Now that I think, one thing I don't quite understand is how do anime characters not taste the difference between their smooth tea and bitter, hard taste of alcohol, that shit is NOT subtle even in mixed drinks, especially for people who never drink. Even if you're a lightweight, after the 1st sip you'd be like bruh. Not drink more until you pass out lol
I guess it may depend on the person. I used to have no real problem with the taste of alcohol myself until the one time I truly got drunk, after which it's been exactly as you described, I can feel the bitterness so strongly I hardly ever drink anymore. A lot of people I've talked to can't even understand what I mean by that bitter taste, though, thinking I just exaggerate.
I mean, not just tolerance with alcohol but just the fact that it tastes noticeably distinct from something you're expecting to taste. If you order water and they give you sparkling water, you'd notice immediately because of the carbonation and be like hey, this probably isn't my drink, not just keep drinking, oblivious and being like I guess water always felt this angry in my mouth. There isn't many drinks that can be confused with the distinct taste of alcohol that you unknowingly get drunk, especially not tea.