I went out to drink for the first time in ages last night. And was reminded of a question that’s bugged me about grammar and drinking for a while.
When ordering more than one burbon and coke, do you ask for “two bourbon and cokes” or “two bourbons and coke” – I favour the second, and bartenders seem to understand my request.
Thoughts?
You’re quite mad. Charmingly so, but mad nonetheless.
You wouldn’t say two gins and tonic, would you? (Would you?!)
If you’re going to do anything other than put that friendly little plurifying ’s’ anywhere other than the end you should just drop it entirely and opt for the abbreviated form such as ‘two whisky dry’ or ‘two vodka cranberry’.
‘two bourbon coke’ doesn’t work though. Although your other examples are good.
It’s going to be one of those situations in English where no clear rule can be established. Or so says I?
Googling for advice on pluralising gin and tonic, it seems the most common answer is “gin and tonics”. (But some hilarious person said “JUST SAY ‘G&Ts’ LOLZ!!!!!” Yeah, thanks.)
Also, if you asked for “two bourbons and coke” you could conceivably be asking for a drink made with two different kinds of bourbon mixed with coke.
But, really, you can solve the problem by not drinking bourbon and cokes. It’s a bogan girl’s drink.