"hangover cure" news and stories

The worst hangover I ever had was on a cruise ship that had docked overnight in Bordeaux on its way up the Atlantic coast to Normandy. Instead of meeting my friend for breakfast as planned, I staggered off the ship at 11 to die on the streets of France's second-largest city. (The last thing I remember from the night before was singing La Vie En Rose -- in French --to a captivated audience in the Silver Wind's karaoke lounge.) Unable to carry on, I leaned up against a glass phone booth, and in a weird twist of fate, found myself staring straight inside at my French friend, who was in the process of trying to call me. I explained what had happened, and he wasted no time in saying, "Honey, you need grease," before he whisked me off to La Tupina for oil-soaked rotisserie chicken and thick-cut fries. I not only lived to tell this story but went on to sing Piaf in the lounge again that night -- this time, Je Ne Regrette Rien.

If you're about to have one of the worst hangovers of your life, you'd better bone up on the following sure-fire cures. Understand, though, that this is simply my folk wisdom culled from decades of experience. As for pills and vitamins, I know nothing of those things. I believe hangovers are cured with a combination of food, drink and exercise. But mostly food:

Eat something. My friend was right. Have a burger or something fried. But get something full of cholesterol into your stomach, pronto.
Try this Recipe: Marcus Samuelsson's Chorizo Slider Burger

Eat something at a restaurant with a sympathetic chef. At Donatella, in Manhattan's Meatpacking district, Donatella Arpia serves a hangover pizza for weekend brunch that combines sausage, lardo, mozzarella and pecorino. Yes, Ms. Arpaia understands that, in addition to grease, cheese and bread are the next best hope for a cure.

Go heavy on the salt and spice. Michael Ginor, of Lola, in Great Neck, NY, suggests the traditional Thai dish Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) to get you up to snuff again. If you can't make it to his Long Island restaurant, you can try whipping up this recipe (courtesy of the New York Times) at home. (Good luck doing this with a hangover; maybe have it ready to go the night before.)
Try these recipes: Thai Spicy Peanut Sauce with Poached Chicken ; Pad Thai

Dinner was comprised of seven varieties of animal flesh, with appropriate garnish. The entertainment involved aging strippers singing karaoke. The libations complemented both. And then some. A delightful, if stomach-churning, evening. My rarefied hangover the next day required me to break new ground in seeking out a palliative. Luckily, while shopping for stocking stuffers at a local Italian market, I found what I plan to make my signature hangover treatment: Sanbittèr, a prettily bottled "apératif" soda produced by San Pellegrino.

The operative word is bitter, too bitter, maybe, for some people who lack Italian sensibilities. The taste was described by the market proprietor as Campari without the alcohol, and I'd say that is pretty accurate. Apparently it's a favorite of teetotaling Italianos for that reason. So, good for both varieties of "recovering alcoholic."

Bitters have long been recommended as a stomach soother. Sanbittèr, with its slight fizz and its ruby-redness, seems a bit more fun than regular bitters, though. It comes in tiny, sippable bottles that will later make lovely bud vases or creamers. Better yet, it's available for order online.

Yesterday afternoon, I thought idly about heading down to the Wine and Spirits shop to pick up a bottle of something bubbly. As McCain conceded to Obama's unarguable victory, I wished that I had followed through with that fleeting though, as a glass of champagne or sparkling wine would have topped off the historic night nicely.

However, from what I've heard, most of you were far more motivated than I to ensure that you had a celebratory tipple last night. If you're still feeling the pain, one way to cure your aching head is with a glass of Brandy Milk Punch. Anita of Married with Dinner has posted a simple, soothing recipe. If you don't need it today, keep it one bookmarked for future mornings after.

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