Hangover Cures From Around The World

We’ve all heard them, all those tales about hydration and no drinking on empty stomachs. But what about a night of intense merrymaking where all the cares in the world go — perhaps quite literally — out the window? Take a look at these cures from around the world, some so weird that they may just make your bile-inducing hangover the lesser of two evils.

Peru looks at hangovers like a true optimist, with their number one cure being an aphrodisiac. Leche de Tigre—or Tiger’s Milk—gets its name from the colour and potential energising effects of the legendary cocktail. A blend of onions, garlic, chilies, coriander and a dash of lemon juice seasoned with some salt and pepper, the drink’s secret ingredient is fish. Citrus, protein and electrolytes, sounds perfect on paper, but if only your taste buds could say that it is as good as it sounds.

Speaking of aphrodisiacs, the people of Sicily consider dried bull penises to be a great hangover cure. It’s supposed to revitalise your body and stimulate your system to clamp down on the absorption of toxins.

Mexico treats hangovers with a spicy, chili-pepper-based soup called Menudo. The broth is cooked with tripe — in this case, a cow’s stomach — and is supposed to help in flushing out all the alcohol from your system, vigorously.

Anti-oxidant rich tomato juice has a number of health benefits like aiding in digestion, lowering the risk of blood clots and improving heart health. It’s rich in vitamins C and E and is often a part of juice cleanses, as a detoxifying agent. In Mongolia, pickled sheep eyeballs are mixed together with tomato juice as an age-old cure for hangovers. We’re not really sure what the eyeballs do, but a little bit of protein never hurt no hungover-ed soul! Interestingly, tomato juice is also great for eyes.

If you subscribe to the drinking-your-hangover-away ideology, head to Denmark for some Reparationsbajer, or repair beer. This gluten-free pale ale has hints of citrus with orange and grapefruits and a malty, hoppy finish. Be warned, this recovery beer has 5.8 per cent alcohol content. Repair, indeed.

On the other end of the Scandinavian spectrum, Norway’s answer to hangovers is lutefisk, which is dried fish and lye. The excess oils from the fish are supposed to help soak up the alcohol and cleanse your system faster.

But in all seriousness, what we found best is to cure a hangover with prevention. Hydrate yourself and don’t drink on an empty stomach, the old wives tales did get this one right. Also, no morning after should be endured without some good old coconut water!