"tomar" & "beber" to drink

Question

What is the difference between "tomar" and "beber" when meaning "to drink"

Answer 1

Camarero: ¿Qué va a tomar? Yo: El plato combinado por favor. Camarero: ¿y para beber? Yo: Una caña por favor. but if you go into a bar that only sells drinks the waiter might well say ¿qué va a tomar? what will you have?

Answer 2

If you look at this site you will conclude that there exists no consensus on their usage.

beber/tomar

Answer 3

beber means literaly "to drink": Nunca bebo leche - I never drink milk.

tomar means "to have" in expressions referring to eating or drinking: Si tienes hambre, tomaste un bocadillo - If you're hungry, have a sandwich. Tomó una taza de café - I had a cup of coffee.

Answer 4

Tomar has more meanings.

From the R A E:

tomar

Comer o beber. Tomar un desayuno, el chocolate. U. t. c. prnl.