12 Popular Drinks That Always Lead to Regret
Enjoying a drink is often about unwinding and having a good time. But some popular choices have a reputation for making you feel less than stellar the next day.
You might be surprised which popular drinks are most often linked to feeling lousy or regretful afterward. Knowing this can save you from a tough morning and help you enjoy your time without the downside.
This article will guide you through 12 drinks that many people often wish they’d skipped.
Long Island Iced Tea
A Long Island Iced Tea is loaded with five kinds of liquor: vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec. This mix makes it super strong without tasting like it.
Because of the high alcohol content, it’s easy to lose track of how many you’ve had. The drink’s sweet, smooth flavor hides just how potent it really is.
If you want to avoid a rough morning, it’s smart to pace yourself or try lighter alternatives. There are also plenty of Long Island Iced Tea variations if you want to explore different flavors or find a version that suits your taste better.
Margarita
A margarita combines tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur for a refreshing, tangy drink. The sugar from the orange liqueur and the alcohol content can make it easy to overindulge.
Because margaritas often have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 20-25%, even a couple of drinks can affect you quickly. This can lead to feeling worn out or even a headache the next day.
If you’re a fan of creative twists, there are plenty of unique margarita variations to try. Just keep in mind, trying different flavors doesn’t always lessen the chance of regret in the morning.
Whiskey Sour
A Whiskey Sour blends tart lemon juice, sugar, and whiskey for a smooth, refreshing cocktail. Because it usually contains a good amount of sugar and citrus, Whiskey Sours can hit your system quickly.
If you’re not careful, you might find yourself dealing with a rough morning after. Adding egg white can make the drink creamier but won’t soften the hangover effects.
Tequila Shots
Tequila shots are known for their quick kick, making them a popular choice when you want to turn up the fun fast. You might start with the classic salt, lime, and silver tequila, but the intensity can catch up with you by the next morning.
Because tequila heats up your system quickly, it’s easy to lose track of how many shots you’ve had. That sudden spike in alcohol can lead to dehydration and headaches the next day.
You can find creative tequila shot recipes that mix flavors like lime, cola, or even spices to smooth out the burn. But no matter the mix, the concentrated nature of shots often means your body gets a strong dose of alcohol in a short time, increasing the chance of regret.
Rum and Coke
Rum and Coke is a favorite for its simplicity and sweet, smooth flavor. It’s easy to make and combines rum’s richness with the sugary fizz of cola.
The high sugar content in cola, combined with alcohol, often leads to dehydration and worsens hangover symptoms. Mixing alcohol with sugary sodas is known to increase the severity of hangovers.
If you want something similar but less sweet, consider cocktails that balance flavors without overloading on sugar. You can explore other rum cocktails that mix well but may cause less regret by cutting back on sugary mixers.
Vodka Red Bull
Vodka Red Bull combines alcohol with caffeine. This mix can make you feel more awake even as you drink.
However, the caffeine can mask how drunk you really are. This means you might drink more than you think is safe, leading to stronger effects the next day.
You might feel energetic while drinking, but this usually makes the hangover worse. Many people report feeling tired, jittery, or anxious afterward, sometimes called “hangxiety.”
It’s a popular party drink, especially among young adults, but bartenders often caution against it. If you decide to have a Vodka Red Bull, just be mindful of how much you’re drinking.
Jägermeister
If you enjoy herbal flavors, Jägermeister offers a unique taste with hints of citrus, ginger, and spices. It’s often mixed in cocktails or taken as a chilled shot, which can quickly sneak up on you.
The classic Jägerbomb, mixing Jägermeister with Red Bull, is popular but can lead to a rough morning. The combination of caffeine and alcohol can mask how intoxicated you feel, causing you to drink more than intended.
You might also find Jägermeister mixed with beer or in creative cocktails. While the taste can be enjoyable, the herbal liqueur tends to have a strong aftereffect that many people regret the next day.
Frozen Daiquiri
A frozen daiquiri is a blend of rum, lime juice, and sugar, all crushed with ice to make a sweet, slushy treat. The chill and sugar can make it easy to drink more than you realize.
Frozen daiquiris often use dark rum, which holds up to freezing better than lighter varieties. The sweetness from added syrups or fruit flavors can mask the alcohol’s strength, making it tricky to pace yourself.
Because they’re refreshing and smooth, frozen daiquiris are popular at parties and on hot days. But that same easygoing quality can leave you facing a rough morning if you don’t watch your intake.
Gin and Tonic
A gin and tonic might seem light, but gin is known to sometimes lead to strong hangovers. This happens because gin contains compounds from juniper berries that can affect how your body reacts to alcohol.
Drinking too much gin often results in headaches and dehydration. Mixing gin with tonic water might seem light, but the sugar and carbonation in tonic can contribute to feeling sick after drinking.
Some people even feel nausea or other stomach discomforts after consuming gin. This can depend on your individual sensitivity or the quality of the gin you choose.
If you want to enjoy it with fewer side effects, try drinking water alongside your cocktail. There are many ways to experiment with gin and tonic to keep things fresh and potentially gentler on your system.
Sangria
Sangria looks like a friendly, fruity drink that’s perfect for sharing with friends. Its mix of wine, fruit, and often a splash of brandy can make it easy to lose track of how much you’re drinking.
You might find yourself feeling more tired or dehydrated the next day. This refreshing cocktail is versatile, made with red, white, or sparkling wine.
You can add oranges, berries, melons, or various other fruits depending on what you like. But the sweetness and fruity flavors can disguise the alcohol, making it tricky to pace yourself.
If you enjoy sangria, try making it ahead and chilling it well. Adding a little fizz with club soda just before serving can make it feel lighter but remember, the alcohol content is still there.
Moscow Mule
A Moscow Mule is a refreshing mix of vodka, ginger beer, and lime. It’s easy to drink and often served in a cool copper mug, which makes it feel special.
That simplicity can be a bit sneaky, though. Because it’s light and fizzy, you might find yourself having more than a few without realizing how much alcohol you’ve consumed.
Adding twists like fruits or herbs may make the drink even tastier, but they don’t reduce the chances of a hangover. The strong ginger flavor can also irritate your stomach when mixed with alcohol.
Irish Car Bomb
This infamous drink packs a unique mix of flavors. It’s made by dropping a shot of Irish whiskey and Irish cream into a glass of Guinness.
The rich stout and creamy sweetness blend for a surprisingly smooth sip. However, the combination of heavy cream, high alcohol, and carbonation can hit your stomach hard.
It’s easy to underestimate how strong it is. The name “Irish Car Bomb” is also controversial, as it refers to a painful part of Irish history.
Ordering it in Irish communities could offend some people. Many bartenders suggest choosing alternatives like the Irish Slammer or Dublin Drop instead.
