Going for a few days to Paris this week (Wed thru Sat) and need Fodorites help. I usually have tea or an alcoholic drink at cafes-such as beer, kir, pernod etc., but cannot have any alcohol for a while--stomach problems. <BR><BR>However, I always see so many other interesting, brightly colored drinks being consumed...what do other posters drink w/o alcohol, what are your favorites, what ARE those red, yellow, green etc. drinks ??? <BR><BR>Suggestions pls - and thanks in advance for the help. I plan to cafe sit a lot and will have time to try lots of new drinks!<BR><BR>Judy in Germany

Try an "infusion" or tisane - camomile, verveine, menthe - if you want something warm.<BR><BR>For something cold, you can't beat a citron press&eacute; or an orange press&eacute;.

Another approach is to order non-alcoholic beer. It's common in Paris restaurants, and the best brand I've found - - Tourtel - - is quite good. Unfortunately, you can't find it in the states.

I don't usually drink nonalcoholic drinks in a cafe in the evening, other than after-dinner expresso. However, I would think those colored drinks you are viewing are probably alcoholic, as lots of colored drinks are due to the colored flavoring or liquer (creme de cassis, creme de curacao, grenadine, etc).<BR><BR>I don't care for herbal tea much, but the only non-alcoholic things I drink are coffee, tea and a citron presse (which I would not want in the evening). Of course, I'm sure you know there are various soft drinks, like Orangina is an orange soft drink. They have some other flavors of Orangina, also, I think, but I don't like soft drinks so don't remember them.<BR><BR>I think it's often easiest just to look at the menu for what's available, a good cafe has lots of drinks on there.

<BR>One of my favourites, especially in very hot weather, is 'menthe a l'eau', which is creme de menthe over lots of ice and topped with either flat or carbonated water served in a tall glass. If, however you don't like the taste of mint, stay away.<BR><BR>I first tasted this while on holiday in the steaming French West Indies and now always drink it in hot weather. Very refreshing.

Yes, I love "Menthe a l'eau" as well. Very refreshing.<BR>BTW, it's called "Diabolo menthe" when served with carbonized water.

The citron presse is do-it-yourself lemonade, and provides entertainment as well as a lovely beverage. Many cafes have fresh-squeezed orange juice (orange presse); it's a bit less sweet than American juice (for whatever reason) - if they have juice from blood oranges, try that.<BR><BR>There are a variety of fizzy mineral waters, like Badoit, that you can order.<BR><BR>Some cafes have other fruit juices, like grapefruit or pineapple. Many have the French version of a Shirley Temple or a Horse's Neck (look for "sans alcool" on the menu).<BR><BR>You can always ask the waiter for a suggestion - no need to go into a long explanation why, just ask for his suggestion for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink.<BR><BR>

I like a Sirop a l'eau -- a variety of syrups (my favorite is cassis) in water.

to answer your question the colorful drinks you are seeing are sirop d leau and are similar to the syrups available at places like ferraras in nyc and the flavored syrups in starbucks. You order your flavour syrup and either flat or gassy water and vila you mix it yourself.<BR> Don;t feel bad aboiut not ordering alcohol at cafes I am a diabetic and rarely drink alcohol for medical reasons. I drink ceylon tea, san pellagrino or diet coke . No one has ever looked down there nose at me wether late at night or mid day. When a flirtatious waiter pushes alcohol I simply explain I am a diabetic and wonderful wine could make me very ill and no one has ever been rude.

San Pelligrino bitters is non-alchohol, looks like Campari and tastes a lot like it, too. (I love the bottle.)

nice <BR>nothing to add, but bringing it to the top

A diablo menthe is mint syrup and lemonade (what Americans call sprite or 7up), I think...

But isn't creme de menthe itself alcoholic?