What is the best mixer for vodka to avoid a hangover? If you’re researching this right now, you may already have a hangover, or you may be preparing for a potential hangover tomorrow.
Well, without stating the obvious, we all know the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation. But let’s be honest, that doesn’t always work out does it? If your drink of choice is vodka however, you’ll be pleased to know that you’re already less likely to feel the familiar banging headache and nausea that follows a night of drinking and dancing!
But what is the best mixer for vodka to avoid a hangover? Well, it’s a good question!
So, in the hope that we can all suffer through the pains of a hangover a little less often, we’re going look at the best mixers for vodka to avoid a hangover!
What causes a hangover?
What causes a hangover might sound like a silly question!
Alochol, of course! Although, what many people don’t know is that your choice of mixer can sometimes worsen your chances of a hangover. Yes, and you thought turning down that last shot of tequila would save you from a day of painkillers and takeout food!
Of course, there are many other factors that contribute to the awful feeling we wake up to after having one to many the night before.
So, what are they?
Congeners
Congeners are chemical by-products, such as methanol, that are found in most types of alcohol. They are part of the fermentation process that gives alcohol drinks their unique flavour.
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Luckily, some alcoholic drinks contain fewer congeners, such as vodka and gin. In fact, clear spirits tend to have smaller concentrations of congeners, where as dark spirits such as rum and bourbon have higher amounts. So, stick to the clear spirits to lessen your chances of a hangover!
Dehydration
Do you tend to pee more when you go out drinking? Well, that’s because alcohol is a diuretic, which unfortunately often leads to dehydration – another main cause of a hangover.
Of course, if you want to go out socialising at the pub or bar without the risk of a hangover, you can always try non-alcoholic beer, which might be less likely to leave you dehydrated!
Find out: does non-alcoholic beer dehydrate you?
Low blood sugar
When we drink alcohol, our body doesn’t produce as much glucose, which in turn leads to low blood sugar. The effects of low blood sugar in the body can lead to fatigue, dizziness and even irritability – all common symptoms of a hangover.
Too much sugar
Yes, I know we’ve just talked about too little sugar causing hangovers. Unfortunately, excess sugar often found in our vodka mixers, can also contribute to the pounding headache of a hangover. Sugar-free mixers aren’t always the answer either as they contains sweeteners which can have the same effect.
Lack of sleep
Despite the fact that drinking causes you to fall asleep easily, it often leads to poor quality sleep. The lack of sleep contributes to you feeling drowsy and can worsen the other effects of your hangover the next day.
Effects on the immune system
It is thought that alcohol can temporarily weaken your immune system, leading to nausea and sometimes decreased appetite.
So, we know what causes us to feel hungover, and we know that certain alcohols, such as vodka are likely to decrease the chance of a hangover.
But what we really want to know is what are the best mixers for vodka to avoid a hangover?
Well, read on and we’ll tell you!
Best mixers for vodka to reduce hangovers
Now we know what causes a hangover, we need to know how we can avoid a hangover!
Let’s look at the best mixers for vodka to avoid a hangover.
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Soda
Many people choose a vodka soda as the low-fat and low-calorie option, but did you know it is also the low-risk hangover option too?
In actual fact, it might be the best mixer for vodka to avoid a hangover. The low sugar content in soda means that after two or three of them (always drink in moderation though, people), you are not going to be pumped full of sugar that will contribute to a sore head and sugar-crash the following day!
Stick a slice of lime in there for a little extra flavour.
Cranberry juice
If vodka soda isn’t your thing, cranberry juice might be second best – and a little tastier.
Cranberry juice is a popular mixer found in cocktails and, when combined with vodka, can help to avoid hangovers! Firstly, because it is full of antioxidants which help flush toxins from the body. Secondly, you still get a little sweetness in your vodka from the natural sugars found in fruit – bonus!
Water
A less popular choice, but still one of the best mixers for vodka to avoid a hangover is: water.
Yes, water and vodka might not sound like a hardcore drink, but there’s no denying it is a safe option. One of the main causes of hangover, as we know, is dehydration. If you drink vodka with a water mixer, you are essentially re-hydrating whilst you’re drinking, sort of.
Vodka and water is also a very low-calorie option for those wanting to watch their calorie intakes during a night out.
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Again, if you choose this as your mixer, you might want to add a slice of lemon or lime for added flavour!
Due to the fact that the sugar in mixers contributes to your hangover, these hangover-reducing drink options are also diet-friendly too.
Tips for a hangover
Maybe you’re reading this because you are hungover? Or perhaps you have returned to this page because you accidentally went rogue and didn’t order any of the best mixers for vodka to avoid a hangover?
Well, if so, here are a couple of tips to get you through!
- Rehydrate – keep drinking water regularly through the day, and if you can stomach it, try a herbal tea.
- Eat something – even if your body is telling you it can’t face food, try something plain like toast – it might help!
- Take a nap – as we know, lack of sleep can worsen symptoms of a hangover. If you’re feeling tired or lethargic, let yourself nap – you’ll probably wake up feeling better!
Have you tried any of the best mixers for vodka to avoid a hangover? Or do you have a favourite that wasn’t listed here? Tell us in the comments below!
