Hangover Cures to Kick Off the New Year Headache Free

My Dad, a man who could really hold his liquor, used to call New Year’s Eve “Amateur Night”. Since I sadly did not inherit his wooden leg, I have spent more than my fair share of January firsts feeling less than ideal. You know the symptoms — achey head, queasy stomach, shaky hands. But since there are actually certain advantages to age, I have picked up a few tricks through the years to keep the dreaded hangover at bay.

The 1:1 Ratio

This one is super simple and seriously effective. For every alcoholic beverage consumed, drink one glass of water. Not only will this keep you from dancing the tango with a lampshade on your head (well, that is unless you want to), but it will also combat the dehydrating effect of alcohol which is one of the main causes of a hangover.

5-12 Raw Almonds

Native Americans claim that if you eat 6-12 raw almonds before drinking, it will help protect your body from intoxication. My friend Nancy, who grew up in Vegas so I trust her a little bit more on this kind of thing, swears by eating 5 raw almonds before going to bed. Personally, I say do both. I mean why not hedge your bets, right?

Eat Protein

One of the main reasons that many of us ring in the new year in less than ideal form is that we wind up at cocktail parties where we nibble, but don’t really eat a meal. If you are going to be drinking, it is really important to eat protein. It will line your stomach, keeping it irritation free, while also stabilizing your blood sugar. A real win win as far as I’m concerned.

Choose Your Poison

“Beer before liquor, never sicker.” Ah, but what if you drink wine? Personally, I find that mixing a lot of different alcoholic beverages is a recipe for disaster. And if I get to the point where a Stinger, Courvoisier or Drambuie sounds like a good idea, I should have been in bed hours ago. Typically, if I pick my poison and stick with it, I am a whole lot happier the next day.

Ramos Fizz

The first time I ever heard of the morning after Ramos Fizz cure was in the movie “High Society”. When all else fails, this classic “hair of the dog that bit you” might just do the trick:

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin — London dry gin
• 1 ounce heavy cream
• 1 egg whites
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 2 teaspoons superfine sugar
• 2 to 3 drops orange flower water

Instructions:

Combine in a chilled cocktail shaker with plenty of cracked ice, then shake viciously for at least one minute — preferably two — and strain into a chilled Collins glass. Top up with cold seltzer or club soda.

However you choose to ring in the New Year, may it be full of love, laughter and friendship. Happy New Year!!