What We Eat and Drink to Kill Our Hangovers (Before They Kill Us)
Whoever dreamed up the Grim Reaper—the cloak, the scythe, the cold and bony hand—probably had a wicked hangover. Because that's what being hungover is like. After a long night out, the morning after feels like a thicket of suffering through which one wanders only to be delivered into the tenebrous clutches of Death himself. We know this for a fact. At least one Bon Appétit writer may be suffering from a hangover at this very moment. Want to guess who? Look at the byline.
Fortunately, we're a resourceful bunch here, and we will not go gently into that good night. We rage - rage! - against the dying of the light.
In other words, here are some cool hangover cures we like, from nachos to milkshakes. (And, of course, the classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.)
1/14Egg sandwiches, obviously. A bodega bacon, egg, and cheese on a squishy kaiser roll is more than fine by me. But this incredible version—with maple bacon and spicy mayo—will get the job done deliciously, too. —Meryl Rothstein, Senior Associate Editor
2/14Spicy kimchi miso broth with rice noodles, tofu, and seaweed. —Brad Leone, Test Kitchen
3/14As much as I love strong coffee after a big night out, now that it's winter I want something even more restorative: miso soup. Earlier this year, I did a lot of research into making it entirely from scratch—I simmered my own dashi from different grades of kombu seaweed and smoky bonito flakes, then mixed in two types of fresh miso paste, et voilà! A marvelous soup better than any restaurant's. On rough winter mornings, however, I use a shortcut that's just as delicious: a combination dashi/miso paste I picked up at Sunrise Mart. Two tablespoons plus two cups of boiling water go into my Zojirushi thermos, and out comes the umamified soup/drink that will get me through the next few hours. —Matt Gross, Editor, BonAppetit.com
4/14Rich, fatty, salty chicken stock soup w/ tiny noodles (ditalini or stars) with a ice-cold coke on top of tons of water. Also new to my regimen as of this week: activated charcoal capsules. I took two with a quart of water before crashing and was pretty much completely reset when the alarm went off. —Mike Ley, Deputy Art Director
5/14I have a friend who swears by Indian food—spicy to sweat it out. —Dawn Perry, Senior Food Editor
6/14A glass of milk. Really cold milk. Maybe 2 glasses. —Alison Roman, Senior Associate Food Editor
7/14I (used to) make crappy nachos. Like, the worst kind: Tostitos, cheese out of a bag, pickled jalapenos, hot sauce, sour cream if I've got it. Eat an entire tray. Repeat. —Scott DeSimon, Deputy Editor
8/14A black and white milkshake. —Susan Getzendanner, Photo Editor (Photo: Nayrb/Flickr)
9/14If it's not a terrible hangover, then I just drink lots of coconut water and a green juice. If it's really bad, add to that pancakes and home fries. Nothing like carbs to turn your system right. —Laura DePalma, Research Editor
10/14A giant glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade with salt and bitters. —Erik Peterson, Developer (Photo: Victoria Vasilieva/Flickr)
11/14Orange Gatorade and saltines. Breakfast of champions. —Jacob Romoser, Photo Assistant
12/14Let me let you in on secret: hangover cures don't work! I like an egg and cheese sandwich, coke over ice, and two Advil as much as the next I-had-one-too-many person, but the only cure is time. Or more alcohol. —Andrew Knowlton, Restaurant & Drinks Editor
13/14First things first: I take 3 Advil before I go to bed and drink large quantities of water. Sometimes a big bowl of Rice Chex, also preventative, is called for. In the morning, if there's misery, 3 more Advil followed by Coca-Cola on ice and a spinach and feta omelet with fries. (Red Flame Diner, I love you.) —Carla Lalli Music, Food & Features Editor
14/14Homemade cilantro tisane with a small slice of ginger. —Faye Chiu Mosley, Assistant Managing Editor
