I previously wrote about what to drink when you’re heartbroken. And I think a fair amount of people could relate to it. Imbibers far and wide commiserated with the downtrodden and brokenhearted. I’m sure some people got a few tips on how to cope with that difficult time. And others were able to look back on their own breakup experiences and see how far they’ve come.

Nothing lasts forever. Even if it feels like the pain will never end, it will. And once you’ve squeezed your tear ducts dry—like in that scene from Something’s Gotta Give, where Diane Keaton’s character goes about her day and bawls her eyes out in despair intermittently—you will eventually find yourself on the other side of heartbreak. The side that gives you the strength to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move on with your life.

This article is for the moment. For when you’re finally ready to put yourself out there again. When you’re single and ready to mingle. These are some tips to help you out and get yourself back in that saddle or whatever idiom you’d like to use for dating or meeting new people.

Your first option is for you to drink beverages with low ABV (alcohol by volume). These drinks will allow you to last longer in a social setup. For something flirty and yummy, the spritz is a good bet. A spritz, a wine cocktail traditionally made of Aperol, Prosecco (Italian white wine), and soda water, is bubbly and refreshing, with a slight bitter note and low ABV. Perfect for when you’re out and about and want to have a few cocktails without crossing the threshold to drunken mess.

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A spritz

If bubbly cocktails aren’t your thing, you can never go wrong with beer. I’m not talking about strong beer, and you don’t have to be limited to the mainstream brands either. There is a wide variety of craft beers, both local and foreign out there. Pick what you like, within maybe a 5-6% ABV, and set a number of drinks you will have for the night and you’re set. Beer is approachable and projects a social image, which are good things when you’re trying to meet new people.

craft-beer
Perfect Pint craft beers

Going on the opposite spectrum here, but another option is some good old-fashioned whisky. Yes, I’ve been going on and on about drinking low ABV drinks. But sometimes, you just don’t want a bubbly cocktail or beer. There is a reason why it’s called “water of life” so I can’t fault you for wanting some of that. The key here is to drink smart, and to play the long game. So sip your whisky like you’re meant to, take a moment to enjoy its flavors and complexities, and, as your palate is opening up, open up to new possibilities and experiences.

whisky
Whisky

I know that putting yourself out there after heartbreak can be intimidating. And sometimes you want to make the first move instead of waiting for them to come to you, but there is something holding you back. This suggestion is just for this particular instance. Alcohol isn’t called liquid courage for nothing, and there are times when you just need that push or—in this case—shot to get you past that final hurdle. So one straightforward shot of tequila (the good stuff, of course) is good to give you that firm nudge to make that daunting first move. Use this tip sparingly, because when it is used liberally, it can seriously backfire.

Tequila
Tequila

These suggestions are for you to be able to balance enjoying your drinks without going overboard, while taking that crucial step towards moving on. It might seem overwhelming at first, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it. Good luck and cheers!

 

Restaurateur, expert drinker, creative proprietor of steam punk bar Hooch, SMITH Butcher and Grill Room, Ebeneezers, Poulet Manille, and Ampersand. She wrote The Standard newspaper’s Tipple Tales cocktail and spirits column and co-hosted the Manila episode of the Travel Channel show Booze Traveler with cocktail connoisseur Jack Maxwell. She is DrinkManila’s resident mixology expert.

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