Fine Bottled Water the Smart Hangover-Fighter

by Michael Mascha

Holiday partygoers need a strategy that will enable them to have their pint of enjoyment while keeping the adverse consequences to an absolute minimum.

Apart from sheer overindulgence, the primary cause of a hangover is dehydration, according to Dr. Petros Levounis, director of the Addiction Institute of New York at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Alcohols and the sugars they contain deplete fluids from the body and the brain – a key reason for headaches, dry mouth, upset stomachs and overall malaise. "Water performs a lot of services: it gets you re-hydrated, flushes out your system and helps you metabolize alcohol faster,” says Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical associate professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine.

Advance Party Preparation:
Treat yourself!  The simplest solution for dehydration is water -- and plenty of it.  Begin drinking water when you get up the morning before a party, and then drink as much bottled water as you can during the day. FineWaters recommends making the drinking water to combat the effects of hangover fun by buying three bottles of fine water, using quality stemware to sample different waters. Any water would do but making an intelligent effort and enjoying the process makes it more likely to succeed. You will consume more water because it’s better water and more fun!

At the Party:
Once the holiday cheer starts, make every other drink a glass of water. Discriminating bottled water drinkers are learning that, like wine, the right fine bottled water enhances every dining experience – from gourmet cuisine to their favorite chocolate treats.  Using the FineWaters Balance, a unique scale developed by FineWaters, discerning consumers can distinguish between varying degrees of sparkling and still waters and learn how to pair water and food for the ultimate fulfillment.  The FineWaters Balance divides bottled water into five categories – Bold, Classic, Light, Effervescent and Still – and describes how each group affects the taste and feel of specific cuisine.  The FineWaters Balance also addresses factors like optimum drinking temperature and appropriate stemware.

If you the host of the party you should provide your guests with a selection of at least 3 different waters. Your guests will appreciate your efforts and will for sure thank you the next morning. A selection of three different waters will allow your guests to drink the appropriate bottled water during the celebration, together with the wine and/or hard liquor that is sure to flow.

In general the water needs to be matched with the food ( see Matching Water and Food). The recommendations below are for a drinks only match. It is also important to pay attention to the presentation of the water selecting a nice presentable glass bottles and the appropriate stemware for the water.

Red Wine would match best with a FineWaters Balance | Still designation if you only drink wine ( Acqua Panna, Ty Nant Still, ...)

White Wine usually served slightly chilled matches best with a water that has some small bubbles from a FineWaters Balance | Light designated water to match the mouthfeel of the colder wine (Ramlosa, Galvanina, Sole, ...).

Single Malt - a FineWaters Balance | Still designation  with character, terroir and a story would work well for Single Malt. (Gleneagles Still, Hildon Still, ..)

Cognac - same as Single Malt unless you want to experiment with a FineWaters Balance | Effervescent designated water like Borsec (super fine bubbles), Voss or Badoit.

Proper hydration can drastically reduce the hangover effect but you still need to consider the effect the alcohol has on your system. Party sensibly and don’t drink and Drive!