Share
For a lot of people, the first drink entails the memories of stolen bottles or taking a quick sip from the liquor cabinet while nobody was watching. Whether out of sheer curiosity or teenage rebellion, for a lot of millennials, alcohol has been a hush-hush topic. However, there comes a time when you’re waving your parents goodbye to pursue higher studies, celebrating a family occasion, or spending quality time on vacation, when dads break their character and share a drink with you.
This Father’s Day, Slurrp asked millennials about the memories of their first drinks with their dads. What must have begun with a “you’re old enough now” to their on-point one-liner advice about safe drinking, the first drink shared with a father figure tends to stick. Read on to these memorable and pivotal moments that shaped a healthy relationship with fathers and a safe one with alcohol.
Zorawar Kalra
48-year-old restaurateur, based in Delhi NCR
What’s your favourite memory of the first drink with dad?
I had my first drink at 23, just before leaving for the US to pursue my MBA. But the one I cherish most was on my father’s 60th birthday. We surprised him with a special lunch at our Bo-Tai restaurant, surrounded by his closest friends, family, and most importantly, his grandchildren.
What began as a celebratory lunch effortlessly turned into a sundowner. That day, that drink, remains the most meaningful and memorable one I’ve ever had with him. I could sense his happiness, quiet and understated, just like him—never one to wear his emotions openly. He typically stopped at one drink, but that day, he had two. That subtle gesture said it all.
What drink did you share?
It was a glass of champagne, but the drink I truly hold dear wasn’t my first—it was the one I chose for my father. Thoughtfully selected and shared on a day filled with love, it remains my life's most meaningful and memorable toast.
What was your perception of alcohol, and did it change after drinking with your dad?
My father was a teetotaler, a value that stemmed from my grandfather’s disciplined life in the army—ours was a home where alcohol was never part of the culture. I was never particularly drawn to it, and it wasn’t until age 23 that I was first introduced to it. Even then, it never became an integral part of my lifestyle. I’ve always believed that, when consumed in moderation, alcohol isn’t about indulgence—it’s about enhancing the moment.
After the first drink with my father, it didn’t drastically change my perception, but at that moment, it felt like a quiet “cheers” between father and son—a symbolic toast to the next chapter of my life. But in many ways, the experience normalised alcohol for me, not as a habit, but as a thoughtful part of celebration. I saw it as a moment enhancer that belongs to special occasions. It made me realise that, when enjoyed in moderation, it can add depth to an experience and help forge lasting memories of a particular moment.
Vedant Kedia
27-year-old CEO of Mount Everest Breweries Ltd., based in Indore
Can you describe when you had your first drink with your dad?
I was around 18 when I had my first meaningful drink with my dad. It was a quiet evening at home, just the two of us. There wasn’t a big occasion; the idea was simply to try my first drink with him. Coming from a family rooted in the alcohol beverage business, it was something I had both joked about and looked forward to once I turned 18.
Do you remember the spirit?
He poured a beer for both of us. He believed that my first introduction to alcohol should be something easygoing and light, and beer felt like the perfect place to start. I remember feeling excited and a little nervous as he poured me my first drink. The taste was fresh but bitter, something I hadn’t expected.
Before this moment, what was your perception of alcohol?
Growing up, alcohol was seen as something reserved for special occasions, enjoyed with close friends and family, or at celebrations. So, this moment felt like a rite of passage. It brought me closer to my dad and made me feel like I had entered a new adulthood phase. That moment felt like my dad saw me not just as his son, but as someone he could share more with—as a peer, in a way.
Did your dad impart any lessons about responsible drinking?
That day, my dad gave me advice that stayed with me. He said, “Drink mindfully, and only with people you trust and feel safe with.” It was a gentle nudge in the right direction that set the tone for how I approached alcohol from then on.
Name: Nicolo Morea
52-year-old co-founder of Gutsy Greek Yoghurt, based in Mumbai
Can you describe when you had your first drink with your dad?
I had my first drink with my dad when I returned from university. I was 21 at the time. We were at a pub in Bangalore. It was a casual outing, and we decided to drink together. We shared a couple of cold beers.
What was your reaction when your dad poured you this drink?
Honestly, it was, “Drink up quick so we can get to the second one!”
Do you think this moment helped normalise alcohol for you?
Not particularly. That moment didn’t normalise alcohol for me—it was just a shared occasion. But my father did advise me on something clear and simple, “Drink only if you have to—not because you feel you need to.”
Vikram Singh Kaplish
36-year-old Food & Beverage Manager at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai
What’s your favourite memory of the first drink with dad?
I was around 21, just stepping into adulthood after college. It was a quiet evening at home after a family dinner: nothing extravagant, just a calm, personal moment between father and son. We shared a neat pour of aged whisky. It was his choice, simple, classic, and full of character, just like him.
Did this experience make you feel more like an adult or closer to your dad?
Definitely. It made me feel seen, not just as a son, but as an individual. That drink brought us closer in a very quiet, grown-up way. Also, it wasn’t about the drink; it was more about the trust and unspoken bond.
Did your dad impart any lessons about responsible drinking?
He simply said, “It’s not about how much you drink, it’s about how you hold yourself when you do.” That line has stayed with me ever since.
Malvika Mulchandani
36-year-old Founder of Apero, based in Mumbai
How old were you when you had your first drink with your dad?
I was around 16 years old. It happened during a family vacation in South Africa. While it was summer back home in India, it was winter there—the air was crisp, the wind chilly, and we were still riding high from an exhilarating Big Five safari sighting. I remember having a chilled flute of champagne in hand; it was truly magical.
Do you remember the drink?
My father had brought along some of the most delightful Proseccos and bottles of Martini Asti—sweet, sparkly, and probably the best first drink one could ask for. At the end of each day, we’d sit together and watch the sunset, popping open bottles of Martini and Prosecco. He’d let me sit with the adults and enjoy a glass, which made me feel exceptional. With the bubbles in my glass came a flutter of excitement in my heart and tummy. It felt so special—I felt like an elegant young lady. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish.
Did this experience build a healthier relationship with alcohol?
In my home, alcohol was was never treated like forbidden fruit, and I’m incredibly grateful. Even today, my dad will insist I have a drink and sit with him to unwind, though I’m usually ready for bed by 9 pm! Plus, I’ll never forget what my father said, “Drink whenever you feel like it—but never drink and drive.” He also said, “If it ever feels like it’s getting too much, just chug some water and call your father.”
Neona Heredia
25-year-old Marketing Executive, Courtyard by Marriott Ranchi
How old were you when you had your first meaningful drink with your dad?
I was around 17 years old. It was during my cousin’s 21st birthday celebration, and the energy was high, and everyone was in a celebratory mood. Amidst the festivities, my dad handed me a glass of his favourite whiskey—Glenfiddich. It felt like a deeply personal gesture, almost like a quiet rite of passage.
What was your reaction when your dad poured you this drink?
I took a sip and quickly realised that whiskey wasn’t for me. But in that moment, it wasn’t really about the drink—it was about the connection. That first glass led to many heart-to-heart conversations in the years that followed. While I never developed a taste for whiskey, my dad began crafting my favourite cocktails to keep that bond and tradition alive.
What was your perception of alcohol before this moment?
Before that experience, my ideas about alcohol were primarily shaped by media and peer culture, where it was portrayed as something wild or excessive. But the approach was entirely different at home: calm, thoughtful, and rooted in moderation. Whilst sharing a drink with my dad, he often shared life lessons during those moments, which quickly became a cherished ritual.
Did this moment help normalise alcohol for you?
Yes, absolutely. It normalised alcohol not as an act of rebellion, but as something that could be enjoyed mindfully and respectfully, as part of a balanced lifestyle, especially when shared with trust and intention.
