I know, I know, but it's not a perfect world

In a perfect world I could go to a lunch meeting about a job prospect without having to worry about sticking to my guns and eating and drinking healthy.   I have to meet a couple of good ol' boys for lunch and I need to impress them so I can get my foot in the door.  I've downloaded the restaurant's nutritional guide and that's all good and fine.  There are a few dishes there that aren't too bad and it wouldn't look like I'm trying to make a statement about nutrition or anything.  My problem is the drinks.  I know these boys will want to knock back a few, and in this perfect world I could abstain without them caring.  But, not being in a perfect world, I was wondering if anyone could suggest any bar drinks that aren't too nasty for you, and are still a little "maculine".  I know it's a dumb question, but bear with me please.

Is going to the bar to get your own drinks an option?

I do not drink at bars or resturants, at home Yes, but not out.

My trick is to order tonic water and lime in a highball glass.  It fools everyone, but I have to make sure to order my own drinks.  Otherwise people like to make sure you are getting alcohol.

I don't know what you might consider "masculine" besides staying away from fruity drinks (which are way high in calories anyway.)

How about just a vodka and tonic? Or, rather than have "a few" highballs at 4 oz each, why don't you just order a light beer (12 oz) that you can "nurse" for a bit longer?  Maybe a Michelob Ultra?  That way you're "joining in" and not snubbing them, but you could probably keep it to one, especially if the drinks don't come until after the meal.

 

I think I would go for a simple beer.  How about coors light?  No one ever gets the full flavor of Coors so it wouldn't seem strange to get the light.  It would be about 100 calories a beer.

Another thought, if you like a red eye (tomato juice and beer) why not get that?  The tomato juice is significantly lower in calories per oz than the beer and it would make the beer last longer.  It is also a great lunch time drink in my opinion.

Thanks for your help everyone.  Hopefully when all the baby boomers have retired, I won't have to worry about these old boys clubs anymore.  :)

No offense to boomers of course.   Love you guys.

If anyone raises and eyebrow that you order something that seems slightly diet-ish you can always make a crack that you are trying to stay healthy for the ladies.  Old men seem to love that sort of thing.

I agree with spoiled_candy.  That is exactly what my husband does.  He will have an actual rum and coke, then go back for another but tells the bartender just to fill the glass w/soda.  He's been doing that for years.  That is, if you have that option to go to the bar yourself.

Excellent... Then when I get the job I can celebrate with some real drinking.  Muhahahaha!!!  No, actually I'll try and take it a little easy... Thanks again for the tips.

How about Bacardi and diet? 

If your bar has it, order and gin and ginger. If they have diet ginger-ale, even better! This is one of my husbands fav drinks, and its not all girly looking.

Are all the liquors pretty much the same?  I heard the clear ones have marginally less calories than the darker ones. 

Yeah I know, now I'm just nit-picking.  Just curious if anyone knows while we're on the subject though.

yea i'd say something and tonic... gin and tonic, vodka and tonic....

or a light beer. 

and you could always switch off. for every drink get a soda/water.  you'll still be drinking, just at a slower rate.

Easy.... You tell them you're on a course of antibiotics and that your doctor has forbidden you to drink alcohol.   Whereas they may laugh heartily and try to persuade you out of it if you say you're not drinking for sensible reasons like health or weight, most people won't suggest you disobey your doctor.

Good luck!

can't you use the excuse that you've got to drive afterwards, or have another meeting to go to that a couple of hours away...? if not then vodka has the lowest alcohol contact. mix it with a diet coke and you should be good!

gin and tonic is more macho than vodka and tonic, IMHO. It's definitely a drink one associates with "old boys". A G&T will set you back about 100 calories (for the shot of gin... tonic is 0-cal). If you can stand the taste, of course. Alternate with water if you must.

Original Post by trustwomen:

gin and tonic is more macho than vodka and tonic, IMHO.

ha ha, that may be true.  but gin is gross, it tastes like a pine tree ... oh yeah ... because it is MADE from a pine tree!! (well, actually juniper berries, but close enough)

I like the suggestion about the antibiotics.  That's brilliant!

Much to do about nothing.

It's 2008 order what you want, not what the not so good ole boy network expects, I think they call it being your own man.

If you have a couple, own it. Blaming others is ****.

Word of caution...tonic is not 0 calories.  Diet tonic is though, but its been pretty rare in my experience that i find a bar that has diet tonic.  Worth asking though.

It went well.  Had 2 Bacardi and Diet Cokes and a Coors Light.  So I guess I only downed about 250 cals tops.  Actually we all had a round of Coors Lights to start so I was worrying about nothing I guess.  Thanks for the help everyone.  Cheers.

 

I would go with vodka soda water w/ lime there's too many cals in tonic...