It takes practice and not a small amount on intent.
Raw oysters, when mixed with hot sauce and a small amount of booze, makes for a splendid aperitif. What the flarn flarn filth do you know from seafood, Texan?
A gin tonic is a noble drink. Crisp, clean, and just what you need to cleanse the palate from the taste of failure.
Vodka tonics have their time and place, but they are no replacement for a good gin tonic. After all, gin make a man mean-- and sometimes you need to be mean... at least for a short while.
Never let anyone fool you into believing that your sauerkraut needs juniper berries. Caraway seeds, potatoes, and a bit of pork shoulder make the kraut in my opinion. That's the eastern style of kraut, and, for my money, the only style.