The Art Of Drinking Beer And Liquor

There are many misconceptions about the effects of drinking beer and liquor, including the popular adage beer before liquor, never sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear. Despite its prevalence, this saying lacks scientific evidence, and modern research has disproven the myth that drinking order influences hangover severity. The amount of alcohol consumed has a more significant impact on hangovers than the type of alcohol or the order in which it is consumed. To reduce the risk and severity of a hangover, it is crucial to drink in moderation, stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, and make informed drink choices based on alcohol content rather than type. Additionally, drinking on an empty stomach can worsen the side effects of alcohol consumption, and certain compounds in alcoholic beverages, such as congeners in dark spirits, may worsen hangover symptoms. While beer can be enjoyed on its own, it also makes an excellent cocktail component, adding body, bubbles, and a frothy kick to drinks.

Beer and liquor cocktails

Michelada

The Michelada is a savoury and spicy cocktail that is perfect for brunch or a summer day. It typically consists of a Mexican lager, lime juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and an array of spices. You can also add a unique twist by including mezcal for a subtle smoky flavour. For an extra kick, try the Blackberry-Chipotle Michelada variation, which includes smoky chipotle and tangy blackberries.

Margarita with a Twist

Take your typical margarita mix of tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice to the next level by topping it off with a Mexican lager. This cocktail is perfect for those who want a refreshing summer drink with an extra punch.

Rye House Spring Beer Cocktail

This seasonal cocktail is an unusual but delightful combination of genever, applejack, loganberry liqueur, lime juice, ginger syrup, and lager beer. It's the perfect drink to welcome the warmer weather.

Grapefruit Beer Bellini

A refreshing cocktail with a twist on the classic bellini, the Grapefruit Beer Bellini combines grapefruit beer with the traditional sparkling wine for a unique bitter-sweet taste.

Shandygaff

A simple yet delicious cocktail, the Shandygaff is a mix of citrus soda and lager. For a more adventurous take, try adding fresh ginger juice and a dash of hot sauce.

Aperitivo Spritz

Beer pairs surprisingly well with sweet liqueurs and juices, creating a savoury and slightly bitter cocktail. Try a full-bodied, sweet, and smooth amaro liqueur with beer for an Italian aperitivo spritz.

So, whether you're looking for a refreshing summer drink or a boozy brunch cocktail, these beer and liquor combinations are sure to impress and delight your taste buds.

Hangover prevention

While drinking beer and liquor, it is important to know that the order in which you consume your drinks is unlikely to influence whether you experience a hangover the next day. This is because alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream as soon as it reaches the stomach, so all the alcohol consumed will be absorbed before a hangover takes effect.

However, there are other factors that can affect your risk of experiencing a hangover. Here are some tips to prevent a hangover:

Before Drinking:

• Eat a meal: Drinking on an empty stomach causes alcohol to move quickly from the stomach to the intestines, where it can be absorbed more rapidly, leading to a spike in blood alcohol levels. Eating foods rich in healthy fats, like avocado, or high-fibre foods like Brussels sprouts, lentils, and popcorn, can help delay the body's absorption of alcohol.
• Consider supplements: Some studies suggest that taking certain dietary supplements may reduce hangover symptoms. For example, a small 2019 study found that participants whose food and drinks contained greater amounts of B vitamins and zinc had milder hangovers.

During Drinking:

• Drink in moderation: The severity of hangovers increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. The amount of alcohol needed to produce a hangover varies among individuals, but drinking enough to become intoxicated may result in a hangover.
• Avoid drinks high in congeners: Congeners are toxic chemicals found in alcoholic beverages, and drinks with high levels of congeners, such as whiskey, cognac, and tequila, can increase the frequency and intensity of hangovers. Opt for colorless drinks like vodka, gin, or rum, which have low levels of congeners.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Alcohol is a diuretic, contributing to dehydration. Drinking water or other non-alcoholic beverages between drinks can help reduce dehydration and slow down your alcohol consumption.
• Stick to one kind of drink: This helps to keep track of how much you're drinking and makes it less likely to upset your stomach.
• Avoid carbonated beverages: Research suggests that the presence of bubbles in carbonated beverages or sparkling water can speed up the rate of alcohol absorption, leading to a higher likelihood of a hangover.

After Drinking:

• Get plenty of sleep: Alcohol can impair sleep quality and duration, so getting enough sleep after drinking can help your body recover.
• Eat a nutritious meal: Hangovers are sometimes associated with low blood sugar levels. Eating a hearty breakfast or a late-night meal can help maintain blood sugar levels and mitigate some hangover symptoms.
• Drink more water: Alcohol's diuretic effect can lead to dehydration, so drinking water after a night of drinking can help rehydrate the body.
• Avoid another drink: Drinking more alcohol the next morning may provide temporary relief, but it will not cure a hangover and can delay recovery.

While these strategies may help prevent or alleviate hangover symptoms, the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation or abstain from drinking altogether.

Drinking order

There are many theories about the ideal drinking order of beer and liquor, and the popular saying "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear" has been around for a long time. However, modern research has debunked this myth, concluding that the order of consumption does not significantly affect hangover severity. Instead, it is the absolute volume of alcohol, or the amount of pure alcohol (ethanol) in a drink, that matters more.

A 2007 study found that diluted vodka was absorbed faster than when served neat, indicating that the preparation of the drink also plays a role in how the body absorbs alcohol. Additionally, a 2019 study compared the hangover severities of subjects who consumed only beer, only wine, or a combination of both in different orders and found that neither the type nor the order of the alcoholic beverages significantly impacted the hangover intensity.

While the drinking order of beer and liquor may not influence hangovers, other factors certainly do. These include the overall amount of alcohol consumed, whether one drinks on an empty stomach, how frequently one drinks, genetics, congeners (compounds found in alcoholic beverages), and smoking status.

To reduce the risk of a hangover, it is recommended to drink in moderation, stay hydrated, avoid drinking on an empty stomach, prioritize sleep, and make informed drink choices based on overall alcohol content rather than the type of beverage.

Safe drinking guidelines

Drinking in moderation is essential to reducing your risk for alcohol-related health problems. While there are general guidelines for safe drinking, it's important to remember that individual factors, such as body weight, age, and medical conditions, can also influence how your body processes alcohol. Here are some recommendations to keep in mind:

Standard Drink Equivalents:

One standard drink is typically considered to be 12 oz. of regular beer (5% alcohol), 8-9 oz. of malt liquor (7% alcohol), 5 oz. of table wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof hard liquor (40% alcohol).

Recommended Drink Limits for Adults:

• For females, it is recommended to have no more than 1 drink per day and no more than 7 drinks per week.
• For males, the recommendation is no more than 2 drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
• Adults aged 65 and older should limit their intake to no more than 1 drink per day and no more than 7 drinks per week.
• Pregnant individuals or those who might be pregnant should avoid alcohol completely.

Binge Drinking:

Binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 or more drinks on one occasion for females and older adults, and 5 or more drinks for males. It is essential to avoid binge drinking, as it can lead to serious health risks.

Individuals Who Should Not Drink Alcohol:

• People under the age of 21 (the minimum legal drinking age in the US).
• Individuals taking medications that interact with alcohol or managing a medical condition that can be exacerbated by alcohol.
• Pregnant individuals or those who might be pregnant.
• Those recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) or unable to control their alcohol intake.
• Older adults or individuals planning to drive, operate machinery, or engage in activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.

Other Factors Affecting Alcohol Tolerance:

• The volume of alcohol consumed: The total amount of alcohol consumed is more important than the order in which drinks are consumed.
• Absorption rate: Alcohol served diluted (with water or mixers) may be absorbed faster than when served neat.
• Food intake: Drinking on an empty stomach can cause alcohol to be absorbed more rapidly and spike blood alcohol levels.
• Frequency of drinking: Heavy drinkers are more likely to experience hangovers and other adverse effects.
• Genetics: Genes can influence how the body metabolizes alcohol and can impact sleep, hydration, blood sugar levels, and blood vessel dilation, all of which can affect hangover severity.
• Congeners: Naturally occurring compounds in alcoholic beverages can contribute to hangovers, with some types of alcohol containing higher levels than others.

Remember, these guidelines are meant to promote safe and responsible drinking. It is always important to drink in moderation, stay informed about the risks, and make decisions that align with your health and well-being.

Alcohol absorption rates

The absorption rate of alcohol depends on several factors. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream as soon as it reaches the stomach, with about 20% being absorbed there and the remaining 80% in the small intestine, where absorption is faster.

The rate of alcohol absorption is quickest when consumed on an empty stomach and when the alcohol concentration is 20-30%. For example, sherry, with an alcohol concentration of about 20%, increases blood alcohol levels more rapidly than beer (3-8%). Spirits with an alcohol concentration of 40% delay gastric emptying and inhibit absorption. Drinks aerated with carbon dioxide, like whisky and soda or champagne, enter the system quicker.

Food, especially carbohydrates and fats, slow down the absorption of alcohol. Carbohydrate-rich foods like pizza, nachos, and beef tacos can slow down the rate of intoxication because they cause the pyloric valve at the bottom of the stomach to close while digestion takes place, preventing alcohol from entering the small intestine, where most of it is absorbed.

The volume of the drink also influences how quickly it is consumed. A beer tends to take longer to drink than a cocktail or a shot simply because it's much larger. Based on volume, you could drink 2.5 cocktails in the time it takes to drink one bottle of beer.

Additionally, the concentration of alcohol in the beverage matters. A 2007 study found that vodka served diluted was absorbed faster than vodka served neat. This means that even if the same amount of time is taken to drink straight liquor or a glass of wine, the wine may still lead to higher intoxication as it is better absorbed into the bloodstream.

Other factors that can influence the rate of alcohol absorption include gender, mood, carbonation, altitude, and medication/drug interactions.

Frequently asked questions