How to Cure a Hangover

Choose Light-Colored Drinks

Why it works: Every type of alcohol contains congeners—compounds that add flavor and color—but dark alcohols, including red wine and whiskey, generally have more of them than lighter ones do. (Vodka contains 37 times fewer feel-bad congeners than bourbon does.) These toxic chemicals may set off an inflammatory response that helps bring on hangover symptoms.

Plan of attack: Stick to light-colored drinks, like white wine or vodka. Between cocktails, sip a glass of the ultimate light-colored drink: water. Water helps reduce the effect of congeners by limiting how much booze you drink—and will help fight alcohol’s dehydrating, and possibly headache-inducing, tendencies.