It’s safe to assume that most drinkers, at some point in their lives, have entered an online search containing the words: ‘how to cure a hangover’. If they’re lucky, some recognize the impending hangover the night of and initiate a solution before the following day’s doom. Most hangover cures, however, are sought out the next morning upon waking up and instantly feeling the pain from the effects of the previous night.
After a night of too many wines, spirits or everything in between, most people have their go-to remedy to help the symptoms subside. Most websites offer a combination of coffee, green juices, or a concoction of painkillers. But we wanted more solid, tried and true advice. We turned to the SOMM TV cast who deal with alcohol as part of their career. If anyone has a great cure for a hangover, it’s them!
So, we asked and here’s what we heard:
Some combination of water/gatorade/more sleep/bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich/Aleve/really cold ginger ale or some other soda. —Jill Zimorski
By not getting drunk. —DLynn Proctor
I’m in my thirties, so there is no such thing as a cure for my hangover. I live with the terrible decisions I made the night before by suffering for the next day and a half with absolutely no remedy. Sometimes a Bloody Mary does help, though – hair of the dog, am I right? —Claire Coppi
Step one: don’t get hungover. Next: fire up a joint. Finally: take a nip of Fernet Branca. Bob’s your uncle. —Matthew Kaner
Time and anxiety. —Kelli White
A hangover is a perfect time to lie in bed contemplating the worst decisions ever. Drink water. Alternate between sparkling (to calm the stomach) and still (to hydrate the body). If you have a fainting couch, that is the ideal place to live out the moment’s drama. Let the hangover fully take over through the morning and into the afternoon. If you are determined to beat it, go for a hike (again, with plenty of water). When possible, though, I prefer to sink entirely into the discomfort and ruin my whole day instead. It’s the only way to make the revelry of drinking feel like an accomplishment instead of just a party. —Elaine Chukan Brown
Here’s a trick I picked up from a pharmacist in Toronto. Before heading to bed — especially after one of those nights where the bottle count equals the body count — take two aspirin and a Dramamine (the motion sickness med) with a big glass of water. The aspirin does its thing, while the Dramamine helps with a restful night of sleep without tossing and turning. In the morning, you are truly restored, and the tranquil night of sleep gives your liver a fighting chance at cleaning out that one last bottle you ‘just had to open’. Pro tip: Break the Dramamine in half if the full dose makes you drowsy in the morning. —Jonah Beer
A very hot shower, massive amounts of mint tea, and sparkling water. And an extra large order of McDonald’s french fries. I’m not sorry about it. But now that I have a puppy, movement is a necessity. It dragging me around the neighborhood multiple times a day actually helps dissipate the fog pretty quickly. —Sarah Thomas
Lots of water, some aspirin and bacon & eggs. —Jeff Porter
By not drinking too much! But I know that’s not always how it happens. I’m a believer in vitamin B12 for a comeback. So, I’m reaching for fermented foods like kimchi or miso with my fried eggs. That or a perfectly toasted ‘everything’ bagel with cream cheese. —Maryam Ahmed
I try to avoid hangovers at all costs! Alternating water with wine and spitting is a must. If I’veoverindulgedd, my list of hangover cures includes a combination of fresh green juice, an easy hike, B vitamins, Phở and Advil. If I know I’m going down and there is no hope, I scrap that list, go for a pimento cheese breakfast sandwich and accept my fate. —Meghan Zobeck
Go back to sleep. —Sabato Sagaria
