What to drink after a night out? Spoiler alert: it's not coffee

Your body feels like a dead weight, you’re exhausted and your tongue feels like sandpaper, and every heartbeat reminds you of that phrase you kept repeating on a loop last night: “ONE LAST ONE AND I’M DONE!”

And now you’re facing the question every human being has asked themselves at least once after a night out:
What should you drink after a boozy night out?

Spoiler: if you think it’s coffee, take a seat. We’re about to set the record straight.

 

 

1. Coffee: the seductive traitor

Coffee looks like comfort. It smells good, it wakes you up, and it makes you believe you’re functional again. Except…

• It raises your blood pressure.
  
  

• It worsens dehydration (and you’re already dehydrated).
  
  

• It masks the fatigue without getting rid of it.

 

“Caffeine can heighten the cardiovascular effects of alcohol, including tachycardia and hypertension, while delaying fluid recovery.” Wiese JG et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2000

Drinking coffee the morning after a hangover is like spraying perfume on a flat tyre: it doesn’t fix anything.

 

 

2. Water alone: a good start, but not enough

Yes, water is essential. But it’s not enough. Why?

Because alcohol doesn’t just flush out water, it also carries away essential electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium. Without them, you can drink litres and your body still won’t hold onto it properly.

“Simply drinking water does not achieve full rehydration after fluid loss: the presence of sodium is required to stimulate absorption.” Shirreffs SM et al., British Journal of Nutrition, 2003

 

 

 3. The real morning-after drinks: the winning duo

✅ 1. Diluted fruit juice

• Orange juice on its own is too acidic. Dilute it with water.
  
  

✅ 2. Homemade broth

• Salt, vegetables, hot water.
  
  

• It’s the magic potion for the morning after. And it’s backed by grandparents everywhere.

 

4. What about milk? Soda? Pickle juice?

• Milk: not the smartest choice, it’s too rich for a stomach that’s already churning. Best avoided right after waking up.
  
  

• Sugary sodas: a blood sugar spike, followed by a crash. Bad idea. Sugary drinks trigger an insulin response, which just makes your body work harder for nothing.
  
  

• Pickle juice: yes, surprisingly. It’s salty and tangy. Not the most pleasant to drink — that’s down to taste.
  
  

 

 5. DIY recipe: a homemade drink for the morning after

Here’s a simple recipe to make at home:

1. 500 ml of water
   
   
2. The juice of 1/2 a lemon
   
   
3. A pinch of salt
   
   
4. A spoonful of honey
   
   
5. (Optional: a few mint leaves)
   
   

 

 

📊 Quick recap table

 

 

 

🎓 In short:

After a boozy night out, your body doesn’t need coffee.
It needs water, rest and a simple meal.

 

And if you tend to skip these steps:
📌 Get yourself a bottle of water ready next to your bed. You’ll thank us at 9am.