{"id":118883,"date":"2023-09-04T08:40:27","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T12:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-drinks-vocabulary\/"},"modified":"2025-02-22T03:21:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T08:21:31","slug":"french-drinks-vocabulary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-drinks-vocabulary\/","title":{"rendered":"Drinks in French: 150 Words and Phrases for Beverages"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the first things you’ll likely do in France, or even in a French restaurant or caf\u00e9 in your hometown, is order a drink.<\/p>\n

So a good place to start is the words for “drink” in French. A non-alcoholic drink is\u00a0une boisson<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/i>and an alcoholic beverage is\u00a0un<\/i><\/b> verre <\/i><\/b>(literally: “a glass”).<\/p>\n

If you sit down in a French restaurant or bar, the drinks interaction will probably start with the server asking you: Qu\u2019est-ce que vous voulez boire ?<\/em> (What do you want to drink?)<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide to drink names, from coffee to cocktails<\/strong>, and ordering drinks in French<\/strong> will never leave you high and dry (or thirsty), or sounding like a sauvage<\/em> (savage).<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Drinks in French<\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

If you’re thirsty, or a<\/em>voir soif<\/em> (to be thirsty), there<\/span> are countless types of drinks you can order.<\/p>\n

But before we do that, you’ll probably want to know how to say “to drink.” It’s b<\/em>oire<\/em>. “To sip” is <\/span>siroter<\/em>, which works better with wine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you go to a caf\u00e9, a restaurant or a grocery store, you’ll also need to know the names of everyday drinks such as water, coffee and milk, so that’s where we’ll start:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English<\/th>French<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Aperitif<\/td> L'ap\u00e9ritif<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water<\/td> L'eau<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coffee<\/td> Le caf\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tea<\/td> Le th\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Juice<\/td> Le jus<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Milk<\/td> Le lait<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hot chocolate<\/td> Le chocolat chaud<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wine<\/td> Le vin<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beer<\/td> La bi\u00e8re<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Champagne<\/td> Le champagne<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cocktail<\/td> Le cocktail<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Soda<\/td> Le soda<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smoothie<\/td> Le smoothie<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carbonated drink<\/td> La boisson gazeuse<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coca Cola<\/td> Le coca<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lemon soda\/Sprite<\/td> La limonade<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Ordering a Drink in French<\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Here are some examples of basic phrases you’ll need to know no matter what type of drink you’re ordering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English<\/th>French<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I would like to see the drink menu<\/td> Je voudrais voir la carte des boissons s'il vous pla\u00eet.<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I would like some tea please<\/td> Je voudrais prendre du th\u00e9 s'il vous pla\u00eet.<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I would like some water<\/td> Je voudrais de l'eau.<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I would like to order some wine please<\/td> Je voudrais commander du vin s'il vous pla\u00eet.<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I would like...<\/td> Je voudrais... <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can I have...<\/td> Puis-je avoir...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I'll take...<\/td> Je prendrai...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Could you give me...<\/td> Pourriez-vous me donner...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
One...<\/td> Un \/ une...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Please<\/td> S'il vous pla\u00eet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What do you have for...<\/td> Qu'est-ce que vous avez comme...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I prefer...<\/td> Je pr\u00e9f\u00e8re...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Do you serve...<\/td> Est-ce que vous servez...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A bottle of...<\/td> Une bouteille de...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A glass of...<\/td> Un verre de...<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
With ice cubes<\/td> Avec gla\u00e7ons<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

As you can see, even when using other verbs such as\u00a0prendre\u00a0<\/em>(to take) or\u00a0commander\u00a0<\/em>(to order), I highly recommend you still use\u00a0voudrais\u00a0<\/em>because it’s truly the most polite and accepted way to order in French.<\/p>\n

Just as we use different terms when asking for drinks in English (a can<\/strong> of soda, a bottle<\/strong> of water, etc.), the French have many different ways of expressing drink types and quantities.<\/p>\n

Knowing how to ask for a drink using the correct terms and quantity words will come in handy when ordering food in French<\/a>, whether it’s on the go or at almost any sit-down restaurant in France.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English<\/th>French<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
A bottle<\/td> Une bouteille<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A glass<\/td> Un verre<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A cup<\/td> Une tasse<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A disposable cup<\/td> Un gobelet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A shot<\/td> Un shot<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A bowl<\/td> Un bol<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A can<\/td> Une canette<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A pot\/jar<\/td> Un pot<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A liter<\/td> Un litre<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Half a liter<\/td> Un demi-litre<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A quarter of a liter<\/td> Un quart de litre<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A pitcher<\/td> Un pichet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A pint<\/td> Une pinte<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A wine glass<\/td> Un verre \u00e0 vin<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A small can<\/td> Une mini canette<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Let’s face it \u2014 for many of us, coffee is the most important drink of the day!<\/p>\n

Coffee in French<\/h2>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Here are a few words and phrases for ordering this must-have in one of France’s many quaint caf\u00e9s.<\/a> That’s right: learn how to order coffee in French<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English<\/th>French<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
A coffee (usually referring to a small espresso)<\/td> Un caf\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Black coffee<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 noir<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coffee with more water (similar to an Americano)<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 allong\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coffee with cream (similar to a latte)<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 cr\u00e8me<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coffee with milk<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 au lait<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cappuccino<\/td> Un cappuccino<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Caf\u00e9 latte<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 latte<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Espresso<\/td> Un expresso<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Decaffeinated coffee<\/td> Un d\u00e9caf\u00e9in\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strong espresso (short and strong)<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 serr\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweetened coffee<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 sucr\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iced coffee<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 glac\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Viennese coffee (coffee with whipped cream)<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 viennois<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A coffee served with small desserts<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 gourmand<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A filtered coffee\/American coffee<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 filtre<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Double espresso<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 double<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I would like a coffee.<\/td> Je voudrais un caf\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A coffee, please.<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 s'il vous pla\u00eet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I'll take an espresso.<\/td> Je prendrai un expresso<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
An Americano, please.<\/td> Un caf\u00e9 allong\u00e9 s'il vous pla\u00eet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A cappuccino, please.<\/td> Un cappuccino s'il vous pla\u00eet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Alcoholic Drinks in French<\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A night out can be a blast, especially if you have the right vocabulary<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English<\/th>French<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bar<\/td> Le bar<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bartender<\/td> Le barman<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wine<\/td> Vin<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beer<\/td> Bi\u00e8re<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Champagne<\/td> Champagne<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sake<\/td> Sak\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rum<\/td> Rhum<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Whisky<\/td> Whisky<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vodka<\/td> Vodka<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tequila<\/td> Tequila<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cognac<\/td> Cognac<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Liqueur<\/td> Liqueur<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aperitif<\/td> Ap\u00e9ritif<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Digestif<\/td> Digestif<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cocktail<\/td> Cocktail<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mojito<\/td> Mojito<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cosmopolitan<\/td> Cosmopolitan<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Margarita<\/td> Margarita<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Martini<\/td> Martini<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daiquiri<\/td> Da\u00efquiri<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mimosa<\/td> Mimosa<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Punch<\/td> Punch<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kir Royal<\/td> Kir Royal<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cider<\/td> Cidre<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
French 75<\/td> French 75<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pastis (anise-flavored liquor)<\/td> Pastis<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Buying and Ordering Wine in French<\/h2>\n

As you can imagine, wine is a big deal in France. Because of this, there’s a whole set of vocabulary associated with it.<\/p>\n

As such, when walking into a wine shop in France or asking for help in selecting wine at a finer restaurant, you may hear the phrase,\u00a0“V<\/em><\/strong>ous voulez mettre combien ?” <\/em><\/strong>(How much are you looking to spend?)\u00a0or\u00a0“Vous d\u00e9sirez une bouteille de vin dans les combiens ?”<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(What is your price range for a bottle of wine?).<\/p>\n

In response to the first question, simply state the number you’re willing to spend (for example, “40 euros maximum”<\/em>). To reply to the second type of question, use this form:\u00a0“Dans les 40 euros environ” (<\/em>Around 40 euros).<\/p>\n

Here are some more wine words for all you wine enthusiasts out there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English<\/th>French<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Wine<\/td> Vin<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red wine<\/td> Vin rouge<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
White wine<\/td> Vin blanc<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ros\u00e9 wine<\/td> Ros\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dry wine<\/td> Vin sec<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mulled wine<\/td> Vin chaud<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweet wine<\/td> Vin doux<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vintage<\/td> Cru<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vine<\/td> La vigne<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wine cellar<\/td> La cave<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grape variety<\/td> C\u00e9page<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vineyard<\/td> Le vignoble<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Terroir, sense of place<\/td> Terroir<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aroma, bouquet<\/td> Bouquet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aromas<\/td> Ar\u00f4mes<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dry<\/td> Sec<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweet<\/td> Doux<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balanced<\/td> \u00c9quilibr\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fruity<\/td> Fruit\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tannic<\/td> Tannique<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Light<\/td> L\u00e9ger<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full-bodied<\/td> Cors\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citrus fruits<\/td> Agrumes<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red fruits<\/td> Fruits rouges<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dark fruits<\/td> Fruits noirs<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oak<\/td> Ch\u00eane<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vanilla<\/td> Vanille<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spicy<\/td> \u00c9pic\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mineral<\/td> Min\u00e9ral<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Well aerated<\/td> Bien a\u00e9r\u00e9<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A glass of wine, please.<\/td> Un verre de vin s'il vous pla\u00eet<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I'm looking for a dry red wine.<\/td> Je cherche un vin rouge sec<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Do you have a full-bodied white wine?<\/td> Avez-vous un vin blanc cors\u00e9 ?<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the specialty of the region?<\/td> Quelle est la sp\u00e9cialit\u00e9 de la r\u00e9gion ?<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

For even more words and phrases about French wine culture, check out this FluentU French YouTube video<\/a>:<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

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