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We all love to let go an enjoy ourselves on Holi, but the morning after often makes us regret our decisions and life choices. A crippling hangover often replaces the memories of a good festival with bad headache, nausea and fatigue. As a result we scamper to find hangover remedies that will give us quick results. However, Holi is a festival of excitement and brining out your daring side, so why not try something that might sound weird but could work just as well as a regular cure.
While hydration, sleep, and nutritious food remain the best hangover remedies, some people swear by these unusual cures. However, the only way to find out if they work is to try them out.
So if you’ve woken up feeling like you got hit by a Holi color bomb, but still have the guts to try something new, here are seven weird hangover cures that could help you bounce back.
7 Weirdest Hangover Cures That Might Actually Work
Coconut Water & Pickle Juice
Why It Works:
Both coconut water and pickle juice are packed with electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which help replenish the nutrients lost after drinking alcohol. Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of hangovers, and this combination hydrates the body faster than plain water.
How to Try It:
- Mix half a glass of coconut water with 30ml pickle juice.
- Drink it in one go—it might taste strange, but the rehydration effects are worth it!
Verdict:
Salty, weird, but effective—the sourness of pickle juice will wake up your sense and might be just the shock you need to be back in the game.
Burnt Toast
Why It Works:
Alcohol can lower your blood sugar level and leave you feeling dizzy or weak. A carbohydrate-rich food like toast will help get those sugar levels up again. Toast is also easy to digest, so you can eat it even if you are feeling iffy. The burnt bits of the toast will get rid of the foul taste in your mouth.
How to Try It:
- Toast two slices of bread until they are almost burnt (not completely black, but close).
- Eat them plain or with honey for extra energy.
Verdict:
While it won’t magically cure a hangover, it might help settle your stomach, bring up your energy levels and aid digestion.
Also Read: Best Imported White Wines To Try On Holi
Banana & Peanut Butter Sandwich
Why It Works:
Alcohol reduces electrolyte levels in the body. Low potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. A good source of potassium is banana, which is both pocket-friendly and filling. Adding a spoonful of peanut butter will give you some protein and healthy fats, thus filling the depleted energy reserve of the body.
How to Try It:
- Make a banana and peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat toast.
- If you need a quick fix, just eat a banana and a spoonful of peanut butter separately.
Verdict:
A solid recovery meal—easy to digest, nutritious, and satisfying. But go easy on the peanut butter as it is packed with calories.
Black Coffee with Lemon
Why It Works:
Caffeine in coffee narrows blood vessels, helping to reduce headaches. Lemon alkalises the body, aiding digestion and giving a quick boost of vitamin C. The combination may sound odd, but it’s been used for decades in home remedies for hangovers.
How to Try It:
- Brew a strong black coffee (without sugar or milk).
- Squeeze in half a lemon and stir well.
- Drink it warm and brace yourself for the bitter-sour combination.
Verdict:
If you can handle the intense taste, this cure might perk you up fast. However, coffee is known to dehydrate the body, which is not great in case of a hangover. So make sure you drink plenty of water.
Sprite
Why It Works:
A Chinese study found that Sprite helps break down acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism that causes hangovers. Unlike darker sodas like cola, Sprite doesn’t contain caffeine, making it a gentler way to ease nausea and speed up alcohol breakdown.
How to Try It:
- Drink a cold can of Sprite in the morning.
- No fancy tricks needed—just sip and let the soda do its job.
Verdict:
A surprisingly easy, tasty, and refreshing fix.
Spicy Buttermilk (Masala Chaas)
Why It Works:
Buttermilk soothes the stomach, while spices like cumin, black salt, and ginger help with digestion and nausea relief. It’s a traditional Indian remedy for stomach issues, making it one of the best cures for a Holi hangover.
How to Try It:
- Blend chilled buttermilk with:
- Black salt
- Roasted cumin powder
- Fresh mint
- A pinch of ginger powder
- Serve chilled and sip slowly.
Verdict:
The most Holi-appropriate cure—cooling, flavourful, and genuinely effective!
Also Read: 5 Drinking Games To Try On Holi
Prairie Oyster
Why It Works:
This old-school hangover cure is a favourite among bartenders and late-night revellers. Packed with protein from the raw egg and a hit of umami from Worcestershire sauce, it’s believed to coat the stomach and replenish lost nutrients. The dash of hot sauce helps wake up the senses, while the vinegar kick-starts digestion, making it a bold yet intriguing remedy.
How to Try It:
Crack a raw egg into a glass (keep the yolk intact).
Add:
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- A few dashes of hot sauce
- A pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1 tsp vinegar (optional)
Swallow in one go—no stirring, no chewing.
Verdict:
Not for the faint-hearted, but if you can handle it, it’s a protein-packed, old-school hangover fix with a serious kick!
Science vs. Myth about weirdest hangover cures
Some hangover cures have scientific backing, while others are more of a placebo effect.
Scientifically Backed:
Electrolytes from coconut water & pickle juice help rehydrate the body.
Potassium in bananas supports muscle recovery.
Sprite speeds up alcohol breakdown, helping you recover faster.
More Myth than Science:
Burnt toast detoxes your body – It is a common assumption that burnt toast contains activated charcoal which makes it a good hangover cure. However this is not true. Burnt toast is simply charred food.
Black coffee with lemon – Coffee will not only dehydrate you further, it will keep you from sleeping and rest is the best hangover remedy.
Looking for award-winning wines and spirits recommendations? Check out the winners of the India Wines And Spirits Award 2024 here.
