The Mid Life Dating Files 2025

What is your favorite drink?

I Don’t Have a Favorite Drink… I Have a Beverage Wardrobe 🍷🍹🥂

If there were a national holiday for “Favorite Drinks,” I would absolutely host it. It would involve a brunch table, a Friday night patio, possibly a cruise ship floating somewhere in the Caribbean Sea, and definitely a dramatic appearance by my alter ego.

Because here’s the truth…

I do not have one favorite drink.

That’s like asking me to pick one favorite shoe. Am I headed to handle business? Am I at Sunday brunch? Am I on vacation? Am I on my sacred Friday night date with my mom? Context matters, people.

I don’t have a favorite drink.

I have a beverage wardrobe.

Red Wine: My Sophisticated Era 🍷

Let’s start with the classy side of me.

Give me a bold red blend. A Cab. A Malbec from another country with great tannins and that subtle bourbon-like finish that makes me pause and say, “Mmm… yes.”

Red wine is my:

“I earned this” drink. “Let’s discuss life and big plans” drink. “I am refined and responsible” drink.

She is poised. She swirls. She nods thoughtfully. She pretends she understands vineyard climates.

Red wine is the calm, controlled version of me.

But just wait.

Pineapple Mimosas: My Sparkly, Slightly Dangerous Brunch Personality 🍍🥂

Now listen.

You HAVE to have mimosas on brunch days. Especially on Sunday brunch. Especially when you’re on a cruise with your parents.

And let me be very clear about something:

When you are on a cruise, mimosas are a MUST every single morning.

No negotiations.

No “maybe later.”

No “I’ll just have coffee.”

You are on vacation. The ocean is sparkling. Someone else is cooking your breakfast. There is absolutely no reason not to have a mimosa in your hand before 10 a.m.

And here’s the part they don’t warn you about…

That first glass of pineapple mimosa whispers to you after breakfast:

“Go to the casino.”

“You’re feeling lucky.”

“Blackjack is basically math.”

Suddenly you’re walking confidently toward the slot machines like you have a strategy. The mimosa told you it was a good idea. And honestly? It sounded convincing at the time.

Pineapple juice mixed with champagne is joy in a glass. It says, “Good morning, but let’s celebrate it.” It says, “We are not rushing today.” It says, “Yes, you absolutely deserve another.”

Pineapple mimosas are sunshine. They are laughter before noon. They are three-hour brunches that felt like one.

They are harmless.

Until they send you gambling before lunch.

Friday Night Margaritas with My Mom 🌶🍹

Now THIS is a must.

Every Friday night, my mom and I have our date. And every Friday night, we have margaritas. Not just any margaritas.

Jalapeño margaritas.

Chopped peppers floating around like they own the place. Extra spice. A salted rim doing the most.

And here’s the funny part…

The bartender already knows.

We don’t even have to order anymore.

We walk into the bar area, and there they are. Two spicy jalapeño margaritas already being made exactly how we like them.

Kind of sad?

Maybe.

Kind of neat?

Absolutely.

They love us though. I think. I mean… they always smile. They laugh at our stories. They shake their heads a little. I’m pretty sure we are their weekly entertainment.

We don’t even sit down before the glasses hit the bar.

That’s elite-level regular status.

And when one of those hot little Mexican bartenders says,

“You like it hotter than us?”

I say, “Heck yeah.”

Because if we’re doing a margarita, we are DOING it. We are not here for mild. We are here for bold. For fire. For a little sass in a glass.

Those margaritas are bonding. They’re tradition. They’re “tell me everything that happened this week.”

And apparently, they’re predictable enough that the staff prepares themselves emotionally before we walk in.

Bourbon & Mixed Drinks: The Plot Twist 🥃

Then there’s bourbon.

Bourbon doesn’t sparkle. It doesn’t need fruit. It walks in like, “I’m here.”

Strong. Smooth. Confident.

Mixed drinks? Oh, they’re unpredictable. They’re the “let’s see where this night goes” category.

Which brings me to…

My Evil Twin: Spirit Water 👯‍♀️

According to my friends, there is a moment.

A shift.

A sparkle in my eye.

And suddenly… Spirit Water shows up.

Now I’m not sure if she’s there to:

Protect me Entertain everyone Speak bold truths Dance in the casino after a mimosa told me it was a good idea

But she arrives.

Spirit Water believes:

You only live once. Life is meant to be celebrated. Confidence should never be rationed. And blackjack before noon is totally reasonable on vacation.

Sometimes I think I’m in control.

Sometimes I think she is.

Honestly? We coexist.

So What’s My Favorite Drink?

It depends.

On the vibe.

On the company.

On the music.

On whether it’s brunch, Friday night with Mom, or a cruise morning where mimosas lead to casino adventures.

Red wine for reflection.

Pineapple mimosas for sparkle (and questionable gambling confidence).

Spicy margaritas for fire.

Bourbon for boldness.

I don’t have one favorite drink.

I have moods.

I have moments.

I have Spirit Water.

And apparently… I have bartenders who know exactly what’s coming before I even walk through the door. 😉