Ask a Bartender: Six Hangover Cures from Worcester Bartenders

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Pam Martin, GoLocalWorcester Ask A Bartender Columnist

There is no cure, but there are a few ways to prevent or alleviate the severe effects of a long day and/or night of drinking. We asked other Worcester bartenders to weigh in, and no matter what you try, everyone admits you will still have to suffer a little the next day. Here are some of the most common proven approaches to aiding a hangover. Similar to how many people approach drinking, why try just one of these? I recommend trying any combination of some or all of these tips.

Hydrate

Sucking down one ice water before you leave the bar does not count. An hour or so before you retire from a night of drinking, start chugging down water. All that alcohol has just dehydrated you, which leads to those unbearable headaches the next day, in addition to many other hangover symptoms. I like to load my ice water with lemons. Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and a long list of other important nutrients that you spent a Saturday night depleting your body of. A diluted lemon-lime Gatorade is another crowd-favorite.

Pickle juice is a less appetizing way to hydrate. Almost as salty as a large order of fries, but without the grease or judgmental look from the McDonald’s overnight staff. Pickle juice is loaded with sodium, which replenishes your dehydrated body.

Rescue Your Stomach

Maybe you didn’t read last week’s column—unlikely, I’m sure. If you did, you should go back and check out the top five places to eat after the bars close. There are those medical professionals who will argue that greasy food doesn’t help you, so this could just be a mind trick, but eating something before bed seems to help. A bartender favorite is Taco Bell. Joe Abramoff suggests an order of the regular crunchy tacos. “Keep it grimy. Two or three packets of fire sauce per taco.” You can get more dietary advice from Joe at The Boynton during lunch on Fridays, as well as Saturday and Sunday nights. If you simply cannot stay awake for the drive-thru, then absolutely eat as soon as you wake up. “Potato skins, burgers, and Bloodys,” is Aleah Oriol’s go to. And she happily serves them at Jimmy’s Tavern Wednesday through Saturday.

Aspirin

Taking two aspirin before bed is a proven remedy to alleviate a hangover. While some people think it’s only used for headaches and to help with the soreness from trying to prove you just have what it takes to be Beyoncé’s backup dancer, there actually more to it. Drinking alters your body’s secretion of prostaglandin, which is also triggered when you are sick of injured. There are many variations of prostaglandin, but the effects related to hangovers include headaches and inflammation. Aspirin has prostaglandin inhibitors, therefore a logical hangover fix. Of course, if you think it’ll take an army to cure your hangover Tara Letourneau, bartender at the Compass Tavern, will tell you “Take two aspiring, a lot of water, and have a beer in the morning. Works every time!” You can visit Tara on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Wednesday night to test this theory if you don’t believe it.

Hair of the Dog

Whether it is a beer, a White Russian, or just a Screwdriver, a dose of alcohol the next day eases your pain. Your body is going through withdrawals—yes, it happens that quickly—so replacing some of the liquor in your system helps transition back to sobriety. It’s a great excuse to venture out for brunch the next morning. My favorite brunch drink recommendation for those with a hangover is to add grapefruit vodka to the classic mimosa. It really makes a difference. Or, skip the champagne and enjoy the Absolute Ruby Red Vodka with orange or pineapple juice.

Sweat it Out

Crawling out of bed, lacing up your running shoes, and heading for a jog might sound painful, and it probably will be, but it is another tested and true relief for the common hangover. I’d recommend keeping your workout indoors, not only because sunlight will be painfully bright, even on a foggy day, but also so you can hide your own agony from the neighbors. Gyms also have gentler lighting, and air conditioning. You’ve just polluted your body, and bartenders everywhere thank you for that, but now you need to get rid of those toxins. Get out there and break a sweat—after you’ve hydrated, of course.

Sleep

If you didn’t pay attention to those informative health classes in high school or college, you missed the part about how alcohol affects your sleep. Alcohol inhibits your body’s production of glutamine, which is a stimulant that keeps you awake. When you stop drinking, your body reacts by over-producing that stimulant, preventing you from reaching a deep sleep. It also causes stomach irritation, therefore waking you up for a quick trip, or all night stay on the bathroom floor. How convenient. When you wake up from your shallow sleep, get some water, grab some toast, and find a Law & Order: SVU marathon to fall asleep to.

Pam Martin bartends at Compass Tavern at 90 Harding Street in Worcester every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.