.

“I like whiskey a lot and I don’t like sweet drinks,” Del Bianco said referring to whiskey and Coke. “So it is the best drink for me.”

Not many drinks have had as much of an impact on the United States as whiskey. During George Washington’s presidency, a group of rebels protested the taxing of whiskey, bringing issues to light concerning how congressional laws would be enforced nationally, in what is now known as the Whiskey Rebellion.

Whiskey was brought to the U.S. by British and Irish settlers coming to the New World. It soon took over dark rum as the North American spirit of choice. According to the survey, only about eight percent of students prefer mixed drinks that incorporate rum.

This is odd when considering the words of Larry Gray of Bottles Liquor Store on Arapahoe, who said vodka and rum are the most popular choices among students.

“Lots of spiced rum, lots and lots of McCormick’s vodka,” Gray said. “Low end vodka: McCormick’s, Burnett’s and Skoal.”

When asked about whiskey, Gray said he does not think it’s as popular among students.

“They buy Jim Beam and Jack Daniels,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s as big an item as those other two categories.”

The survey said vodka and rum combined account for just under 20 percent of the most popular drinks. There are several possible reasons for this discrepancy.

First of all, the survey might not be big enough. Drink preferences are as subjective as things get and, without interviewing the entire student population, it would be hard to know with absolute certainty what students really like to drink.

Another possibility involves preferences versus reality. Even though some student may prefer gin and whiskey drinks, they might not buy bottles of gin and whiskey at the store because of price and other factors.

Gin accounted for 25 percent of the most preferred drinks among students, and nearly all of these were gin and tonics.

“Gin and tonics are refreshing and clean,” Niehoff said.

Tonic water back in the day contained quinine which was helpful in preventing malaria. Due to the large amount of quinine in the tonic water back then, it was hard to drink due to its bitter taste. As odd as it might sound to the reluctant gin drinker, gin was added in order to make the tonic water easier to stomach. Now things seem to have flipped, and people add tonic water to make the gin easier to drink.

Rachael Fishering, a 22-year-old senior economics major, said she likes whiskey and Coke, but added that this was because of the weather.

“I think it is because it’s winter,” Fishering said. “In the summer it’s vodka Redbull, or vodka (mixed with) something.”

Oliver Di Livio, a 22-year-old senior MCD biology major, also said he enjoys vodka Redbull, but chooses whiskey and Coke instead because of financial concerns.

“Whiskey is my favorite drink,” Di Livio said. “Coke gives you an energy boost and it is less expensive than a vodka Redbull.”

When it comes down to it, Rachel Henderer, a 21-year-old senior integrative physiology major who said she likes to drink vodka tonics, speaks for many students with her explanation as to why she likes her favorite drink.

“(Because) it works,” Henderer said.

Since most of the students who participated in the survey chose whiskey as their drink of choice, a quote from Hunter S. Thompson may be fitting for the whiskey drinkers of CU to take to heart: “Beer on whiskey, mighty risky – Whiskey on beer, never fear.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Seth Gitner at Seth.gitner@colorado.edu.

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