Of flus and booze
The consensus on drinking while sick?
Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 11, 2009 at 09:00AM
10 Comments
Alas dear drinking buddies, I have succumbed to the plague. I am unwell. Under the weather. Bit by the bug. Sick as the proverbial dog. The question is, should this unfortunate turn of the stomach stand in the way of my drinking regimen? Surely, spirits have their restorative powers. The Greeks and Romans distilled juniper berries (Hello! Gin!) for medicinal purposes. And everyone knows beer is rich in antioxidants. You might say, it’s good for what ales you. Har!
Since I’m home from work anyway, I may as well use my time to better mankind and devise the ideal alcohol-inspired antidote. I’ve heard rumors of a Thera-Flu cocktail, but my lone attempt at this healing elixir resulted in an extended stay in an oxygen tent. Who knew fortified wine, grain alcohol, Robitussin, and a half bottle of ibuprofen was a near-lethal combination? I didn’t see any warnings posted anywhere.
One hot drink that never fails to improve my spirits is Blueberry Tea. Simply brew up a cup of your favorite tea (preferably something mild flavored) and leave room for copious amounts of Grand Marnier and amaretto. Drink and repeat. It’s potent and delicious, and even if it doesn’t speed your recovery, it’s time well spent.
Sadly, my liquor cabinet is bereft of Grand Marnier at the moment, but is otherwise well stocked. So let’s hear some ideas. Help out the ol’ Bar Pilot with your own hot drink recipes that will restore me to vigorous good health. Bonus points if you come over to my house, pry open my mouth with a spoon, and pour the solution down my throat.
Tags: Cocktails
You could just opt for the simple, and yet potent, shot of rum.
But, if you prefer something more frilly:
1. Pour hot steaming boiling water into cup.
2. Add 2 tsps. lemon juice.
3. Add 2 tsps. honey.
4. Add 1 ounce rum, brandy, or cordial.
5. Lightly dip one herbal tea bag (any flavor) in cup.
6. Sip slowly. Repeat every two hours (or as needed).
This isn’t a recipe, but I once had a friend who swore by Teacher’s Scotch Whisky when he was ill with the flu or cold. Of course, as with any alcohol-based remedy, it’s all about making you feel better rather than actually healing you.
At my local bar the “Hot Toddy” is a popular hangover/sickness/depression remedy with the usual bar flies! It goes something like… a: 1 1/2 ounces Whiskey b: 1 ounce Honey c: 1/3 ounce Lemon Juice d: 3 ounces Water (Hot) e: 1 short whole cinnamon stick. I’ve never had one myself, but they do smell and look good!
I’m under the weather, too, John – feel better. Even though I’ve been consuming large amounts of Larix, immunity vitamins, and NAC for the past few days and steering clear of alcohol, a glass of holiday-party red wine and a nice hot toddy last night transformed me into a new person today! Yo Ho’s recipe looks spot-on, although my inner hippie would recommend raw honey, near-boiling water, and organic lemons. And of course it tastes better if someone makes it for you.
As with most things, moderation is the key here.
Here’s my newest hot toddy recipe:
1 jigger American Honey Wild Tukey liquer
1/2 lemon juiced/squeezed
fill mug with hot water just off boil
cinnamon stick optional
Alternate with lots of water, fruit juice, spicy soups & sleep.
Here’s wishing you feel better soon dear Bar Pilot!
Green Ginger Wine, if you can find it, is excellent for a queasy stomach. There are also some ginger liqueurs out there that ought to do the trick.
I’ve felt that very moderate drinking while ill isn’t all that bad for you. Personally, I think it has a slight edge over taking things like Tylenol or other fever-reducing medications as they actually prolong the fever aspect of a cold (“sweating out a cold” resets the thermostat in your hypothalamus).
I would avoid taking megadoses of things like Vitamin C. Despite popular thinking, repeated studies have shown that Vitamin C does not protect against the cold or shorten illness. It does, however, have the potential to irritate your stomach and give you diarrhea; dehydration isn’t a great thing to have with a cold.
A few Blueberry Teas from The Screen Door!!
Good suggestions all. My second stab at the TheraFlu cocktail was more successful.
Fill 2/3 of a coffee mug with hot water
add 1 package of TheraFlu
add 1-2 parts American Honey Wild Turkey
stir
Voila! All your aches and pains will magically dissolve.
Clear Creek Pear Brandy. Three little shots ought to do the trick. You’ll sleep like a new-born.