OnTap Magazine

A classic hangover remedy, this covers both the hair of the dog as well as introducing some much-needed vitamins and minerals from the tomato juice. Personally, the thought of vodka and tomato juice when I feel like a bag full of arseholes is just a step too far, but I guess that’s why I’ll never be Ernest Hemingway. The go-to remedy for festivals of multi-day drinking when you wake up a hangdog millionaire. The idea of using alcohol to remedy the effects of too much alcohol has its novelty and may be somewhat effective as a painkiller as well as combatting the withdrawal part of a hangover. Obviously, this is not a sustainable remedy and the risk of developing a dependency should not be taken lightly. This falls into the weird and difficult-to-stomach set of remedies for the grog horrors but does have some substance to the claim. The salty, vitamin-rich brine can go a long way in proper rehydration, but you really must ask yourself why you can’t just drink some hydration solution or a sports drink. Another classic hangover cure, which has been referenced in pop culture for over 100 years, is the prairie oyster. This ‘cocktail’ consists of a raw unbroken egg, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, sea salt and black pepper – intended to be swallowed in a single gulp. If you are able to stomach this horror show on a babalas then you are made of tough stuff and no hangover is going to stand in your way. HAIR OF THE DOG PRAIRIE OYSTER BLOODY MARY PICKLE JUICE Water is the basis of life, and since a hangover is just simulated death, it makes a lot of sense that water would help. Drinking a good amount of water before you go to sleep is the recommendation of most experienced drinkers. Adding some extra help through a hydration solution or sports drink is even better. I have the firm belief that until the first cup of coffee hits my lips in the morning, it is still effectively the night before. This is even more true when I wake up with a case of the wobble noggin. Since alcohol ruins your sleep, the caffeine and warm hug of a good cup of coffee helps you take that first step to feeling human again. HYDRATION 01 03 05 02 04 06 COFFEE ontapmag.co.za | Summer 2022 | 53