Valentine's Day Drinking: How To Drink Without Getting Sick

Some of our expert tips on how to joyfully imbibe without feeling like a garbage can.

Valentine's Day is a special holiday for a lot of reasons. It celebrates romantic love, Champagne and chocolate in a way that no other holiday does. It's an excuse for some people to get dressed up, make grand romantic gestures for each other and buy so many flowers, we're surprised they aren't all extinct yet. But let's be honest, what Valentine's Day does best is give us all a ton of reasons to feel really self-conscious.

We're here to talk to you today about a special kind of Valentine's Day pressure: how to enjoy celebratory cocktails without overdoing it. No one wants to be the significant other getting dragged home from the restaurant, passing out on the couch, or feeling like absolute murder in the morning. So we're going to share with you some of our expert tips on how to joyfully imbibe without feeling like a garbage can.

  • The over-arching principle is simple: moderation. Your body can only handle so much. If you are reading this, you are likely an adult who's consumed a drink or two. You know your limits and you should do your very best to adhere to them. Because we know that is easier said than done sometimes:
  • HYDRATE. We really can't stress this enough. Drink a glass or two of water before you leave for or sit down to dinner. Drink water throughout. Try to make sure that you're drinking at least a small glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume. (Don't gulp like a mad person you guys, just try to be mindful. Every little bit helps.)
  • Actually eat your food. Those notions of not eating on dates, or only eating as much as the person across from you is eating are, in a word, stupid. Whoever your date on Valentine's Day is, be it a long-time partner, a new love connection or a dear friend, they just want you to have a good time and enjoy the evening. That's what you want for them, right? So eat your food. Enjoy your food. The more of your meal you enjoy, the less likely you'll be to wake up with a smashing headache tomorrow.
  • Progression is important. If you are the type to start out with a cocktail (ahem, we are), just try to think of this progression logically. Have a cocktail or two. If you then switch to wine or beer, stick with them. Do not drink 14 different kinds of drinks on Valentine's Day. There may be no science whatsoever to "beer before liquor," but tonight is not the night you want to find out. And if we were you, we wouldn't have a nightcap, unless it were a rejuvenating digestif.
  • Oh yeah, hydrate again. Drink a glass of water before bed... whenever that is. Dehydration is the number one cause of day-after pain, so just do it.

Then, just wake up like a refreshed daisy, eat some pancakes with your loved one and spread the gospel of imbibing responsibly. Should you not feel fresh as the bouquet of flowers you gave or received yesterday, we've got some hang-over food recommendations for you. Happy Valentine's Day!

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