It is New Year’s Day, and many people are just waking up (but some will probably sleep until it gets dark outside) with hangovers. I have heard many people say “I can handle my liquor” only to see them in agony the following morning. This started back in college when I noted those who thought they could “handle” their drinking ended up with the worst hangovers.
I’ll never forget what one of my old buddies said about hangovers: “I gauge how much of a good time I had by the hangover I get. Since I can’t remember much of what I did, I know I had a blast by the severity of my condition.”
Well, this was a convoluted kind of thinking, but he did have a point I suppose. The worst hangover I ever had (I think I may have had three or four in my entire life) was after my friend’s wedding. I was sick for two days and nothing I tried worked.
That was twenty years ago, and since then I’ve learned some home recipes for hangover cures that I wish I knew back then. Anyway, I share with you ones I’ve learned over the years. I am sure there are more and hope you will let me know about them in your comments.
Cure 1: raw egg, milk, orange juice, and teaspoon of honey Note: I have tried this and it doesn’t taste so bad. It works better if you put it in a shaker or blender to get rid of that taste of raw egg.
Cure 2: pickles, peanut butter, and chocolate ice cream (mixed up)
Note: Never tried this, but a friend told me he got the idea when his wife was pregnant. He swears it works.
Cure 3: fried egg, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, and bacon on white bread
Note: Perhaps a tasty sandwich, but I don’t know about it working as a cure.
Cure 4: shot of liquor (whatever it was you last had) dropped into 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of orange juice (supposed to drink it down all at once)
Note: Never tried it; doesn’t sound so bad.
Cure 5: a bottle of Weisse beer, one cold sausage link, and a piece of white bread
Note: This is a German friend’s cure; he says the yeast in the beer is strong and mixes with the other stuff to great effect.
Cure 6: 2 ounces thousand island dressing, 1 teaspoon horseradish, 1 clove of garlic (supposed to blend all together and take quickly)
Note: This comes from a friend who is a chef. He’s a fine cook, but I think I’ll pass on this recipe.
Cure 7: raw chopped meat mixed with ketchup and onions (washed down with a pint of beer)
Note: This comes from an Irish friend who is still living. I guess that says it all.
Cure 9: spoonful of soy sauce, ounce of olive oil, spoonful of ketchup, ounce of red wine vinegar (shaken or blended; drink down quickly)
Note: This is one from a friend who is a bartender; he must know what he is doing, but I’m not going to try it.
Cure 10: pig’s feet chopped up, one raw egg, drizzled with pickle juice
Note: You may have guessed this came from my German friend again. He says to only try this when all else fails. I suppose you would have to be quite desperate.
Cure 11: yogurt, cherry tomatoes, and spoonful of mustard
Note: An old girlfriend taught me this one; it’s honestly not why we broke up.
And finally, Grandpa’s recipe: boiled water, 2 shots of whiskey, teaspoon of honey, teaspoon of white vinegar
Note: Pour the water into a large coffee mug, mix in the other stuff, drink while hot, then jump under heavy blankets.
* I tried this one and it really works. I slept for hours and woke all sweaty and without a smidge of discomfort.
I don’t advocate any of these concoctions. As part of my new year’s resolution to do more sharing (actually my four year old needs to do this, so I promised to make it my resolution too) I am revealing these for the first time. I hope they work; I’m just glad I have no reason to try any of them today.
Happy 2006 to all!