Throughout the world New Year’s Eve is about food, friends and for many of us, drinking which results in hangovers. Fortunately you don’t have to ring in the New Year feeling awful because you had one too many cocktails. Quite a few different countries have their own favorite New Years hang over cures that you may just want to try if you aren’t feeling so hot on this New Year’s Day.
After reading these, I am sure you will want to stick to favorite U.S. cures such as a hangover cocktails made out of egg yolks, tomato juice, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce. You can also drink a Bloody Mary, as the tomato juice and celery are full of replenishing vitamins. If you have the stomach for it, eat some greasy food. Get some rest, take a shower switching between hot and cold water, drink lots of liquids, avoid caffeine and try to include some Vitamin B and C throughout the day. Just remember that even if you are feeling crummy after your New Year’s partying, that a hangover won’t last very long into the New Year.
If you are feeling adventurous here are some New Years Hang Over Cures from Around the World:
Poland: Sour Liquids
Anything that is sour will cure a hangover according to the Polish. Sour pickle juice with a lot of vinegar in it is one of their favorite hangover cures. Some Polish residents will even let unpasteurized milk sit out at room temperature for a few days before they plan on drinking alcoholic beverages. After their night of fun they will drink the extra sour milk in hopes of it curing their hangover.
England: Full (greasy) Breakfast
So the English pile their plates with a traditional breakfast of sausage, bacon, black pudding (type of blood sausage,) fried eggs, bread and baked beans. The theory is the grease absorbs the alcohol.
Czech Republic: Utopenci
A jar of pickled hot dogs, sauerkraut, onions, and spices (pickling juice includes white vinegar, peppercorn, allspice, bay leaf, salt, sugar, chilies, and cherry tomatoes.)
Canada: Poutine
French fries topped with brown gravy and cheese curds.
Portugal: Caldo de Peixe
If you are feeling a little foggy-headed, this stew will certainly wake you up. It consists of saltwater fish, potatoes, peppers, onions and the very hot, piri piri pepper. In some countries, it goes by the name: Mozumgue.
Romania: Tripe Soup
A cow’s stomach, also known as tripe, isn’t just for digestive purposes. Romanians are using it to cure their hangover. They simply boil it in a pot with cream, a little bit of vinegar, garlic and a few root vegetables. Once it is cooked they eat a bowl or two of it to get rid of their aches and pains. This hangover cure is also popular in Turkey and Mexico.
Japan: Pickled Plums
The Japanese have quite a few hangover cures including pickled plums. These plums are very salty and can either be eaten by themselves or consumed with a bit of green tea. Other Japanese hangover cures include miso soup and persimmons.
Germany: Pickled Herring
As odd as it sounds, pickled herring is the go-to cure that Germans consume after having one too many beers. They use the herring to make a snack called a Rollmop. They take small pieces of it and wrap it around a bit of gherkin and onion. Germans usually consume this tasty treat for breakfast after enduring a long night of drinking.
Namibia: Buffalo Milk
This hangover cure doesn’t actually have any buffalo milk in it. It consists of whole and clotted cream and a variety of rums and liqueurs. You are probably thinking that drinking it actually may have given you a hangover in the first place. However, Namibians swear by it as a way to feel better after a night of drinking.
Korea: Haejangguk
In Korea, if you have a hangover it’s time to put on a big pot of stew. They use beef broth, a pork bone, and clotted ox blood as the base for it. In addition to this, many households throw in red chilies and a variety of vegetables.
Peru: Leche de Tigre
Translated as tiger’s milk, this cocktail has lime juice, garlic, onion, coriander, salt, pepper, and fish juice. It’s not only supposed to help your hangover, but they claim it is also an aphrodisiac.
Mongolia: Tomato Cocktail
If you are already feeling queasy from a night of drinking then you may want to pass on this dish. To make this cocktail you will need some tomato juice and a couple of pickled sheep’s eyeballs. Yes, you’ve read that right- pickled eyeballs from a sheep!
Puerto Rico: Lemon on your Arm Pit
Yeap you read it right – in Puerto Rico they take a slice of lemon or lime and rub it under the arm pit of the arm they use to consume their drinks. Urban legends says it helps prevent dehydration and headaches. Another popular remedy is to drink a hearty soup called “asopao.” It is made of chicken, pork, beef or shrimp along with rice, onions, green pepper, cilantro, garlic and gandules.
Garlic Soup Recipe For Hangovers
Serves 4 to 6
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of finely diced white onion
5 tbsp mashed fresh garlic (1 head of garlic)
1 tsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp flour
6 cups chicken stock
3 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper to taste
Croutons for garnish (optional)
1- Heat the oil and butter in a medium soup pan on low.
2- When the butter has melted, add the onion and garlic to the pan. Cook the onion and garlic for 10 minutes until soft.
3- Add the flour and stir. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the chicken stock, vinegar and salt. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Recipe by Chef Alan Zox
So if you are not brave enough to try any of the above foods, you can always stick to favorite U.S. cures such as a hangover cocktail made out of egg yolks, tomato juice, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (Prairie Oyster.) You can also drink a Bloody Mary, as the tomato juice and celery are full of replenishing vitamins. If you have the stomach for it, eat some greasy food. Get some rest, take a shower switching between hot and cold water, drink lots of liquids, avoid caffeine, and try to include some Vitamin B and C throughout the day. Just remember that even if you are feeling crummy after your New Year’s partying, that a hangover won’t last very long into the New Year.
Do you have any hangover cures to share? We’d loved for you to share them.
Happy New Year!
Other New Year posts that may interest you:
New Years Traditions and Superstitions
New Years Lucky Foods Menu Ideas
New Years Lucky Food Recipes (on Pinterest)
