When you reach for the ibuprofen and antacids, but they just won’t do the trick, it’s time to take a different approach. A hangover is an ailment that seems impossible to cure, especially when you’re attempting to stifle a pounding headache, settle your stomach, and push memories of last night’s tequila shots into the distant past.
Experts agree that the only true cure for a hangover is to drink alcohol in moderation. However, that’s not what you want to hear on a painful Sunday morning after a big night out. These four hangover drink recipes will help you kick your symptoms to the curb, so you can stop telling all of your friends that you’re, “Never drinking again.”
Ginger Tea
Coffee will further dehydrate you after a long night out, so reach for a warm tea instead. Ginger tea offers anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties that can help ease your lightheadedness and upset stomach.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
Preparation instructions:
- Grate the fresh ginger or slice it as thinly as possible. If slicing, use an additional tablespoon.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the ginger and remove the hot water from the heat.
- Let the tea steep for 10 minutes, then strain the ginger. Stir in the lemon juice and honey before serving.
The Mexican Michelada
The Michelada is a hangover cure straight from Mexico. It’s similar to a Bloody Mary, but the Michelada allows beer to substitute for vodka. If you need a hair-of-the-dog cocktail to cure what ails you, this spicy cocktail will help you get back on the horse.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chilled Mexican lager
- 2 ounces chilled Clamato
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (Tabasco)
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt
- 2 dashes Maggi Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Lime wedges (for garnish)
- Ice
Mixing instructions:
- On a small plate, mix the chili powder and Kosher salt together. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, then dip the rim into the salt and chili mixture.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour the Clamato, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice and Maggi Seasoning into the pint glass. Stir thoroughly.
- Pour the can of beer into the glass to taste, then garnish it with a lime wedge.
Matcha Coconut Water
Experts suggest that alcohol only temporarily relieves the symptoms of a hangover, so it’s best to stick with non-alcoholic drinks for more long-term effects. This matcha coconut water provides electrolytes and salt to help you rehydrate and a touch of caffeine to cure your headache.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces coconut water
- 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder
- A pinch of sea salt
Preparation instructions:
- Stir 8 ounces of coconut water and a teaspoon of matcha green tea powder together in a tall glass.
- Add a pinch of sea salt, stir thoroughly and relax as your hangover rinses away.
Electric Current Fizz
The Electric Current Fizz is equipped with the Vitamin C, Vitamin B and protein your body needs to fight off the most painful hangover symptoms. The shot of dry gin adds the hair-of-the-dog appeal that many ailing party animals need for immediate results.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
- 1 egg white, reserve the egg yolk on a half shell
- 1/2 lemon (juiced)
- 2 ounces London dry gin
- Seltzer as needed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vinegar to taste
Mixing instructions:
- Vigorously shake all of the above ingredients together with ice.
- Strain the powdered sugar, egg white, lemon juice and dry gin into a tall glass.
- Top the glass with seltzer.
- Season the yolk with salt, pepper and vinegar.
- Swallow the seasoned egg yolk like an oyster, then take a big gulp of the seltzer drink. Drink the remainder of the fizz while effervescent.
Featured photo credit: whitney dumford via flickr.com
