If you’re like me, you love a good gin and tonic – but sometimes they give you heartburn. I used to think it was because I was eating too much before drinking, or that I had a weak stomach. But it turns out there’s a better explanation: the gin and tonic combination is one of the most common causes of heartburn.
Short-term heartburn is caused by the highly acidic nature of many alcoholic drinks. This is because alcohol increases the release of acid from your stomach and also slows down its emptying time so that it remains in contact with the stomach lining for longer periods. It’s just not as common an issue with wine because wine has a fat content that lubricates your gut and helps buffer against increased acid production.
Glugs of gin mixed with tonic water (or cola) can play havoc on the sensitive lower oesophageal sphincter at the junction between your stomach and chest – this ring tightens like a valve to stop reflux but gets weaker over time – making you more prone to heartburn if you drink regularly.
But there are a few tricks you can use to avoid or minimize the risk of heartburn. Firstly, try drinking your gin and tonics through a straw. This will help reduce the amount of liquid that goes into your stomach at once.
Secondly, eat something before you drink. not only will this help to buffer the alcohol’s effects, but it will also help to fill you up and stop you from over-indulging.
Finally, if you’re still having problems with heartburn after trying these tips, try switching to a lower-acidic gin like Gordon’s or Beefeater.
So if you love your G&Ts but don’t want them giving you heartburn, just follow these simple tips and you’ll be able to enjoy them without any trouble!
Is this an allergic reaction to alcohol?
No. An allergic reaction to alcohol is called anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, and will usually occur immediately following the ingestion of food that has alcohol in it. Sometimes alcohol can also cause a severe allergic reaction called contact urticaria (also known as skin hives).
If you have been experiencing signs that might be suggestive of an allergic reaction we recommend consulting your physician who can diagnose and treat this issue.
As well, if you believe that you’ve experienced symptoms related to allergies while consuming alcohol please consult your doctor immediately because symptoms of a life-threatening emergency caused by this type of allergy are not easily resolved without medical attention leading to death within minutes.
Symptoms may include: Disorientation and confusion; sudden drop in blood pressure; wheezing or difficulty breathing; rapid, weak pulse; and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat. If any of these symptoms occur, seek emergency medical attention.
How can you prevent heartburn after drinking a gin and tonic?
Make sure to wait two hours for the alcohol to fully clear from your system before eating a heavy meal. Dine on low-fat foods, avoid acidic beverages, and don’t overeat. Avoid fatty fried food that can cause indigestion and keep away from foods with high sugar content as this could lead to an increase in gastrointestinal acids.
How do I cure my heartburn after drinking a hot drink with liquor in it like vodka and coffee or whiskey?
Chocolate and peppermint are two of the most popular flavors during the holiday season. But for people who suffer from heartburn, these flavors can be a real pain. If you’re looking for a festive drink that won’t leave you feeling miserable later, try one of these recipes:
For coffee lovers: Mix 1-ounce vodka, 2 ounces cold coffee, and 1-ounce heavy cream. Shake well with ice and strain into a glass.
For whiskey drinkers: In a shaker with cracked ice, combine 1½ ounces bourbon, ¾ ounce sweetened condensed milk, and ½ ounce chocolate syrup. Shake well and strain into a glass.
Both of these drinks are creamy and decadent, without being too spicy or acidic. They’re perfect for enjoying during the holiday season – without worrying about later heartburn symptoms.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic drink option, try mixing together 1 cup cold milk, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract. Shake well and serve chilled. This drink is refreshing and festive, without any of the burn!
What can I eat before going out to prevent heartburn while consuming alcohol?
You can prevent this by eating a high-protein meal before going out, as this will help to slow the absorption of alcohol. Choose low-fat foods that are easy to digest, such as grilled chicken or fish, steamed vegetables, or broth-based soups.
And if you do experience heartburn while drinking, try drinking a glass of water between alcoholic beverages, or eat a small snack like peanuts or almonds. This will help to absorb some of the alcohol and reduce the chances of experiencing severe heartburn later on.
It is important to be aware that alcohol can cause heartburn in some people. Symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation in the chest, throat, or stomach; a sour taste in the mouth; and excessive belching. If you experience any of these symptoms after drinking a gin and tonic or other alcoholic drink, seek emergency medical attention.
11 Different Gin and Tonic Recipes to Help Alleviate Your Digestive Issues
The medical term for heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The symptoms of this condition are the result of the part of food and liquid that flows up from your stomach into your esophagus. This can happen when you lie down, eat a large meal, or drink alcohol.
Many wonderful drinks contain ingredients known to help offset the severity of GERD and make it go away completely or keep it in remission without medication. These include hot water with lemon and honey before bedtime; dulse seaweed soup; agar-agar jelly; fennel tea with apple juice; ginger tea after a meal including wine. A cotton swab dipped in peppermint oil dissolved in water may be effective in stopping an attack.
The following recipes are all variations on the classic gin and tonic and should help to alleviate your digestive issues:
1) Gin and Tonic with lime
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 3 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin and lime juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.
2) Gin and Tonic with cucumber
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 1 ounce cucumber juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and cucumber juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a cucumber slice, if desired.
3) Gin and Tonic with grapefruit
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and grapefruit juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a grapefruit slice, if desired.
4) Gin and Tonic with seltzer
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and tonic water with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with seltzer. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.
5) Gin and Tonic with club soda
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 2 ounces club soda
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and club soda with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.
6) Gin and Tonic with orange
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and orange juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with an orange slice, if desired.
7) Gin and Tonic with cranberry
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and cranberry juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a cranberry slice, if desired.
8) Gin and Tonic with peach
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces peach nectar
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and peach nectar with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a peach slice, if desired.
9) Gin and Tonic with strawberry
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces strawberry syrup
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and strawberry syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a strawberry slice, if desired.
10) Gin and Tonic with cherry
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces maraschino cherry syrup
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and cherry syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired.
11) Gin and Tonic with grape
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 0.5 ounces lime juice
- 0.5 ounces grape juice
- 2 ounces tonic water
Instructions: Shake gin, lime juice, and grape juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a grape slice, if desired.
Gin and tonics are a classic cocktail that can be made with any number of variations. With so many different flavors to choose from, there’s sure to be one that you’ll love. Be sure to try out all of the recipes in this article and find your favorite!
