Ack! I've been a beer drinker for so long, that my cocktail experience for the most part has revolved around crappy well drinks at the bar (whiskey sours, vodka cran, rum and Coke type drinks), or even crappier drinks mixed at home- primarily consisting of juice or soda and cheap liquor.

I actually have been experimenting more lately, though. My favorite thing right now is a few slices of fresh ginger, 5 or so mint sprigs, and the juice of a whole lemon- muddled with gin, whiskey, or rum (depends on what I have in the freezer), and mixed with tonic water, or half gingerale/half water. I'm finding that I really enjoy tart drinks with very little sweetness. My goal right now is to perfect a gin and tonic (to my liking).