What’s Her Poison?

My daughter is turning 21 years old next week. How crazy is that?! I remember when I became of legal age like it was yesterday.

Well, I remember some of that day. Actually, it’s a bit of a blur.

Anyway, I decided to be “the cool mom” and buy her something from the liquor store to celebrate. A typical visit to the store lasts about five-ten minutes – just enough time to pick up a last-minute bottle of wine after realizing the restaurant we are going to is a BYOB. This time I spent half an hour trying to decide what Jenna might like and left empty-handed. I don’t know what the kids like these days, and I certainly do not know my daughter’s drink of choice. But I’m not under the illusion that she doesn’t have one.

When I was her age, I loved my Seagrams wine coolers and rum and cokes over the more affordable and highly accessible Coors Light and Corona. Remember Zima? I was a big fan.

But, my prior knowledge of alcoholic beverages from the 1990s was of no help to me right now. Does she like Malibu Rum? Or is that too sweet? A little Bailey’s Irish Cream, maybe? That’s more of a coffee drink. How about a nice bottle of wine? Where do I start? The options are endless! I briefly considered a bottle of pre-mixed sangria, but then I shook my head and kept walking. I didn’t think it would be this hard.

Or maybe my brain can’t accept that she is turning 21 and able to walk in this store and purchase whatever she fancies. When she was a little girl, her favorite drink was chocolate milk. Maybe I would have had better luck at Wawa; they have Yoohoo.

Frustrated, I bought myself a $20 bottle of wine and went home. My firstborn is turning 21. I need a drink.