We all know how to drink, right? Especially during Derby, when we all turn into a combination of marathon imbibers and drinking experts.
But, do we know how to recover? It is the given repercussion of our actions to feel less than stellar the next day. I straw-polled our readers, who enthusiastically gave me great advice on the best hangover cures. I’m not suggesting you get drunk; rather, I’m suggesting that you should read this and refer back to it in case you find you are overserved this weekend.
I’ve listed the answers below in several categories: hydrate, medicate, caffeinate, feed, sweat … and the obvious. Some are old favorites; others were new to me. But people were so passionate about their answers that they have to be worth a try.
HYDRATE
Before Bed:
- Water (obviously)
- Gatorade
- Coconut water
Day After:
- Hair of the dog (aka your choice of cocktail)
- Sprite
- Bloody Mary (most said spicy, and with horseradish)
- Coconut water
- Pedialyte
- Rooibee Red Tea
- Hookup to an IV of fluids (three people said this!)
- Gingerale
- Club Soda and Bitters
- (see Caffeinate below for more suggestions)
MEDICATE
- Ibuprofen (overwhelming winner)
- Alka-Seltzer—drink before going to bed
- Goody’s Headache Powder
- doTerra Digestzen essential oil
- Zantac and Ibuprofen—take before you start drinking
- Dramamine
- Excedrin and Benedryl taken before you go to bed
- Emergen-C
- NUUN Hydration Tabs
- A preventative hangover patch called No Mas Hangovers
- A preventative pill called HPF (Hangover Prevention Formula)
CAFFEINATE
- McDonald’s Diet Coke or regular Coke
- Starbucks venti black iced tea
- Cold can of Diet Coke poured over cubed ice in a Styrofoam cup
FEED
- Potatoes in any fashion: hash browns, French fries, potato casserole
- Big Mac or double cheeseburger of your choice
- Pho
- Toast, plain or with peanut butter
- Eggs of any fashion
- Hardee’s biscuits
- Mexican (SATCO in Nashville, in particular, works magically)
- Sushi
- Editor’s note: Anything you can keep down
SWEAT
- Hot Yoga
- Long Sweaty Run
- Steamroom
THE OBVIOUS
We had a few of these answers and they are the voice of reason:
- “Not drinking! Never a hangover! It is truly the best cure! I’m sure this isn’t the advice you are looking for, but it is great advice! Just saying.”
- “Not getting drunk. Agh! I know I’m not the only wiseacre who said that.”
MY FAVORITE ANSWERS:
- 12 hours of total darkness and sleep. A little intermittent Diet Coke, as well. (This from college roommate. Some things never change.)
- For a marathon day like a Derby/Steeplechase, you have to alternate each alcohol drink with a glass of water. (And no, a scotch and water doesn’t count.)
- A sweaty run, and it works better if you puke during the run. Demons be gone.
- A cocktail immediately upon arrival at the track.
- If you happen to be in London, you can hit the Hangover Bus for relief.
Cheers to you! And I hope that you do NOT have to use any of these methods.
