Poems about Drinks

The topic of drinks in this poem can be connected to the tradition of the 'Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup,' who, while considered likable eccentrics, were known for their exceptional indulgence in alcohol; the wine party in the poem reflects an atmosphere of sociability and camaraderie. Drinks become a symbolic and transformative element, linking the poet to a realm where the ordinary is transcended in pursuit of artistic and spiritual inspiration.

It was at a wine party—

I lay in a drowse, knowing it not.

The blown flowers fell and filled my lap.

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Before The Cask of Wine

by Li Bai

‘Before The Cask of Wine’ is a beautiful lyric that emphasizes enjoying one’s youthful hours to the fullest. As one can’t savor those moments in old age.

Drinking is a recurring motif in Li Bai's poetry. He often wrote about the joys of drinking and the camaraderie that comes with it. In 'Before The Cask of Wine,' Li Bai uses the image of a golden bowl of wine to represent the fleeting nature of life and the joys of celebration.

The spring wind comes from the east and quickly passes,

Leaving faint ripples in the wine of the golden bowl.

The flowers fall, flake after flake, myriads together.

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Country Lover

by Maya Angelou

‘Country Lover’ by Maya Angelou is a blues-inspired poem that uses the rhythm of music to depict a country dance scene.

The mention of red soda water adds more than just color to the scene. This type of drink is often served during Juneteenth celebrations, honoring the end of slavery in the United States. Angelou does not explain this directly, but the detail speaks for itself. The red drink becomes a quiet symbol of remembrance and celebration. It helps place the poem in a specific moment while also adding warmth and tradition to the setting.

Funky blues

Keen toed shoes

High water pants

Saddy night dance

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Alcohol

by Franz Wright

‘Alcohol’ by Franz Wright is a moving poem that explores the complexities of addiction. It’s told from the perspective of alcohol, addressing someone who is addicted to the substance.

As its title suggests, 'Alcohol' is a poem about drinks, specifically the alcoholic drinks that the speaker has struggled with. The poem suggests that drinks can be both a source of pleasure and a source of pain and that they can have a powerful impact on our physical and emotional well-being.

You do look a little ill.

But we can do something about that, now.

Can’t we.

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Be Drunk

by Charles Baudelaire

‘Be Drunk’ by Charles Baudelaire is a stirring poem meant to incite the reader to passion about life.

Baudelaire's poem might be considered an ode to drinking and being merry. After all, the speaker does advocate for literal drinking, though they do so with the intention of inspiring one's enjoyment of life rather than for drunken numbness. The speaker chooses to only focus on the positive effects of such acts, and because they liken it to poetry, it can be assumed they don't view it as a pitfall of moral dubiousness.

You have to be always drunk. That's all there is to it—it's the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.

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Under the Waterfall

by Thomas Hardy

‘Under the Waterfall’ is a nostalgic poem where plunging into water revives memories of lost love and an enduring symbol – a glass.

Although only mentioned once, the drink plays a meaningful role. The speaker and her lover drank from the same glass, making it a symbol of connection. When the glass is lost, it turns into something more than just an object. It becomes tied to the memory of that shared drink and moment. This simple part of the picnic adds emotional weight to the story and helps explain why that small object mattered so much.

'Whenever I plunge my arm, like this,

In a basin of water, I never miss

The sweet sharp sense of a fugitive day

Fetched back from its thickening shroud of gray.

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Alone

by Edgar Allan Poe

‘Alone’ by Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates the poet’s best verse. Here, the tormented mind of the literary genius is unveiled and readers get a glimpse into his abrupt and troubled life.

Poe struggled all his life with alcoholism associated with his depression, this is something that readers might sense within the lines of this turbulent poem. Plus, the fact that his young wife died of tuberculosis at an early age, only compounded this problem.

From childhood’s hour I have not been

As others were—I have not seen

As others saw—I could not bring

My passions from a common spring—

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The Instruction Manual

by John Ashbery

‘The Instruction Manual’ by John Ashbery is poem that is constructed to express the struggles of a creative thinker in a factual, mundane task.

One detail in the dream shows women serving green and yellow fruit from a booth, and later, a woman in a blue dress is seen dispensing drinks. This moment is small but adds a sense of life and comfort to the imagined city. It shows how the speaker pays attention to everyday pleasures in this daydream. The idea of enjoying a drink in the sun gives the scene a calm, relaxing feel that contrasts with his real surroundings.

As I sit looking out of a window of the building

I wish I did not have to write the instruction manual on the uses of a new metal.

I look down into the street and see people, each walkThis poem does not follow any fixed pattern of

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I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed

by Emily Dickinson

‘I tasted a liquor never brewed’ by Emily Dickinson celebrates life. The poet uses natural imagery, such as that of berries, and pearls, to depict it.

I taste a liquor never brewed –

From Tankards scooped in Pearl –

Not all the Frankfort Berries

Yield such an Alcohol!

10 Must-Read Poems about Drinks

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10 Must-Read Poems about Drinks

by Li Bai

by Li Bai

by Li Bai

by Maya Angelou

by Franz Wright

by Charles Baudelaire

by Thomas Hardy

by Edgar Allan Poe

by John Ashbery

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