It's unfortunate most people need drinks to say what they mean. That doesn't have to be the case. For better or worse, my partners tend to be people who need to try hard to not say what they think.
It's not a matter of needing drinks to say what you mean, it's a matter of lowering someone's inhibitions to see what they really get excited about.
You say what you mean with people that you have some bond with. Drinking together, even just one or two beers, can help build that bond. You could also build that bond by playing soccer, and talking afterwards.