China (pickled plums)
Pickled plums are a great hangover cure, and can be served in a number of ways.
One way to enjoy pickled plums is to place them directly on your tongue. If you do this, you will probably notice that your mouth is currently occupied by pickled plums. You may want to remove the plums from your mouth before continuing to read this article.
Another way to eat pickled plums is by mixing them with lettuce and mayonnaise. This combination of flavors pairs especially well with chicken or ham sandwiches, but it can also be used as a base for a salad.
Although pickled plums are traditionally served at room temperature, you may also choose to serve them heated up in the microwave, or warmed up with butter on top in an oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. So many choices! But no matter which version of pickled plum you choose first, they all make tasty additions to meals and go down easy when you’re feeling under the weather from too much booze!
Greece (mustard broth)
Mustard Broth
Concocted by the Greeks, this dish is great for hangovers. It’s also a good way to use up leftovers; feel free to add some chicken or any other protein you have on hand. Because this recipe can be prepared in advance, it’s an excellent choice when hosting a holiday meal, or just to make your day easier if cooking Thanksgiving dinner alone.
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
5 cups finely chopped cabbage
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth if preferred)
1 tablespoon dried mustard powder (or 2 tablespoons of mustard)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
salt, to taste 1/4 cup white vinegar
South Korea (hair of the dog)
There are only two things you need to know about this “cure”:
- It’s not a cure. You will still be hungover.
- Drinking more on top of being hungover is quite possibly the worst thing for you that you can do. If you’re feeling too bad to get out of bed, go back to sleep and wake up tomorrow, maybe with a side of aspirin and water. Going from mildly hungover to slightly less hungover will do nothing at all for your productivity levels or your overall happiness.
Germany (beer for breakfast)
You don’t need to go all the way to Germany to try this hangover cure. The German breakfast beer is called a Kolsch, and it’s light enough that your stomach won’t feel like you’re being stabbed by a rusty nail. To be a true Kolsch, it must come from Cologne, Germany, but there are several American craft breweries that do good imitations. You might have had one without realizing what it was; they have a light and crisp taste with just enough of a fresh pilsner-style bite for an easy sip in the morning. They’re often served in tall, thin glasses called stanges and are sometimes served in larger rounds of .2 litres (called bierstangen).
Russia (bouillon and pickles)
- Pickles are high in sodium, and when you have a hangover, you often feel dehydrated. A high-sodium pickle can help replenish electrolytes and make you feel better.
- Bouillon or broth is also high in sodium, sure, but it’s also an excellent source of potassium. Potassium works with sodium to rehydrate your body. Additionally, since soup is a staple in Russian households, chances are that hot bouillon will be the first thing one feels like eating after being hungover—excellent for treating nausea!
Mexico (coconut water and a hot sauce chaser)
The best way to avoid a hangover is to not drink. But if you do, and find yourself with a headache and nausea, there are some things you can do–and eat–to ease the pain.
Coconut water has long been used in Mexico as a hangover cure. It’s packed with potassium. You can just grab a bottle from the store and drink it straight, but that seems like it would be a lot of liquid to take in, especially if you’re feeling nauseous. In Mexico, people will get their coconut water to go along with their hot sauce! They’ll shoot the hot sauce first and then chase it with coconut water for lots of hydration and electrolytes. Just think about how spicy Mexican food makes your mouth feel all fresh afterwards? That could help clear up your nausea too!
Hangovers can be managed, but the best cure is to avoid them in the first place.
Nothing quite matches that sinking feeling you get when you realize you’ve had one too many, and now there’s a pounding in your head and an awful taste in your mouth. Thankfully, people around the world have figured out ways to deal with the morning after. Here are some of the best cures:
- Pumpkin soup in Slovakia: If you find yourself hungover in Slovakia, this dish of pureed pumpkin seeds, lemon juice and more will help mitigate any nausea or vomiting you might be experiencing.
- Goat eyeballs in Mexico: Yep! It’s a thing. The hazy-eyed among us can snack on goat eyeballs to replenish nutrients lost from excessive drinking as well as boost the immune system.
- Haejangguk (Soup) in South Korea: This is another option for those looking to cure their hangovers through soup that’s said to be effective enough for even those with severe symptoms.
While these different methods have their benefits—especially when it comes to providing much-needed nutrients, the best cure is avoiding a hangover altogether by monitoring how much alcohol you consume or checking out some of these healthy alternatives. If you are not able to stay away from alcohol, remember to hydrate as you drink.
