What DO you drink...?!

Okay. In my last post I mentioned that I'm not a drinker, and I listed several very common drinks that I just happen NOT to drink. Today I thought I'd make a list of what I DO drink, in response to some shocked questions by readers (you know who you are...! And thanks for asking!)

1. Water: We have really good, cold water here in Nebraska, and ours comes directly from our well.

2. Tea (version #1): Sometimes called "iced tea," except we don't put ice in it, because we're too lazy to make ice cubes in our ancient refrigerator. A friend of ours insists we should bottle and sell our "Huebert Tea," even though we don't think it's particularly special. (wait a minute- yes we do. We think we have the best tea around!) Here's how we make it: Put some water in a small saucepan. When it comes to a boil, put a regular tea bag in it, cover, and let steep for a couple of hours or so. Pour it in a gallon of very cold water with a shy half cup of sugar and stir well. This is our "staple" drink for every meal.

These two comprise most of my drinking. But I also resort to the following on occasion:

3. Milk: The in-laws raise milk goats, so we use goat milk.

4. Juice: Cranberry, apple, orange, lemonade; as long as it's real juice and not artificial.

5. Tea (version #2): Also known as "hot tea." Sometimes black tea, sometimes chamomile tea.

6. Chocolate Milk/Hot Chocolate: Made with homemade chocolate syrup. Mmmmm!

7. Water with Lemon: This is what I usually order when I'm eating out. (The lemon makes the chlorinated city water more palatable.)

8. Lime Fizzler: Ginger Ale with fresh lime squeezed in it.

9. Gatorade: Usually in summer when we're working. My favorite flavor is "Riptide Rush."

10. And-- once in a while, a little bit of Coke or Pepsi, especially if I've made pizza for the meal. For some reason, Pepsi goes really well with pizza.

Why don't I drink coffee? Well, it's not for lack of trying. Coffee is the American "grown-up" drink (aside from beer). Everywhere you go that adults are gathered, coffee is being served, so I have tried to join the ranks, but I just can't get it down. Hubby will sometimes drink a small cup, and I will drink a couple of sips of it, but it's just too bitter for me.

Why don't I drink more pop/soda/carbonated beverages? They're just too sweet and syrupy, at least for my taste. Although, as I said, sometimes I do like to have some. And I don't drink diet kinds because artificial sweetener tastes bad and makes me ill. (Boy, I'm picky, aren't I?)

And why don't I drink alcoholic beverages? Umm, I think I'm afraid.... Besides, it smells terrible.

Sometimes I wish I could just be "grown up" and swig coffee and wine with the best of them. How do YOU manage to drink coffee? Do you have a favorite that is really good, that maybe I could try?