New Year\u2019s Day entertaining? A Bloody Mary Bar for brunch will definitely help with that headache \u2013 with a little hair of the dog! Set up a DIY station and let your guests mix up their own concoctions. Put out different spirits (vodka, whiskey, tequila, gin, etc.), my go-to housemade Balsamic Bloody Mary mix<\/a>, hot sauce, and lots of garnish goodies from pickled veggies to shrimp to beef jerky.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget to eat! Boosting your metabolism will make you feel better faster than anything. And for some reason, a bacon sandwich sometimes can be the magic cure. You\u2019ll feel better in no time! Hangover Helper<\/strong> Makes 1 drink<\/p>\n 1 packet raspberry- or orange-flavored Emergen-C Empty the packet of Emergen-C into an old-fashioned or juice glass. Measure in the vodka. Add the bitters and soda water and stir. Top with olive oil if desired. Drink and feel better!<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3672\/11522151053_047ab53d39_n.jpg\")
\nMy Hangover Helper works\u2026I swear!<\/strong>
\n(Photo from Kathy Casey\u2019s Sips & Apps<\/a>, Chronicle Books \u2013 Angie Norwood Browne)<\/p>\n
\nHappy New Year\u2019s! \u2013Kathy<\/p>\n
\nEmergen-C gives you a C- and B-vitamin boost and replaces some lost electrolytes, vodka is a little \u201chair of the dog,\u201d bitters is a digestif, soda supplies bubbles, and the olive oil . . . well, an old bootlegger once told me that a small spoonful was good for coating a morning-after stomach.<\/p>\n
\n1 oz vodka or gin
\n2 dashes Angostura bitters
\n4 oz chilled soda water
\n1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil (optional)<\/p>\n