Navigating a French menu or café can be fun but tricky, especially when it comes to the drinks. Our guide, ‘Drinks In French: Explore 70 Words And Phrases For Beverages,’ dives deep into the language of drinks, from bubbly Champagne to simple café au lait. Getting to know these words is more than just about ordering smoothly—it’s a peek into France’s social and cultural life. So, the big question might not be what you’ll drink, but what conversations and connections you’ll spark with your new words.
How to Order Drinks in French?
When you want to order drinks in French, it’s good to know the names of different kinds of drinks. You should know words for things like soda and juice, and for hot drinks like coffee and tea.
French | English Translation |
Versez-moi un peu de rêve | Pour me a little dream |
Une coupe de joie, s’il vous plaît | A glass of joy, please |
J’aimerais goûter les étoiles | I’d like to taste the stars |
Un verre de courage, patron | A glass of courage, boss |
Arrosez mon âme, je vous prie | Water my soul, I pray |
Une dose de chaleur pour le cœur | A dose of warmth for the heart |
Déversez la magie dans mon verre | Unleash the magic into my glass |
Un filtre d’oubli, merci | A filter of forgetfulness, thank you |
Versez-moi un sourire liquide | Pour me a liquid smile |
Une gorgée d’histoire, s’il vous plaît | A sip of history, please |
Ordering Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Ordering non-alcoholic drinks like sodas and juices in French requires you to know some basic words and phrases. This helps make sure you’re understood clearly when you’re at a café or restaurant.
French | English Translation |
Je voudrais un jus de pomme. | I would like an apple juice. |
Un coca, s’il vous plaît. | A coke, please. |
Je prendrai une limonade. | I’ll have lemonade. |
Avez-vous du jus d’orange frais ? | Do you have fresh orange juice? |
Un thé glacé pour moi. | An iced tea for me. |
Je peux avoir de l’eau gazeuse ? | Can I have sparkling water? |
Un smoothie aux fruits rouges. | A berry smoothie. |
Un chocolat chaud, sans crème. | A hot chocolate, without cream. |
Quelle sorte de sodas avez-vous ? | What kind of sodas do you have? |
Un grand verre de jus de tomate. | A large glass of tomato juice. |
Ordering Hot Drinks
In France, when you want a coffee or tea, you need to know the right phrases. For a strong, small coffee, you just say, ‘Un espresso, s’il vous plaît.’ If you like it a bit weaker, you can ask for ‘Un café allongé, s’il vous plaît,’ which is an espresso diluted with water. If you’re a tea person, say ‘Un thé noir, s’il vous plaît’ to get black tea.
French | English Translation |
Un café, s’il vous plaît. | A coffee, please. |
Je voudrais un thé. | I would like tea. |
Un chocolat chaud. | A hot chocolate. |
Un café au lait. | A coffee with milk. |
Un espresso serré. | A strong espresso. |
Un cappuccino. | A cappuccino. |
Un café allongé. | An Americano. |
Un thé vert. | Green tea. |
Une tisane. | An herbal tea. |
Un café crème. | A coffee with cream. |
Ordering Beer and Wine
When exploring French drinks, it’s good to know how to order beer and wine. Just say, “Je voudrais une bière, s’il vous plaît,” for a beer. That means, “I would like a beer, please.”
For wine, you can say, “Un verre de vin, s’il vous plaît,” or “A glass of wine, please.” If you prefer red or white, just add “rouge” or “blanc” after “vin.” Like, “Je voudrais un verre de vin rouge, s’il vous plaît.” Always throw in a “Merci” and “s’il vous plaît” to keep things polite.
French | English Translation |
Une bière, s’il vous plaît | A beer, please |
Je voudrais un verre de vin rouge | I would like a glass of red wine |
Un verre de vin blanc, s’il vous plaît | A glass of white wine, please |
Une pinte de bière pression | A pint of draft beer |
Je prendrai une bouteille de vin | I’ll have a bottle of wine |
Avez-vous une carte des vins ? | Do you have a wine list? |
Quelle est votre bière locale ? | What’s your local beer? |
Un demi de blonde | A half pint of lager |
Je voudrais goûter ce rosé | I’d like to taste this rosé |
Une bière sans alcool | A non-alcoholic beer |
Quel vin recommandez-vous ? | Which wine do you recommend? |
Un pichet de vin de la maison | A pitcher of house wine |
Une dégustation de vos bières, s’il vous plaît | A tasting of your beers, please |
Un verre de Champagne | A glass of Champagne |
Also Read: 85 Commonly Used French Words And Phrases In English
Coffee in French
Coffee plays a significant role in French culture and daily life. In France, coffee is often enjoyed in small, strong servings, typically as an espresso. The French tend to savor their coffee, often lingering over a cup at a café while socializing or people-watching.
French | English |
Café | Coffee |
Expresso | Espresso |
Café au lait | Coffee with milk |
Café crème | Coffee with cream |
Café allongé | Americano (diluted espresso) |
Café serré | Strong espresso |
Cappuccino | Cappuccino |
Café décaféiné | Decaffeinated coffee |
Café glacé | Iced coffee |
Café noir | Black coffee |
Alcoholic Drinks in French
France is famous for its many alcoholic drinks. These range from wines and champagnes to spirits like cognac and liqueurs. Each region in France has its own special drinks, reflecting local tastes and traditions. French people often enjoy these drinks with meals or during social gatherings, making them an important part of French culture and daily life.
French | English |
Vin | Wine |
Bière | Beer |
Champagne | Champagne |
Cognac | Cognac |
Pastis | Pastis |
Whisky | Whisky |
Vodka | Vodka |
Rhum | Rum |
Gin | Gin |
Liqueur | Liqueur |
Cidre | Cider |
Armagnac | Armagnac |
Absinthe | Absinthe |
Kir | Kir |
Calvados | Calvados |
Popular Drinks in French Culture
French | English Translation |
Pastis | Pastis |
Kir | Kir |
Vin chaud | Mulled wine |
Café gourmand | Gourmet coffee |
Chocolat chaud | Hot chocolate |
Cidre | Cider |
Monaco | Monaco |
Picon bière | Picon beer |
Diabolo menthe | Mint diabolo |
Perrier-menthe | Perrier with mint |
Expresso | Espresso |
Champagne | Champagne |
Vin | Wine |
Also Read: 75 Most Common French Adjectives And How To Use Them
Fun Phrases and Vocabulary for Ordering Drinks in French
Different Ways to Ask for a Drink
Want to order drinks in French smoothly and stylishly? Start by learning some key phrases. Kick off with the basics: say ‘Je voudrais un/une…’ plus the drink you want. It means ‘I would like a…’. To be more polite, try ‘Pourrais-je avoir…?’, which means ‘Could I have…?’. Using these phrases helps make sure you’re understood, making your time in French-speaking places more enjoyable.
French | English Translation |
Je peux avoir un verre? | Can I have a glass? |
Vous avez quelque chose à boire? | Do you have something to drink? |
J’aimerais commander une boisson | I’d like to order a drink |
On se prend un verre? | Shall we get a drink? |
Ça te dit un petit coup? | Fancy a little drink? |
Tu me sers un verre? | Will you pour me a glass? |
J’ai soif, tu as de quoi boire? | I’m thirsty, do you have anything to drink? |
On trinque? | Shall we have a toast? |
T’aurais pas un truc à siroter? | Don’t you have something to sip on? |
Je prendrais bien un petit remontant | I could use a little pick-me-up |
French | English Translation |
Je peux avoir un verre? | Can I have a glass? |
Vous avez quelque chose à boire? | Do you have something to drink? |
How to say “Cheers” in French?
In France, when you raise a glass, you often hear ‘Santé!’ It’s their way of saying ‘Cheers!’ and it means ‘health.’ Everyone usually clinks their glasses together when they say it.
If it’s a more formal occasion, you might hear ‘À votre santé,’ which means ‘To your health.’ For a fun, casual toast, you might hear ‘Tchin-tchin,’ which sounds like glasses clinking. This phrase comes from the Chinese ‘qing qing,’ but the French love to use it. When you toast, remember to look each other in the eyes. It’s bad luck if you don’t.
How to Say “I’m Drunk” in French?
When you’re enjoying drinks in France, it’s good to know how to say you’ve had enough. Just say ‘Je suis ivre.’ If you want to sound more casual, you can also say ‘Je suis bourré’ or ‘Je suis saoul.’ These phrases let people know you’re feeling drunk. It’s a smart way to keep track of how much you’re drinking. Plus, it tells others you might need some help or should stop drinking. It’s all part of having fun and staying safe while you explore French drinking culture.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, knowing how to order drinks in French really makes your time in France better. Whether you’re just grabbing a quick drink or diving into the elegant world of French cocktail culture, understanding these words helps you get more out of the experience. This guide not only makes it easier to talk to people but also helps you connect with the rich culinary and social scenes in France. If you want to master French or any other languages, keep visiting Translation Blog for the latest updates!