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Hello,I ordered a Paloma (the drink). I take a sip and say:"Hmm. This tastes as if they just poured in soda and left out the tequila."I didn't include an article before "soda" (I mean to say it's some soda), but I put the definite article in front of "tequila" (because I mean it's the tequila that was supposed to be there).Are these two grammatically and contextually correct as well:". . .as if they just poured in the soda and left out the tequila."(added "the" to soda)". . .as if they just poured in soda and left out tequila."(no article in either)Thank you very much.

Teechr · Accepted Answer

Anonymous". . .as if they just poured in the soda and left out the tequila."

Incorrect because "soda" isn't meant/expected to be in it.

Anonymous". . .as if they just poured in soda and left out tequila."

Incorrect because "tequila" is meant/expected to be in it.

Anonymous · Answer

Teechr, I thank you for your kind answer but I don't understand it. What do you mean, "soda isn't meant/expected" but "tequila is"? The drink combines the two . . .???

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Here is the recipe for the drink:
Combine Tequila and grapefruit juice in an ice-filled tall glass.
Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda.
Garnish with a lime slice.
Optional salt rim.

A "splash" of soda means that soda is not a main ingredient.

Anonymous · Answer

But soda is still an ingredient. Someone who says this has to choose an article quickly, there's no time to determine if soda is a main ingredient or not really . . . There has to be another answer somewhere.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Anonymousif soda is a main ingredient or not really

If the drink is supposed to be alcoholic, soda doesn't cut the mustard.
Tequila does.

Anonymous There has to be another answer somewhere.

Another answer for what?

Tequila is the only ingredient that contains alcohol. Without tequila, it's just a Shirley Temple.
So leaving out the tequila would really be a major goof-up on the part of the barkeep.

Anonymous · Answer

AlpheccaStarsAnother answer for what?Tequila is the only ingredient that contains alcohol. Without tequila, it's just a Shirley Temple.So leaving out the tequila would really be a major goof-up on the part of the barkeep.

Yes. But leaving out the soda would leave you with a glass of tequila and not a Paloma. You need both.

My question was very simple: why no definite article before "soda" and the definite article before "gin" is the only one that's correct. Since you need both to make a Paloma. And I still don't understand why that is the case, that's all.

Rover_KE · Answer

You're mixing your drinks and getting confused with this thread.

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