Asking for the Drinks Menu

★★★★★ Ordering Drinks

Asking for the Drinks Menu

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to ask for the drinks menu and beverages with clarity, control, and confidence.

🎯 Level: Beginner, Intermediate ⏱ Time: 10–25 minutes 📘 Category: Speaking, Real-Life English

🎯 What you'll learn

1
How to ask for the drink menu politely
2
How to use modal verbs (could, may, can)
3
How to speak more formally when needed
4
How to request specific drinks
5
How to clarify where drinks are listed

🧠 Practice Exercises

Think of your answer first, then click to reveal!

You’re ready to order drinks but don’t have the menu. What do you say?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
"Could we see the drink menu, please?" or "May I have the drink menu, please?"

You’re in a formal restaurant and want to sound more polite. What do you say?
▼ Reveal
"Could we please see the beverage list?" or "Would you mind bringing us the drink menu, please?"

You only want to see wine options. What do you say?
▼ Reveal
"May we have the wine list, please?" or "Could I see your wine list, please?"

You’re interested in cocktails specifically. What do you say?
▼ Reveal
"Do you have a cocktail menu?"

You’re not sure if drinks are on a separate menu. What do you say?
▼ Reveal
"Do you have a separate drink menu, or are they on the main menu?"

You want a specific type of drink, like beer or cocktails. What do you say?
▼ Reveal
""What kind of beers do you have?" or "Do you have a cocktail menu?""

🗝️ Key Words

Word Meaning Example
Drink menu List of available drinks "Could we see the drink menu, please?"
Beverage A drink "Do you have a beverage list?"
Wine list Menu of wines "May I see the wine list?"
Cocktail Mixed alcoholic drink "Do you have a cocktail menu?"
Server Person who takes orders "Excuse me, could you help us?"
Order Request food or drinks "We’re ready to order drinks."
Menu List of food and drinks "Are drinks on the main menu?"
Separate Not together "Is there a separate drink menu?"
Local beer Beer made nearby "What local beers do you have?"
Request Ask for something "I’d like to request the drink menu."
Polite Showing good manners "It’s polite to say please."
Formal More professional style "Use formal language in nice restaurants."
Available Something you can get "What drinks are available?"
Bring Carry something to someone "Could you bring the drink menu?"
Choice Option to choose "There are many drink choices."

🎧 Listening

Listen to 4 conversations of people ordering drinks in a restaurant. After listening, answer the questions below.


4 Dialogues
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

Dialogue 1: Asking for the Drink Menu
Waiter: Hello! Can I get you something to drink?
Customer: Hi, could I see the drink menu, please?
Waiter: Of course, here you go.
Customer: Thank you. Do you have fresh juices?
Waiter: Yes, we have orange, pineapple, and green juice.
Customer: I’ll have an orange juice, please.
Waiter: Great choice. I’ll be right back.
Dialogue 2: Ordering Specific Drinks
Waiter: Are you ready to order a drink?
Customer: Yes, what kind of local beers do you have?
Waiter: We have a light lager and a dark ale.
Customer: I’ll try the lager.
Waiter: Sounds good. Anything else?
Customer: No, that’s all for now.
Waiter: I’ll bring that right out.
Dialogue 3: Formal Setting
Waiter: Good evening. May I offer you something to drink?
Customer: Good evening. Could I please see the beverage list?
Waiter: Certainly. Here is our selection.
Customer: Thank you. Could you recommend a white wine?
Waiter: I suggest the house Chardonnay.
Customer: I’ll have a glass, please.
Waiter: Excellent choice.
Dialogue 4: Clarifying the Menu
Waiter: Hi there! Can I get you something to drink?
Customer: Do you have a separate drink menu, or is it on the main menu?
Waiter: It’s on the last page of the main menu.
Customer: Got it, thanks. What soft drinks do you have?
Waiter: We have soda, iced tea, and lemonade.
Customer: I’ll have an iced tea, please.
Waiter: Coming right up.
❓ Answer the questions. Think of your answers first, then click to check!

Dialogue 1 – What does the customer ask for first?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
A drink menu
Dialogue 1 – What drink does the customer order?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
An orange juice

Dialogue 2 – What type of drink is the customer interested in?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
Local beers
Dialogue 2 – What does the customer choose?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
A lager

Dialogue 3 – What does the customer ask to see?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
The beverage list
Dialogue 3 – What does the customer order?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
A glass of white wine

Dialogue 4 – What does the customer ask about the menu?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
If there is a separate drink menu
Dialogue 4 – What drink does the customer order?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
An iced tea

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📝 Summary

1
Use polite modal verbs like could or may when requesting menus.
2
Add please to every request to ensure a courteous tone.
3
Use formal terms like beverage list in upscale dining environments
4
Be specific about drink types to receive relevant information faster.
5
Clarify if drinks are on the main menu to avoid confusion.

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Asking for the Drinks Menu © 2026 by Joe Ehman is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International.