Was just taking the quiz on this site and when it asked how C. likes his coffee I answered "Black with sugar", since this is what I heard last night in a rerun of the last episode "Columbo Likes the Nightlife".

When C. first appears on the scene, the police officer asks him how he would like his coffee and he distinctly says: "Black with two sugars."

What was the quiz's answer? Black?

I think the quiz was possibly written up prior to the airing of "Night Life". That would explain the discrepancy. A person's tastes change as they get older, I suppose!

In "Try And Catch Me" Columbo tells Abigail Mitchell "black with 3 sugars".

Yes, I thought of that. But that was tea.

You're right Noll, I remember now, LoL.

Nice avatar, Mitch

For a guy who eats chili every day of his life, Columbo drinks an impressive variety of beverages, including different formulations of coffee. In fact, it seems he hardly ever drinks the same thing twice. Here's the lowdown:


"I'll drink anything." (Publish Or Perish)

We have seen him drink the following:

SOFT DRINKS

Cream soda: "Deadly state of mind", again in "RIP, Mrs Columbo" -- then in "Strange Bedfellows" he tells mob chieftain Rod Steiger, "I'm a cream soda kind of guy,...and you're not")

Ginger ale - "Now You See Him"

Would love some hot chocolate ("How To Dial A Murder")

Iced tea (with chili in fancy restaurant) - "Publish Or Perish"


Sparkling mineral water? "No thanks, just seltzer!" ("Publish Or Perish")

Root beer ("Murder In Malibu")

********************

COFFEE

Sometimes he carries a big green/plaid coffee thermos ("Exercise In Fatality")

When he's trying to lose weight, he takes his coffee black ("Deadly State of Mind")

He also takes black coffee with his chili in "Dead Weight," and in "RIP, Mrs Columbo" he says he likes his coffee "hot, strong and black,...none of that de-caf stuff!"

But he takes tea with three (3) sugars in "Try And Catch Me". And with two(2) sugars in “Columbo Likes The Nightlife.”

And in "Uneasy Lies The Crown" he takes his coffee with "a touch of cream".

******

ALCOHOL

Drinks beer ("The Conspirators")-- altho' he once gave it up (as well as chili and cigars) on a health kick - "An Exercise In Fatality"

He appreciates a good sherry ("Grand Deceptions")

In Friend in Deed - Columbo asks for Scotch for a drink from the bar. Scotch is also what the William Harrington novels have him drinking.

In "Prescription: Murder," he takes bourbon

"Identity Crisis" - Columbo drinks red wine in this one

Great summary Ted. He had a glass of red wine too in How to Dial a Murder.

...and he sipped water in 'a stitch in crime'.

In columbo likes night life he is drinking coffee with 2 sugars not tea

He also drank wine in
Any Old Port in a Storm

And Columbo asks for a "drop of bourbon" at Franklin's invitation.

Fun thread.

He also drinks root beer in the airport lounge in "Ransom for a Dead Man."

He asks for coffee in "Lady in Waiting," but I can't remember how he drinks it.

These are all great! I will add these "Columbo beverage sightings" to my collection. Thanks to all who followed-up. I am impressed!

As to the Quiz, it was written by a good fan, and we ran it "as is," although I agree this item was open to debate, obviously.

Just thinking, did he have a drink with those medical buddies of Dr Collier when he gatecrashed their party? Can't remember?

yes, rob. ted posted it above that he had a cream soda.

And I get my kicks citing Old-Fashioned Murder once again, by saying that on two occasions the lieutenant shared camomile tea with Ruth.
And another liquid (we don't know what) during the scene when she mentions the disappearance of an artefact.

He also drank carrot juice in 'An Exercise In Fatality,' having mistaken it for orange juice.