What aperatif?

[Tyre Smoke]

I'm not a 'short' drinker as a rule, but have been known to quaff the odd vodka and mixer. I also like a brandy or sambuca at the other end of the dining experience.

My question is this, when you arrive at a slightly more upmarket eatery than McD's and you are passed the menus, what drink should I ask for when they ask? I wouldn't want a glass of wine because I would want to choose that for the meal, nothing too long that I have to gulp or carry to the table (don't ask me why, but I hate doing that). Vodka and tonic is all I can think of, but it doesn't always appeal.
Any suggestions?

[Shaw Tarse]

G&T
Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred!

[Bullett]

GnT
Champagne
Sherry

[sherman]

St Clements
Fresh orange and Bitter Lemon in equal quantities with ice

A light lowland whisky maybe something like Glenkinchie

A midouri and lemonade, tastes of melon and surprisingly refreshing

[uncinqsix]

Martini Rosso is good.

[escargot]

A glass of Champagne.

[Tyre Smoke]

Thanks for that. G&T was the obvious choice but due to an unfortunate experience at 14 I can't stand even the smell of it now. Midori is a bit ghey, no?

[mrsshpub]

White port.

[plasticpig]

Pernod with water & ice

[Hawmaws]

Americano.

As drunk by James Bond. Ingredients sound a bit ghey, but it's really good if done properly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americano_(cocktail)

[Mobile Chicane]

Bloody Mary

[Plotloss]

Kir Royale

[jimothy]

Personally I'm a fan of a vodka martini. Stirred please, lets do it right.
My martini of choice is a bone dry gibson (thats the one with a pickled onion in), made with belvedere or snow queen.

[Mobile Chicane]

That's done it. I feel a cocktail evening coming on...

[pacman1]

Mobile Chicane said:

That's done it. I feel a cocktail evening coming on...

All 'round yours then!

[Shaw Tarse]

plasticpig said:

Pernod with water & ice

that's one drink I can't stand.

[Shaw Tarse]

Mobile Chicane said:

Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary and the tomato juice counts as one of the five a day fruit & veg, which makes it healthy

[Tyre Smoke]

Mmmmm! Bloody Mary. Good call.

Pernod and black?

[Shaw Tarse]

Tyre Smoke said:

Mmmmm! Bloody Mary. Good call.

Pernod and black?

NOTHING with Pernod, Ricard, etc, all varieties are

[Mobile Chicane]

I find a BM is excellent for waking up the appetite.

Maybe that's because I'm old enough to remember when a glass of tomato juice served on a doily was considered a 'posh' starter.