“OJ, electrolytes, B vitamins, ginger, and a little hair of the dog.”

Renowned local bartender Alonso de la Vega describes his hangover-curing elixir thusly. But most of those components come in various forms, so what exactly goes into this concoction? And does it really work?

Ingredients

• 1/2 glass Water
• 1/2 glass Orange Juice (choice of pulp level)
• 1 packet Emergen-C Original Formula (choice of flavor)
• 1 shot Ginger Juice
• 1/2 shot Top-Shelf Vodka

Quantities are inexact because Lonnie always just eyeballs them. Empty Emergen-C packet into a tall glass and fill halfway with cold water. Swirl to encourage powder to dissolve. Add orange juice, ginger juice, and vodka. Stir. Serve over ice if desired.

Lonnie keeps these ingredients on hand at home, but is it really worth the effort? Well, those who’ve sampled the potion swear by it.

“It’s mostly the alcohol that makes them feel better so quickly,” Lonnie says. “The fresh alcohol displaces the converted toxins leftover from the old alcohol, which eases the hangover symptoms. But you only need a little bit.” So what happens when that half-shot of vodka wears off? That’s where the rest comes in, he says. “The Emergen-C original formula has B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish your body. The OJ might be redundant, I dunno, but I feel like it lends a more natural flavor. And the ginger helps clear out the toxins. Beyond that, you just gotta rest and let your body do its work. It’s not a miracle cure, but it helps.”