Vocabulary: beverage

Guinness is the most famous stout. Darker and heavier than a lager or ale. Variants include milk stout, oatmeal stout, and imperial stout.

• a dark, heavy type of beer brewed with roasted malt or barley

  He ordered a pint of stout at the pub.

Japanese loanword (抹茶). Made from shade-grown leaves ground into a fine powder, then whisked (not steeped) into hot water - unlike loose-leaf tea. Central to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

• a fine powder made from specially grown green tea leaves, traditionally whisked with hot water

  She whisked the matcha into a frothy green tea.

• a thick milky drink

  He ordered a chocolate shake.

South Asian yogurt-based drink. Sweet, often mango-flavored versions are most common outside South Asia, but savory salted versions are traditional too.

• a South Asian drink made from blended yogurt, often with fruit, sugar, or spices

  We cooled off with mango lassis after the spicy meal.

From Hindi/Urdu "chai," ultimately from Chinese "cha." Since "chai" already means tea, the common Western phrase "chai tea" is technically redundant ("tea tea"). Usually short for masala chai.

• spiced tea, typically brewed with milk, sugar, and spices such as cardamom and ginger

  He ordered a cup of chai from the street vendor.

Korean loanword (소주). Traditionally distilled from rice, though most mass-market brands now use other starches like sweet potato or tapioca. Distilled, unlike the brewed Japanese sake.

• a clear Korean distilled spirit, typically lower in alcohol than vodka or whiskey

  They toasted with shots of soju at the barbecue restaurant.

• a red or white wine flavored with aromatic herbs, made chiefly in France and Italy and used in cocktails

  A dry vermouth.

Short for caffe latte (Italian: "milk coffee"). Distinct from a cappuccino (more foam, less milk).

• a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk

  She ordered a vanilla latte at the cafe.

Named after the Yemeni port of Mocha, historically a major coffee trading center.

1. (uncountable) a fine quality coffee, originally from Arabia

   He bought a bag of mocha beans.

2. (countable) a drink combining coffee with chocolate

   She ordered a vanilla mocha.

Spelling convention: "whisky" for Scotch and Canadian; "whiskey" for Irish and American. From Gaelic uisge beatha ("water of life").

• a strong distilled alcoholic drink made from grain such as barley or rye

  He poured himself a glass of whiskey.

"Whisky": Scotch (Scottish). "Whiskey": Irish/American. Famous types: Scotch, Bourbon (US), Rye, Irish. From Gaelic "uisge beatha" (water of life).

• a strong alcoholic drink made from grain

  He poured a glass of whisky.

Legally, only sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France can be called "Champagne" (capitalized). Others must use "sparkling wine". Famous brands: Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon.

• a sparkling white wine from the Champagne region of France

  They opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Japanese loanword (酒). Brewed from fermented rice, not distilled - often mistranslated as "rice wine".

• a Japanese alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice

  They served warm sake with the meal.

• the liquid part of a fruit or vegetable

  She squeezed fresh orange juice.

In UK and most countries: alcoholic. In US: usually "hard cider" (alcoholic) vs. "sweet cider" (unfiltered apple juice). Apple wine.

• a fermented or unfermented drink made from apples

  He drank a pint of dry cider.

Second most consumed beverage globally after water. "Not my cup of tea" = not to my taste. "Spill the tea": slang for gossip. UK: "tea" can mean a late afternoon meal.

• a hot drink made from dried plant leaves

  She drank a cup of tea.

"Draught beer": from keg, not bottle.

• a beer or other drink served from a cask or keg rather than a bottle

  He ordered a pint of draught beer.

• a beer or other drink served from a cask or keg rather than a bottle

  They only serve draft beer here.

Origin disputed. "Cocktail party": informal gathering. "Cocktail hour": early evening. Figurative: "a cocktail of drugs", combination.

• a mixed alcoholic drink

  She ordered a martini cocktail.

Cognac and Armagnac are famous French brandies. "Brandy snifter": specific tulip-shaped glass. Often served as digestif after meals.

• a strong alcoholic drink made from wine

  He sipped his brandy slowly.

• (informal, especially Southern US) any carbonated soft drink, or specifically Coca-Cola

  Can I get you a coke?

Historically valued for its bitter quinine, once taken to prevent malaria - hence "gin and tonic" became popular among British colonials.

• (also 'tonic water') a carbonated, quinine-flavored mixer drink, often mixed with gin

  He ordered a gin and tonic.

• a drink of espresso coffee diluted with hot water

  I'll have a decaf Americano, please.