There's no more of an inherent problem in alcohol than there is in caffeine. Both are drugs; one's an upper and the other is a downer. To rail against alcohol because it affects your body chemistry is asinine. Everything you ingest does. Just be responsible and moderate, like you should be with everything else you put in your body. That doesn't mean everyone likes it necessarily, and that's fine, but too many non-drinkers have an unfounded superiority complex over those who do drink, and that's absurd. I don't drink soda. Does that make me better than others? I like to slam shots of jägermeister or some neat scotch whisky sometimes. Does that make me better than others? It's a non-issue, people. Turakii, from what you've said here, I'd definitely recommend going by Nukaya's list here. She knows what she's talking about and it definitely sounds like you'd prefer fruitier, colourful cocktails - things based around schnapps and the like. It sounds like you've been making the mistake of trying liquors straight instead of mixing them. Certainly some of us do enjoy straight liquor (I know I do - I don't feel a burn anymore from whiskey or rum or good vodka), but most people don't. Things like vodka and rum are generally for mixing. Basically y'all are doing it wrong, people. I wonder if I have any plum wine left...