10 Hangover Cures From Around the World
This New Year’s Eve, it’s estimated Americans will consume more than 360 million glasses of Champagne as the ball drops. No surprise, then, that the drunkest annual holiday directly precedes the country’s biggest collective hangover.
And when you wake up on the first of January with a throbbing head, chances are you won’t be waddling your way to the gym like you promised yourself you would. The odds of reaching your resolution will recede rapidly, from slim to none — and you’re not even 24 hours into the New Year.
There is hope, however. Take it from the experts. Bar industry professionals know that even the most stubborn of hangovers can be circumvented by following a few trusted measures. Below they share their tricks of the trade, helping you head into 2018 feeling fresh and ready to tackle that early morning SoulCycle session. Happy New Year, indeed.
Aaron Polsky, Brand Ambassador, Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirit, Los Angeles, California
“Pacing yourself before dinner is a great way to mitigate your hangover. A Seedlip Spice and tonic [a non-alcoholic cocktail featuring a two-to-one ratio of tonic to Seedlip, served over ice, with grapefruit garnish] is a festive adult drink that allows you to participate without imbibing on that round. Also watch the sugar intake — that’s a huge multiplier for hangovers.”
António Saldanha de Oliveira, Beverage Manager, NIMB Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark
“In Portugal, we have this thing we call ‘soup of the tired horse.’ This is an extremely old recipe and is usually served first thing in the morning to the farmers and constructors to boost energy in the morning, or as a hangover cure to food and alcohol feasts. It mixes a generous dose of bold red wine or Port wine (normally a young wine harvested in the previous year), sugar, three raw eggs and old bread crumbs. Beat the eggs together with the wine and sugar, add the bread crumbs and let them soak until softened.
I actually believe it works cause the wine will cool down our body’s need for more alcohol (that's what the hangover is all about), the eggs will bring the proteins, calories and healthy fats that you need to restore your levels, the sugar will bring the calories you need to boost your energy levels and the bread crumbs will soak all of it and ... you'll be able to process this ‘cure’ more effectively.”
Kat Odell, Author, Day Drinking, New York City
“I’ve hacked a whole hangover prevention routine. I take two activated charcoal pills before I drink. When I get home and before going to bed I take two more, along with glutathione, a supplement but also an antioxidant that your body naturally produces. One of the major reasons people become hungover is because their levels of glutathione are depleted after a night of copious alcohol consumption. So, by taking glutathione, you’re replenishing what has been lost. I’ve tried this method out on several friends and it has worked for them as well.”
Tim Herlihy, Brand Ambassador, Tullamore DEW, USA (by way of Ireland)
“It's a bit cliched, but a full Irish Breakfast — complete with black and white pudding, a runny egg, paired with a strong Irish Coffee. It contains the four major food groups: alcohol, sugar, caffeine and fat. A combination of grease, salts and fats boost your protein and vitamin B and D levels. It's home-cooked, hearty fare designed to kickstart your day. I guess.”
Cooper Cheatham, Director of Culture, Freehand Hotel, New York City
“A couple of options: Take a multivitamin before bed. Go for a run as soon as you wake up. You usually have a 30-45 minute grace period before the death hangover sets in, so if you get up, get your blood flowing, you can sweat out some of last night's bad decisions and the endorphins will make you feel better. An Aperol Spritz always makes everything better.”
Juan Mayorga, GM, Cervecería del Valle Sagrado, Urubamba, Peru
“Caldo de cabeza: Sheeps' head soup. It’s full of healing goodness. The ladies at the markets in Peru make soup from all the parts .... You can get the eyes, the head, stomach. I swear they end up using all parts. It’s nutritional and great for a hangover.
Myjungju Lee, Nightlife Enthusiast, Seoul, South Korea
“As a Korean, my favorite hangover cure is yukgaejang (spicy beef soup). It has hearty long-simmered beef and noodles to give strength and scallions, onions and other vegetables for flavor. With lots of spice, it energizes and helps sweat out the alcohol. After a night of lots of soju or beer, it is the perfect pick-me-up the next morning, especially during the holiday season. Combined with a visit to a sauna, it’s a quintessential Korean ritual after overindulging.”
Joel Caruso, Bar Manager, Bar Mateo, Los Angeles, California
“Egg yolk and coffee with butter and honey. Seriously. Short, strong coffee or espresso with butter melted at the bottom and a touch of honey, then sink the yolk and slam it in one gulp. Butter delivers the caffeine to your system, protein and fat from the yolk and butter help for sustenance cause you can’t really eat, but also help act as a delivery agent for caffeine. The honey is also a vehicle for making nutrients absorb into the body better. I have these powdered mushrooms I add to it but they’re not easy to come by — reishi and cordyceps are good.”
Jackie Summers, Creator, Sorel Artisanal Liqueur, Brooklyn, New York
“Ginger tea. Half a lemon, big piece of fresh ginger sliced. Boil in a saucepan. Dash of honey for taste, dash of cayenne. Water for dehydration, ginger for digestion, lemon for electrolytes, cayenne to move everything through your system. Eat a banana with this for potassium replacement. Repeat all day as necessary. It all sounds basic but this has been around for thousands of years.”
Ross Simon, Proprietor, Bitter & Twisted, Phoenix, Arizona
“Sadly, there is no real ‘cure.' They really are all just BS. Biggest advise alternative: For every cocktail or beverage had, have one glass of water to compensate. It works and is more of a common sense survival technique. But people just get drunk and forget to do it.”
Feature photo by Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury/Getty Images
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.