Partying in Miami for New Year’s? These tips can help you avoid a painful hangover
Miami is one big party on New Year’s Eve. But sometimes, people party too hard and wake up weak, nauseated and with a pounding headache.
And while your family, friends or local bartender might have their signature hangover cures, like Cuban food, there isn’t a medically proven cure-all for hangovers.
But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of waking up with a massive hangover. And also steps you can take to feel better if you drank one too many beers, cocktails, or too much wine or champagne while waiting for Miami’s Big Orange to ring in 2026.
How to reduce hangover risk
The obvious answer is not drinking or drinking moderately, which according to the Mayo Clinic, means up to one alcoholic drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men 65 or younger.
However, if you’re planning to drink more than usual this holiday, one of the best ways to reduce your hangover chances is to stay hydrated, starting at least 24 to 48 hours before you start drinking, Dr. Michelle Pearlman told the Miami Herald in 2022.
Pearlman is CEO and co-founder of Prime Institute in Fort Lauderdale, which specializes in weight management and nutrition programs, sports nutrition, sexual health and men’s health services. She previously worked at the University of Miami Health System and is board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology and obesity medicine.
People also need to pay attention to what they’re eating and drinking. Instead of drinking juice, which is mostly sugar, the doctor recommends looking for drinks like Pedialyte that have “the perfect combination of glucose and sodium.”
And instead of burgers and fries, eat “nutrient density” food, she said, like bananas, apples, spinach, nuts or chickpeas. These types of food “have less calories, but more nutrients, more fiber, more protein, things that your body actually needs for normal function,” Pearlman said.
The doctor said people should also learn what their bodies can and cannot handle and adapt their eating and drinking habits accordingly. Some people are prone to hangovers if they drink red wine, for example. And as you get older, your body changes. So the number of drinks you could handle at 21 might not be the same at 50 or 60.
Do you have a hangover? Here’s what to do
If you wake up with a hangover, the Mayo Clinic recommends drinking lots of water and some fruit juice, which can help replenish vitamin C and build up energy. Take pain relief medication for your headache and eat “bland foods” like toast and crackers, which can boost your blood sugar and settle upset stomachs, the clinic says.
Keep in mind that aspirin can also irritate your stomach.
And remember, if you’re planning to drink a lot, make sure you have a way to get home safely, either by a designated driver or call a rideshare or taxi. Miami-Dade’s Metrorail and Metromover will be running regular weekday service, with extended hours until 2 a.m. Thursday. AAA is also offering drivers across Florida a free tow and ride home within a 10-mile radius through 6 a.m. Friday, even if you’re not a member.
What about IV therapy hangover cures? Do they really work?
One of the biggest risk factors of hangovers is dehydration. And sometimes, you’ll find a wellness center or clinic selling IV therapy hangover treatments. Hangover hospitals are common in the Florida Keys, for example.
Those places offer a variety of usually pricey “hangover cocktails,” which are marketed as being able to help you recover from a night of drinking.
Do they work?
While IV therapies that offer hydration solutions might help someone who is dehydrated, it can be risky because there aren’t many regulations on these types of services, Pearlman said.
There’s also a risk that if administered incorrectly, the IV could cause an infection. People might also be allergic to some of the fluid ingredients.
READ MORE: How about some tripe soup for that New Year’s hangover? Cures for the morning after
When should you see a doctor?
If you drink too much, you might get alcohol poisoning.
Speak with a doctor if you or someone you know starts to show signs of significant nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, blue-tinged or pale skin, can’t keep down liquids, has a faster heart rate, is experiencing a drop in blood pressure or has a severe headache, according to the Mayo Clinic and Pearlman.
And if they’re unconscious or can’t be awakened, seek medical care immediately, the Mayo Clinic says.
Some of the material in this story comes from Miami Herald archives.
