Fact or Fiction: Do Sugary Drinks Give You Hangovers?

Anyone that's experienced intense hangovers after drinking alcohol packed with added sugar can tell you that their hangover was much worse than a hangover caused by drinking straight liquor.

But do sugary drinks and cocktail mixers actually cause terrible hangovers? Of course, we're talking about staying in bed all day and ordering junk food hangovers.

Let's discuss.

What's The Healthiest Drink Mixer?

Wanting to know what makes a healthy beverage mixer? Determining how much sugar or alcohol is in your drink can be painstaking and difficult. But, when it comes to drinks, many want the taste without the calories and sugar. If this is your goal, there are a few healthier options.

Coconut water is an excellent option for a healthier drink mixer. Coconut water has low sugar content and contains electrolytes that help hydrate your body.

Sparkling water and club sodas are also great choices for adding some fizz to your drinks, without loading up on more sugar. Another healthy mixer is freshly-squeezed juices, such as orange or grapefruit juice, cucumber mint, and ginger lime are also good options. These are much better options than pre-mixed juices containing added sugar and preservatives. However, most of these don't have that extra kick needed to take a drink from good to extraordinary.

That's where our Dirty Pelican Organic Cocktail Mixers fill the void. Our mixers are made with real, organic fruit and spices, providing a delicious flavor without sacrificing your health.

But, to answer the question of whether sugary drinks give you a hangover, the answer is...

Yes, Sugar Does Cause More Intense Hangovers - But There's A Catch

Studies show that sugary drinks can cause more severe hangovers. However, according to Amargo Couture, a registered dietician at Staten Island University Hospital, it's not the actual sugar that causes the hangovers, but the fact that those delicious mixers are actually masking the harsh taste of your favorite vodka or tequila, facilitating the chances that you'll drink more.

So what's a partygoer to do? Especially during the holiday season, when your office party and New Year Eves plans call for celebrations. How can you make sure that you won't wake up feeling like there's a construction crew jackhammering inside your head?

The secret is...

Organic Cocktail Mixers, Like Ours

There are plenty of sugar-free cocktail mixers out on the market. Some are better than others, but what you should truly be looking for is not whether there are added sugars but the ingredient list. Zero sugar is not the goal. The goal is ingredients that are all-natural and organic minus the empty calories that make their way to most mixers.

Our Organic Cocktail Mixers are of the highest quality and use only the finest ingredients. Never artificial ingredients or hard-to-say names. Let's use our best-selling Jalapeño Margarita Mixer as an example. With only six ingredients, such as lime juice and agave nectar, this cocktail mixer doesn't sacrifice flavor and won't cause severe hangovers. Why? Because the all-natural and organic ingredients actually mitigate the effects of alcohol on the body.

The Type of Sugar Matters

All of our Dirty Pelican Organic Cocktail Mixers use agave nectar and real fruit to sweeten your alcoholic beverage (or mocktail). So even though we're not zero sugar, we don't use deceptive branding or any ingredients that require a chemistry degree to understand. For example, take a look at soda. Most soft drinks that claim to be sugar-free or low-sugar are actually packed with additives that are terrible for you. Some of these artificial ingredients are linked to health issues such as inflammation and even cancer.

Avoid The Trends

Keto-friendly, gluten-free, low carb, net carbs. These are all great diet fads. But let's be real, when you're celebrating a year of hard work at your company's holiday party, the last thing you want to worry about is keeping up with your diet. The goal is to have fun. And there's no fun in worrying. That's why our mixers are the next best thing in cocktail mixes besides club soda or sparkling water. Our mission is to strive for both flavor and health. This is no easy task, but it's an important one.

Keep It Simple

We now know that high sugar content causes more severe hangovers, but the effects can be mitigated if you opt for all-natural and organic alternatives. So next time you're at the Wine and Spirits store trying to figure out what to bring to the New Year's Eve party or pool party, remember to keep it simple. Avoid the trends and choose a quality organic cocktail mixer or one of our Dirty Pelican Organic cocktail mixers.

We leave you with a delicious recipe using our Michelin-quality Pelican Pineapple Fig mixer. With hints of ginger and a pleasant surprise of rosemary, it's sure to be a great way to ring in the New Year. Cheers!

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Dirty Pelican Pineapple Fig Organic Cocktail Mixer
• 1.5 oz vodka or tequila
• Squeeze of lime juice
• Ice

Instructions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 3 oz of Pineapple Fig Mixer, vodka or tequila, and a squeeze of lime juice. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well mixed. Strain into an ice-filled glass.

Enjoy your night! And your mornings without the hangover.