A comprehensive guide to French vocabulary for drinks, covering categories like water, hot beverages, alcoholic drinks, and ordering phrases.

French drink vocabulary spans everything from simple water to complex cocktails. This guide covers essential terms across categories like non-alcoholic beverages, hot drinks, wines and spirits, and common phrases for ordering drinks in France.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks include everything from water to fruit juices and sodas. These are common in everyday life and essential for dining out or shopping.

French Singular	French Plural	English Singular	English Plural	French Example	English Example
une eau	des eaux	a water	waters	Je voudrais une eau, s’il vous plaît.	I would like a water, please.
un jus d’orange	des jus d’orange	an orange juice	orange juices	Elle boit un jus d’orange au petit-déjeuner.	She drinks an orange juice for breakfast.
un soda	des sodas	a soda	sodas	Il prend un soda au citron.	He’s having a lemon soda.
un lait	des laits	a milk	milks	Je prends un lait froid.	I’m having cold milk.
un thé glacé	des thés glacés	an iced tea	iced teas	Nous commandons des thés glacés.	We order iced teas.

Hot Drinks

Hot drinks are a staple of French culture, especially coffee and tea. They’re often enjoyed in the morning or during a social break.

French Singular	French Plural	English Singular	English Plural	French Example	English Example
un café	des cafés	a coffee	coffees	Je prends un café noir.	I have a black coffee.
un thé	des thés	a tea	teas	Elle boit un thé vert.	She drinks green tea.
un chocolat chaud	des chocolats chauds	a hot chocolate	hot chocolates	Les enfants aiment le chocolat chaud.	Children like hot chocolate.
un expresso	des expressos	an espresso	espressos	Il commande un expresso double.	He orders a double espresso.
un cappuccino	des cappuccinos	a cappuccino	cappuccinos	On boit un cappuccino au lait d’amande.	We’re drinking almond milk cappuccinos.

Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic drinks include everything from wine and beer to cocktails and aperitifs. They’re often enjoyed socially or with meals.

French Singular	French Plural	English Singular	English Plural	French Example	English Example
un vin rouge	des vins rouges	a red wine	red wines	Je prends un verre de vin rouge.	I’ll have a glass of red wine.
une bière	des bières	a beer	beers	Il boit une bière pression.	He’s drinking a draft beer.
un cocktail	des cocktails	a cocktail	cocktails	Nous partageons un cocktail au citron vert.	We’re sharing a lime cocktail.
un champagne	-	a champagne	-	Ils célèbrent avec du champagne.	They’re celebrating with champagne.
un apéritif	des apéritifs	an aperitif	aperitifs	On prend un apéritif avant le dîner.	We have an aperitif before dinner.

Compartimos ___ de lima.

What is 'a cocktail' in French?

un vin

un cocktail

une bière

un apéritif

un cocktail

The French word for 'a cocktail' is 'un cocktail'.

Él bebe ___ de barril.

How do you say 'a beer' in French?

un vin

une bière

un cocktail

un apéritif

une bière

The French word for 'a beer' is 'une bière'.

Ordering Phrases

These phrases are useful for ordering drinks in a café, bar, or restaurant. Politeness and clarity are key in French service interactions.

French Singular	French Plural	English Singular	English Plural	French Example	English Example
Je voudrais...	-	I would like...	-	Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.	I would like a coffee, please.
L’addition, s’il vous plaît.	-	The bill, please.	-	L’addition, s’il vous plaît.	The bill, please.
C’est tout ?	-	Is that all?	-	Serveur : C’est tout ? Client : Oui, merci.	Waiter: Is that all? Customer: Yes, thank you.
Un verre de...	-	A glass of...	-	Un verre de vin blanc, s’il vous plaît.	A glass of white wine, please.
À emporter ou sur place ?	-	To take away or here?	-	Serveur : À emporter ou sur place ? Client : Sur place.	Waiter: To take away or here? Customer: Here.

Conclusion

Building a solid French drink vocabulary helps you navigate menus, order with confidence, and appreciate social customs. From everyday beverages to special occasions, these words and phrases are a key part of French life.

Flashcards (1 of 20)

English Singular: a water
English Plural: waters
English Example: I would like a water, please.

Next Up: Fruits, Vegetables

Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025