Bender’s errors

When yesterday’s “why nots” turn into today’s “why, oh why” there’s not much you can do but get through it. However, according to alcohol expert Daniel Ufland of online whiskey retailer The masters of whiskeyyour choice of drink could be a big factor in how difficult this ride is.

Here’s a look at the seven drinks most likely to ruin your morning.

1. Red wine

Red wine is considered a bit of a fancy drink – you know, you sniff it and swirl it to look fancy – but overdo it, otherwise you’ll feel far from sophisticated the next morning. It contains tannins, which can trigger headaches, and histamine, which often leads to nasal congestion or worsens allergy-type symptoms. Then there are the congeners – fermentation chemicals that are more concentrated in red wine than in lighter drinks – which only intensify the hangover. According to Ufland, white wine is more forgiving the next day and could save you from the same brutal consequences.

2. Whiskey

Whiskey is a solid drink and works as a great companion for a steak dinner or nightcap. But overdoing it will make you curse every grain known to man. Whiskey’s dark hue and deep flavor profile comes from congeners – those pesky compounds formed during fermentation and aging. They taste fantastic but are disastrous for the head.

According to Ufland, pairing whiskey with plenty of water and a good meal beforehand can lessen the effect. “A big meal can really help soften the blow the next day,” he adds.

3. Tequila

Tequilathe sponsor of bad decisions and those of tomorrow yes, Dios my, isn’t exactly known for his mercy in the hangover department. Its high alcohol content dehydrates you more quickly and leads to headaches and stomach upset the next day.

According to Ufland, sticking to one or two shots — and pairing them with a snack — can help slow down alcohol absorption and spare you the tequila wrath. “If you go with tequila, make sure you don’t skip the salt and lime! » he jokes.

4. Champagne

The bubbles in the fizz are there to fool you. Carbonation speeds up the absorption of alcohol, so you’re drunker faster — and you’re taking a crash course in hangovers before you know it. Luckily, champagne has a lower alcohol content than most dark spirits, so hangovers tend to be a little milder. “Sip champagne slowly and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach to lessen its effects.” Ufland advises.

5. Rum

The rum looks like a bottled vacation until the next morning. Dark rum, in particular, is loaded with sugar and congeners, making it your worst enemy. Lighter mixers can help keep sugar levels low, Ufland suggests, because “there’s already enough sugar in the rum itself.”

6. Cheap spirits

Alcohol is not something that can be bought cheaply: thrifty drinkers often end up paying the price with a brutal hangover. Cheap spirits contain a delicious mix of impurities that your liver has to contend with. These impurities can slow down the processing of alcohol in your body, extending the life of your combination of headaches and nausea well past breakfast. “Opting for higher quality spirits with fewer additives and, of course, staying hydrated can take the edge off the morning hit,” advises Ufland.

7. Beer

Beer may seem like a safe bet with its low alcohol content, but those carbs spell bloating and sluggishness. You might avoid brain-crushing headaches, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel bad. Ufland recommends lighter beers if you want to keep the next-day effects light. “There’s nothing wrong with having a few light beers if you want to have a more manageable morning,” he notes, but cautions that heavier beers require some stomach preparation.

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This article was originally published on Cheapism

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