What is the best thing to drink while drunk?

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination and causes your body to lose fluids, leading to dehydration. This dehydration can worsen the effects of intoxication and contribute significantly to hangover symptoms the next day. Because of this, the consensus among medical professionals is that the best thing to drink while drunk is plain water.

Quick Summary

The most effective drink to consume while intoxicated is water, which helps counteract alcohol's diuretic effects and prevents dehydration. Additional beverages like electrolyte-enhanced drinks and coconut water are also beneficial for restoring vital minerals lost during drinking. Options like ginger tea can soothe an upset stomach, while mocktails can help pace alcohol consumption. Avoiding caffeinated and sugary mixers is crucial to prevent further dehydration and health risks.

Key Points

Prioritize Water: The most effective drink is plain water, as it directly fights dehydration caused by alcohol's diuretic effect and helps slow its absorption.
Replenish Electrolytes: Electrolyte drinks and coconut water are excellent for replacing essential minerals like potassium and sodium, which are lost when you urinate frequently.
Soothe Your Stomach: Herbal teas like ginger or peppermint can help calm an upset stomach and combat nausea associated with drinking.
Avoid Caffeine: Never mix alcohol with caffeine, as it can mask the effects of intoxication, leading you to drink more and significantly worsen dehydration and heart strain.
Say No to Sugary Mixers: High-sugar mixers can increase dehydration and irritate your digestive system; stick to water, soda water, or unsweetened juice instead.
Alternate Your Drinks: The 'one-for-one' rule—alternating each alcoholic drink with a glass of water—is a simple, effective strategy to stay hydrated and pace your intake.
Time is the Only Cure: No drink can sober you up instantly. Hydrating and resting simply help manage the symptoms while your body's liver metabolizes the alcohol at its own pace.

The Physiological Effects of Alcohol

When you consume alcohol, your body experiences several physiological changes that impact your hydration levels. Primarily, alcohol acts as a diuretic, suppressing the release of vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone that helps your kidneys regulate fluid balance. As a result, you urinate more frequently, leading to a net fluid loss and dehydration. This fluid loss is not just water; it also depletes your body of essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Dehydration is a key factor behind many of the next-day hangover symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and dry mouth.

The Top Hydration Choices During Intoxication

Staying hydrated while drinking is a simple yet crucial strategy to mitigate the negative effects of alcohol. The best approach is to alternate between alcoholic beverages and a non-alcoholic hydrating drink, a strategy often called the "one-for-one rule".

Water

Plain water remains the best and most accessible option. It directly replenishes the fluids lost due to alcohol's diuretic effect and helps to slow the rate of alcohol absorption into your bloodstream. Keeping a reusable water bottle handy or alternating every alcoholic drink with a glass of water is an easy and effective practice.

Electrolyte Drinks

As you lose fluids, you also lose electrolytes, minerals vital for nerve and muscle function. Replenishing these is key to feeling better. Options include sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte, or specialized electrolyte powders. These are particularly helpful if you have experienced vomiting or excessive sweating.

Coconut Water

Nature's own electrolyte drink, coconut water, is another excellent choice. It is naturally rich in potassium, which is often depleted during drinking, and has less sugar than many commercial sports drinks. Its naturally isotonic properties make it highly effective at restoring hydration.

Herbal Teas

For those with an upset stomach from alcohol, certain herbal teas can be soothing. Ginger tea, in particular, is known for its anti-nausea properties and can help calm your stomach. Peppermint tea is another good option for settling the digestive system.

Beverage Comparison for Drunk Hydration


Beverage	Primary Benefit	Replenishes Electrolytes?	Soothes Stomach?	Notes
Plain Water	Universal hydration	Low levels	No	Best for simple fluid replacement and slowing absorption.
Electrolyte Drink	Electrolyte restoration	Yes	No (can contain sugar)	Ideal for replacing lost minerals, especially after vomiting.
Coconut Water	Natural potassium source	Yes	Yes (mild)	Naturally low in sugar; good source of potassium.
Ginger Tea	Nausea relief	No	Yes	Best for soothing an upset or irritated stomach.
Sugarcane Juice	Natural sugar & vitamin B	Yes	No	Provides quick sugar and vitamins, but watch sugar content.

Drinks to Avoid While Drunk

Just as some drinks are helpful, others can worsen your state. It is wise to avoid certain beverages when intoxicated to prevent further complications.

Caffeinated Drinks

Mixing alcohol with caffeine, such as in energy drinks or coffee cocktails, is a significant risk. Caffeine is a stimulant that masks the depressant effects of alcohol, making you feel more sober than you are. This can lead to increased alcohol consumption, risky behavior, higher blood pressure, and severe dehydration. The combination of two diuretics (alcohol and caffeine) can significantly accelerate fluid loss.

Sugary Mixers

Sweet, sugary mixers contribute to dehydration and can irritate your stomach, particularly when combined with alcohol. Many pre-packaged cocktails and sugary sodas are best avoided. Opting for unsweetened mixers or diluting drinks with soda water is a better choice.

More Alcohol (“Hair of the Dog”)

Drinking more alcohol to cure a hangover or stay drunk is not effective. It simply prolongs the process of metabolizing alcohol and can delay and worsen hangover symptoms. The only way to truly recover is to allow your body time to process the alcohol. If you find yourself unable to stop, it may be a sign of a larger issue with alcohol dependency.

Practical Tips for Mindful Drinking

Beyond what you drink, how you drink is just as important. These strategies can help minimize the negative impacts of alcohol.

Eat First: Alcohol is absorbed much faster on an empty stomach. Eating a meal rich in carbohydrates, protein, and fat beforehand can slow absorption and prevent stomach irritation.
Pace Yourself: Aim for no more than one standard drink per hour. This allows your liver time to process the alcohol effectively.
Choose Wisely: Darker liquors contain more congeners, chemical byproducts that can worsen hangovers. Lighter-colored drinks may lead to less severe symptoms for some individuals.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how you feel. If you start to feel dizzy, weak, or nauseous, it's time to stop drinking and switch to water.

Conclusion

In summary, the best thing to drink while drunk is a non-alcoholic beverage that prioritizes hydration and electrolyte replenishment. Plain water is the simplest and most effective choice, but options like electrolyte drinks, coconut water, or even a soothing herbal tea offer specific benefits for recovery. Remember that no drink can speed up your body's metabolism of alcohol. The best course of action is always moderation, pacing, and listening to your body to prevent dehydration and ensure a smoother, healthier experience. For additional resources on alcohol and health, consider exploring reputable health organizations like the National Institutes of Health.

Optional Outbound Link: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Frequently Asked Questions

No, drinking water does not speed up the process of sobering up. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a fixed rate, and water does not change this. However, it does help combat dehydration, which can alleviate some of the symptoms of intoxication and hangovers.

Plain water is sufficient for basic hydration, but a sports drink or electrolyte beverage is better for replenishing lost electrolytes like sodium and potassium. This is especially helpful if you have been sweating or vomiting.

Yes, eating a meal rich in protein, carbs, and fats before and during drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. This can help you manage your intoxication levels more effectively and reduce stomach irritation.

Mixing alcohol (a depressant) with caffeine (a stimulant) is dangerous because caffeine can mask the feeling of intoxication. This can lead you to drink more than you realize, increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning, risky behaviors, and severe dehydration.

The best way to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation, pace yourself by alternating alcoholic beverages with water, and eat food before and during drinking. Time and rest are the only cures, so these preventative steps are the most important.

Yes, coconut water is beneficial because it is naturally rich in electrolytes, particularly potassium, which is often lost during alcohol consumption. It is a healthier alternative to sugary sports drinks for rehydration.

The 'one-for-one' rule involves drinking one glass of water or another non-alcoholic beverage for every alcoholic drink you consume. This helps maintain hydration, slows your overall alcohol intake, and prevents you from becoming overly intoxicated.