Toasting with those two — or was it four? — glasses of Champagne at the stroke of midnight may have seemed like a good idea at the time. But waking up with a fuzzy, throbbing head and unhappy tummy is not an ideal way to greet the new year.
So we’ve compiled a list of hangover cures from Bay Area drinks professionals and enthusiasts, who swear by them. (Or perhaps they swore at them.) Of course, the only sure-fire “cure” is not to overindulge in the first place — but perhaps something on this list will help.
Before — and during — the party:
Hydrate with plenty of water — the night before and also during the party. Drink one glass of H2O for every glass of alcohol consumed. And after the party, drink 16 ounces of water and take two ibuprofen before going to sleep. A vitamin B-12 and a multivitamin might be a good idea, too.
Take B vitamins before (and after) drinking.
In France’s Provence region, locals down a spoonful of local olive oil before indulging.
Try taking one Over EZ pill with your first drink. This supplement — which includes B vitamins, chicory root, milk thistle extract, magnesium and zinc — is designed to prevent hangovers. As with many hangover cures, this product works well for some people, but not everyone.
The next day:
Drink more water.
Drink non-alcoholic beverages — an ice-cold cola, sparkling water, your favorite sports drink or DripDrop Hydration Powder, mixed with water. One bartender swears by a banana-protein shake.
Some special foods — miso soup, menudo and chilaquiles, for example, although not all at once — have hangover-curing reputations.
And many beverage professionals recommend some hair of the dog that bit you. Among the suggestions: a shot of brandy and Red Bull, which has vitamin B-12; brewers yeast and beer; a bacon-laced Bloody Mary; a Michelada; and a new cocktail called The Botanist.
Shakewell’s Michelada
At Oakland’s Shakewell, bartender Nick Stratton says, “The best hangover cures are cocktails that contain a lot of nutrients, like Bloody Marys or mimosas, to replenish the body’s energy stores.”
