Feeling under the weather with a stuffy nose, scratchy throat, or nagging cough? Sometimes all you want is something soothing to help you feel a little better. While alcohol isn’t exactly medicine, certain drinks have been used for generations as natural remedies to ease cold and cough symptoms. That’s where the idea of finding the best alcohol for cold and cough comes in.
But before you grab a bottle, it’s important to know how alcohol actually affects your body when you’re sick, and which drinks can genuinely help you feel more comfortable. Let’s discuss it further here!
Can Alcohol Really Help with a Cold or Cough?
No, alcohol cannot treat or cure a cold or cough. Colds are caused by viruses, and there are over 200 different ones that can trigger the illness. Since a cold is viral, there’s no actual cure for it as your body simply needs time to fight it off.
Most colds are mild and usually clear up on their own within 10 to 14 days without any medical treatment. The same goes for a cough. A cough is often just your body’s way of clearing mucus or irritants from your throat and lungs, and it usually comes hand-in-hand with a cold.
While alcohol might feel soothing in the moment, it doesn’t actually fix the root problem. In fact, alcohol can irritate your throat further, dehydrate your body, and even weaken your immune system, making it harder to recover quickly.
Health experts generally recommend avoiding alcohol when you’re sick. And if you don’t normally drink, they advise against starting for any reason, even when you have a cold or cough.
So, while a small amount of alcohol in a warm drink might help you relax or sleep, it’s not medicine. The real keys to getting better are rest, hydration, and letting your immune system do its job.
Best Alcohol for Cold and Cough
While alcohol doesn’t actually cure a cold, certain drinks have been used in traditional remedies to help ease symptoms and provide temporary relief.
If you plan to drink, just remember too much alcohol can dehydrate you and actually make your symptoms worse. Here are some of the most commonly used options:
1. Whiskey or Brandy
Whiskey or brandy are the stars of many home remedies, especially the classic hot toddy. A hot toddy usually combines whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water. The warmth of the drink helps soothe a sore throat, the honey coats and calms irritation, and the lemon provides a little boost of vitamin C.
Brandy, similarly, is often taken with honey for cough relief. But here’s the important part: the alcohol itself isn’t what makes you feel better but more about the warmth, the honey, and the soothing nature of the drink.
Too much whiskey or brandy will dehydrate you, which can actually prolong your cold. Stick to small amounts if you choose to try this.
Our top whiskey recommendations at Minuman.com:
- Label 5 Classic Black Blended Whisky
- Glenfiddich 12yrs Single Malt Whisky
- Singleton 12yrs Single Malt Whisky
- Monkey Shoulder
- Auchentoshan 12yrs - Single Malt Whisky
2. Vodka
Vodka is sometimes used in folk remedies for colds, usually mixed with hot water, herbs, or teas. The combination of warmth and herbal ingredients can feel comforting to your throat and chest, and the light alcohol content may help you relax enough to rest.
However, vodka is a very neutral spirit, so it doesn’t offer much beyond the soothing warmth of the mix. As with any alcohol, too much vodka will do more harm than good by dehydrating your body and lowering your immune defenses.
Our vodka recommendations at Minuman.com:
3. Rum
Rum is another popular choice when it comes to warm alcoholic remedies. Mixed with hot water, honey, or lemon, rum-based drinks can help ease throat pain and even provide temporary relief for muscle aches that often come with a cold.
The warmth and sweetness make it a cozy comfort drink. But again, rum won’t fight off the virus causing your cold.
Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection and slowing down your recovery. Keep it light, and think of rum as a short-term soother rather than a treatment.
Several best rum recommendations at Minuman.com:
- Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold Rum
- Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum
- Myers Original Dark Rum
- Plantation - Original Dark Rum
- Kraken Black Spiced Rum
So, What’s the Best Move?
Consuming alcohol with the right choices can provide some comfort when you’re dealing with cold and cough symptoms. Always remember moderation is key, and if you’re feeling really unwell, it’s best to check in with your doctor.
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