1. Pickle juice – Eastern Europe’s salty saviour

If you’ve ever cracked open a jar of pickles and thought: “What if I drank this brine?”, you’re not alone. Pickle juice is a beloved hangover remedy, especially in Eastern Europe. Packed with potassium and sodium, it helps replenish the electrolytes your body desperately craves after a night of heavy drinking.

South Africans who love their gherkins might find this cure oddly appealing! In fact, pickle juice has become so trendy that some bars in New York serve it as a chaser for bourbon. But according to Alexandra, a Reddit user from Switzerland: “It’s more of a test of courage than a cure.” Would you dare?

2. Prairie Oyster – the Wild West’s hangover hero

Straight out of the American frontier, the Prairie Oyster is a hangover cocktail that’s bizarre, bold and surprisingly scientific. The recipe? A raw egg yolk floating in tomato juice, with a dash of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt and pepper.

While it might look like something from a horror movie, the egg yolk contains cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde the toxin causing your hangover misery. Sure, it may not sound like your Sunday morning vibe but desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

3. Lemon on the armpits – a Puerto Rican pre-party ritual

Now here’s a quirky one: to prevent a hangover, some Puerto Ricans swear by rubbing lemon under their armpits before drinking. Yes, you read that right. The idea is that it prevents dehydration and helps your body handle alcohol better. While there’s no scientific backing for this citrusy hack, it’s a fun anecdote to share at your next braai. And hey, at least it smells nice!

4. Olive Oil shots

In Russia, downing a shot of olive oil before drinking is believed to coat the stomach, slowing alcohol absorption and minimising the dreaded morning-after effects.

While it’s not exactly appetizing, this remedy might not be too far off the mark fats can slow the rate at which alcohol enters your bloodstream. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, swap your pre-party tequila shot for olive oil. Just don’t blame us if it doesn’t work.

5. Buffalo milk – Namibia’s boozy breakfast

Namibians have their own take on a hangover cure and it’s called Buffalo Milk. Spoiler alert: there’s no actual buffalo involved. This rich concoction combines clotted cream, dark rum, spiced rum, cream liqueur and whole cream. It’s like a boozy milkshake that hits both your sugar cravings and your alcohol tolerance.

6. Tape on the forehead – acupuncture hack

In Estonia, some people swear by placing tape on their forehead to cover acupuncture points between the eyebrows. This is said to relieve headaches and other hangover symptoms. South Africans who’ve seen this trick used for baby hiccups might find it oddly familiar. Whether it works or not, it’s a great conversation starter at breakfast.

7. Powerade and Rehydrate – TikTok’s Gen Z hack

Closer to home, South Africans are turning to TikTok for hangover advice. One popular cure involves mixing Powerade with rehydrated electrolytes to tackle dehydration like a pro. Having tried this one myself, I can vouch for its effectiveness as it provides a powerful hydration boost. Plus, it’s a lot more palatable than some of the other options on this list.

hangover cures

Hangover hacks: unusual remedies from around the globe