By Julie R Butler
So, you’ve been enjoying time with friends and loved ones and have had a bit too much to drink. Where can you turn for help the next morning? Well, I suggest you pay attention to what Mexicans do. After all, they’re renowned for being both fun loving and resilient. Mexicans certainly have plenty of experience overindulging, considering their long history with spirits such as pulque, charanda, mezcal, and tequila. So it’s not surprising that there are a number of Mexican hangover cures that may help you recover after you’ve had too much fun.
The Mexican Breakfast of Champions
My favorite Mexican cure for la cruda is also my favorite Mexican breakfast. Chilaquiles are made of lightly fried corn tortilla sections bathed in sauce and topped with cream and crumbly Mexican cheese. Maybe the secret to their curing power is the perfect combination of carbs, protein, and grease. Maybe it’s the picante of the sauce. Or perhaps it’s entirely psychosomatic. Whatever the case, chilaquiles con huevos al gusto are easy to make at home using leftover tortillas, and they’re a great way to start your morning – especially those difficult ones.
Tacos and Tortas to Ease Your Hangover Pain
When it comes to carbs, protein, grease, and a bite of picante, a breakfast plate of chilaquiles isn’t the only Mexican dish that fills the bill. There are a few street vendor faves that could offer help recovering from a night on the town:
- Tacos de Barbacoa: Whether you prefer them doroditos (golden-fried) or blanditos (soft), these beef-filled tacos will soak up any lingering alcohol in your system. They can be made spicy or bland with condiments, according to the state of your stomach lining.
- Tortas Ahogadas: “Drowned sandwiches” are a Jalisco thing where they take a bolillo (bread roll), stuff it with meat, and then soak it in spicy red sauce. Many a Guadalajareño swears by these flavorful soggy sandwiches to steady their nerves after a fun night out.
- Carnitas: The “little meats” in these tacitos from Michoacán are made with pieces of tender, juicy pork that have been seasoned and slowly cooked before being chopped and folded into tortillas. Best eaten right away at the taco stand.
Mexican Stews that Soothe the Soul
While the US has its chicken soup, Mexico has its own traditional stews that are labored over for many hours and served at family gatherings, and thus they hold special places in the hearts and souls of the Mexican people. Their hearty broths, along with their status as comfort foods, also provide curative powers to those experiencing the pain of too much drink the night before.
- Menudo: Beef stomach in a garlicky sauce may not be for everyone; but for those who know and love it, there’s nothing better for a queasy stomach than a warm bowl of menudo.
- Pozole: This hominy and meat stew is another Mexican comfort food that is considered a cure for colds, flu, and hangovers. It is enjoyed throughout the country, and it is so beloved that you really shouldn’t mess with authentic Mexican pozole unless you want to become the next Twitter meme!
Oh lord. This is awful and should have never been allowed. https://t.co/PtgMHW34e4— Shoptezuma.com (@Shoptezuma) September 19, 2019
The Hair of the Chihuahua
This remedy for la cruda is more of a postponement than a cure. But if you’re going to go with “the hair of the dog that bit you,” make sure it’s a Mexican dog! A tangy, refreshing michelada will provide your body with salts, some protein, and a bit of a bite, even as you’re chasing your hangover with yet more beer.
