You say only to snack? We generally agree, but there are nuances.
Although we have repeatedly written that it is best to have vodka with hot protein food, the tradition of chasing it still exists. Since this is the case, let's figure out how to do it properly. If even British scientists are silent on this matter, not to mention others, we will have to figure it out ourselves.
On one hand, a chaser dilutes vodka, making its effect less sharp. On the other hand, it also dilutes the fats present in the snack, reducing their neutralizing effect. Additionally, the concentration of the enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase decreases, which is present in men both in the stomach and in the blood (in women, it is only in the blood) and is responsible for processing alcohol. The conclusion is simple: if you have a table set with good meat or fish snacks, abandon the idea of a chaser; you don’t need it. However, if the menu is modest and drinking is inevitable — well, what can you do, it’s better to chase than to snack on candy. Enzymes are enzymes, but they struggle with vodka alone.
Nothing Carbonated
To start with — no carbonated drinks, mineral water is no exception. Bubbles speed up the absorption of alcohol. This is precisely why people drink whiskey with soda. But we are not going to sit with one glass all evening, so that’s not our way.
When combined with vodka, the only thing worse than soda is beer. You can chase vodka with beer only if you have set a goal to quickly cloud your mind.
Sweet juices containing sugar or fruit drinks — also no. Similarly, juices without added sugar but naturally sweet. The body also needs to process sugar or fructose — this creates competition with alcohol for the attention of her majesty, the liver. As a result, intoxication occurs sooner.
Energy drinks, besides being sweet, are categorically contraindicated with vodka. They put additional strain on the heart, and this is by no means a theoretical calculation.
Milk, Birch Juice, Brine
Milk and dairy products? From a chemical standpoint, they can be an excellent chaser. Animal fats slow down the absorption of alcohol, resulting in a milder and more gradual intoxication. But such a chaser does not pair well with snacks. Not to mention the aesthetic side of the issue — your drinking companions will not understand you. It’s better to save the kefir for the morning.
So what remains? Unsweetened juices will do: tomato, birch (almost water, but with minerals, vitamins, and trace elements). Also, not too concentrated brines: cucumber, or better yet, cabbage, which contains succinic acid. The latter helps minimize alcohol poisoning.
And what about water? In theory, it is a universal diluent, but in practice, chasing with water brings little joy. However, if you drink two or three glasses of water an hour or two after consuming vodka before bed, the hangover in the morning will not be as severe. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so a preemptive strike will not hurt at all.
