Oh, we’re doing this?
“What’s your favorite drink?”
That’s like asking, “What’s your favorite word?” or “What’s your favorite oxygen molecule?” Context matters, people.
Honestly, my favorite drink depends entirely on what kind of version of me you’re dealing with.
If I’m legitimately thirsty—like Florida-in-August, Duval-County-dismissal-duty thirsty—the answer is Gatorade Zero Glacier Cherry. Which, for the record, is white. White. Glacier Cherry.
Why is it white? I don’t know. Why are raspberries blue? Why is “Cherry Ice” sometimes purple? At this point, I’ve just accepted that the fruit color wheel is more of a suggestion than a rule. If we can have blue raspberries, we can absolutely have white cherries. I’m not here to police pigment.
Now, classroom Doug? That’s a different animal entirely.
Enter: the Giganto Wawa Cup.
This is less of a beverage container and more of a hydration strategy. Some days I go full mad scientist and mix Mello Yello Zero flavors like I’m inventing a margarita-inspired soft drink for people who still have fourth period to teach. Other days I let the soda fountain professionals handle it. Yesterday’s selection? Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Cherry Float. Not my invention. I don’t need that kind of pressure in my life. I just consume the genius of others.
My mother—God bless her practical soul—would prefer my favorite drink be water. Simple. Clean. Responsible. Hydrating.
She would also like me to floss more and get eight hours of sleep.
We can’t all live up to our potential.
Now… if I’m sitting at my desk—really sitting at my desk—the answer gets complicated in the best way possible.
Bourbon.
But even that is unfairly broad. That’s like asking which child is your favorite, except the children are 64 bottles deep into a Best-of-the-Shelf bracket challenge and staring at you from behind Glencairn glasses. Some are high-proof fire breathers. Some are caramel-and-vanilla charmers. Some were finished in wine casks and act like they studied abroad.
So what’s my favorite?
Depends on the day. Depends on the mood. Depends on whether I’m writing a Sunday reflection or recovering from a faculty meeting that could have been an email.
Ultimately, though, the honest answer is this:
My favorite drink is whatever fits the moment.
- Sweaty and overheated? Glacier Cherry (white, because sure).
- Teaching and caffeinated? Some Frankenstein Zero Sugar creation from Wawa.
- Reflective and relaxed? Something amber, neat, in a Glencairn.
- Annoyed by generic blog prompts at 7:00 a.m.? Coke Zero Cherry Float.
Right now? It’s too early for the brown liquor. Even I have standards.
So I think I’ll finish this, grab another Coke Zero Float, and toast to the fact that at least the drink choices are more interesting than the question.
Cheers—to context.
Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
