Alcohol has long been a central part of our social gatherings, celebrations, and even quiet nights. It’s glamorized in movies, debated in health studies, and deeply embedded in cultures worldwide. But with its prominence comes a steady stream of myths—some passed down like folk wisdom, others fueled by wishful thinking.
Does a cold shower sober you up? Can certain drinks make you more aggressive? It’s time to separate fact from fiction and debunk some of the most common misconceptions about alcohol.
"The Grain And The Grape!"
An old adage is, "Never mix the grain and the grape." It's a warning that suggests that mixing wine and beer will lead to a hangover. Oh, it's also a myth. It doesn't matter what type of alcohol you ingest. If you want to have wine and beer (in whatever order you want), you can.
A bigger issue is the quantity of alcohol you have. The more you drink, the worse your hangover will be.
Red For Red Meats...
If you're a fan of vino, you might know the general rule of thumb for wine pairings. The rule tells you to match the color of your wine to the color of your meat. So, red wine for steaks, raw tuna, and other red meats. White wine is often suggested for fish, chicken, and turkey breast.
Heads up! Sommeliers are quick to point out that this is a myth. You need to look for a wine that's as robust and flavorful as your food. Instead of a red Zinfandel, go for that heady Merlot or a deep yellow Muscadet when you eat that steak.
The Cure For A Hangover...
Every culture has a hangover cure. Whether it's black coffee, leche de tigre, dill pickles, or even a greasy burger from a diner, it doesn't matter. What matters is that those "cures" are all myths. Even if your sorority sister swears by her post-party ritual, it's important to know that only time can cure a hangover.
If anything, hangovers are better prevented than cured. Drink lots of water, or better yet, lay off the sauce. While it may seem like a fun time, the hangover is just not worth it.
Sober Via Showers
You might have heard people tell you to sober someone up by dunking them in a cold bath or by putting them in a hot shower. This is a common piece of advice passed around college party houses or even from a parent to their adult child.
Sorry! This is also a myth. The only way to get a person to sober up is through time. If they're drunk as a skunk, you have to wait it out.
The Price Is Right
When you go to a bar, do you zero in on the most expensive bottle you can buy? That might be a major mistake. A common myth among casual drinkers is that the price dictates how good a bottle of wine or liquor can be. In many cases, it's actually the cheaper options that offer a better flavor profile.
A good tip for drinkers who want a quality tipple is to ask a bartender which bottle they'd buy. Most bartenders have moments when they taste the liquor and cocktails they serve as a part of their training. While they might not talk about it upfront, they probably tasted everything their bar serves.
You might as well enjoy the fruits of their training.
Don't Shake It!
You may have heard that James Bond's idea of a martini ("shaken not stirred") is improper. Technically, that's true. Stirring is the traditional way to make a martini. However, there's a myth about this that keeps floating around.
People often hear that shaking a martini will "bruise" the gin. As many professional bartenders can tell you, this myth is laughably wrong. Shaking liquor shouldn't change its flavor! All it does is dilute the drink, which makes it a little less bitter.
The Green Fairy
Few alcoholic drinks are as notorious as absinthe. This is the drink that purportedly made Van Gogh go insane. How? Apparently, it's supposed to be so strong that it's hallucinogenic. However, this is a myth that continues to be perpetuated online.
The alcohol in absinthe isn't hallucinogenic. The wormwood that used to be added to the cocktail gave artists their legendary visions.
Alcohol Warms You
Did you ever have a person ask you to give them a drink as a way to get them warmed up? That warming sensation you feel isn't actually real, per se. Alcohol actually lowers your body temperature temporarily. This old myth really took flight after images of St. Bernards with brandy around their necks were used in advertisements.
Please take note. If your friend is going through hypothermia, alcohol can actually kill them by dropping their temperatures even lower.
Beer Belly
If you're going on a diet, you might have heard the phrase "beer belly" thrown around by people. A beer belly is an unusually round layer of belly fat that people often get when they're older. Most people assume it's only from heavy drinking. That's a myth.
A beer belly happens from excess calorie intake over decades, often paired with inactivity. The best way to get rid of a beer belly is through diet and exercise.
Not An Alcoholic
Most people have heard people say, "I'm not an alcoholic because I don't drink every day." Other variations include that they only have two glasses with dinner or that they just "cut loose" once in a while. Alcoholism doesn't require daily intake for a diagnosis.
While people don't like to think about it, the truth is that cravings and tolerance are a better measure of alcoholism. So this means that binge drinkers who pass out at bars are alcoholics. The same can be said of the person who insists on two glasses of cabernet as they dine every night.
Fact: A Carcinogen
People often tout the "health benefits" of drinking, but the truth is that it's a dangerous choice. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption is linked to cancer. That means that alcohol is a carcinogen. People who drink have higher rates of liver, breast, bowel, and oral cancers.
Research is being done to see if any other cancers can occur as a result of drinking. Either way, it's not a good look.
Fact 2: Deadly Withdrawals
Many drugs can be quite "cold turkey" with little to worry about in terms of safety. Alcohol is not that way. Alcohol withdrawal can cause Delerium Tremens, nicknamed "the shakes" by addicts. Delerium Tremens is a physical withdrawal disorder that can cause shaking, confusion, insomnia, and even death.
If you are trying to quit alcohol, talk to a doctor. It could save your life.
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