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If you don’t like that feeling of pure alcohol going down your throat, the best solution is to have an alcohol chaser. The best chaser should improve your drinking experience by providing a contrasting texture and taste to your palate. I’ll talk about the top chasers in the market as well as teach you how to identify the best chasers for you.
Contents
My Top Chaser Available
The best chaser should have some sugars to help boost your energy levels. It should also have a strong unique taste to help neutralize the harshness of the liquor.
Pickle Juice
Pickle juice is one of the best chasers you can use to neutralize the burn after taking harsh alcohol. Unlike Pepsi soda, pickle juice is caffeine-free, so you don’t have to worry about nausea, increased heart rate, nervousness, and restlessness after taking it.
It also doesn’t contain added sugars, so you don’t have to worry about weight gain, tooth decay, or obesity. However, the lack of added sugars means you cannot use this juice to energize yourself after heavy drinking.
The high electrolytes content in this drink can help to prevent muscle cramps and balance your blood acidity levels. It can also help control the cellular fluid balance and regulate blood pressure.
Without artificial preservatives or flavors, there are no chemicals to conflict with the alcoholic drinks, so you can use it with any type of alcoholic drink.
Unlike ginger beer, pickle juice is packaged in bottles that might be inconvenient to store and carry together with carbonated beer cans. However, it smells like white vinegar, and the taste might not be pleasant to some people.
Pros
- Unlike Pepsi soda, pickle juice is caffeine-free and can’t cause restlessness and nervousness.
- Considering that it is 100% natural, you can use it with any alcoholic drink.
Cons
- The smell and the taste might not be pleasant to some people.
- The glass bottles are not convenient to store and carry.
- Proprietary formula inhibits the nerve signals that cause muscle cramps, keeping you on the road to...
- Formulated for endurance athletes, this pickle sports drink is also the ideal go-to for those who...
- This semi-translucent white liquid contains over 10 times the electrolytes of other sports drinks,...
Ginger Beer
Ginger beer is one of the oldest chasers and has been in the market since the 1800s. Unlike pickle juice, this chaser contains water, lemon juice, sugar, and ginger as the main ingredients. It also contains a unique bacterial culture popularly called a ginger beer plant. The ingredients give this beverage a bold and authentic flavor.
It is less sweet, spicier, and more carbonated than many ginger beers. If you love the fizz sound and the bubbles that are produced when you open the beer bottle, you will love the love of carbonation in this can.
The ingredients used in this beverage are all organic, and you don’t have to worry about artificial additives, which can lead to serious health implications. Also, it doesn’t contain high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives, leading to obesity and excessive weight gain.
This beverage has been certified as non-GMO, so you don’t have to worry about cancer risks. With only 30 fluid ounces per can, the can is compact enough to fit in a car’s door when traveling.
However, this size might not be your best bet if you are a heavy drinker. Unlike bottle packaging in pickle juice, the can packaging of this beverage ensures minimal air gets into contact with the beer, minimizing the chances of oxidation.
Pros
- The bold flavor in a ginger beer helps neutralize the harsh alcohol burn.
- It is non-GMO, which eliminates the risk of cancer.
Cons
- Like Pepsi soda, ginger beer comes in small mini cans, which can’t satisfy you if you are a heavy drinker.
- It can make your lips, mouth, and throat dehydrated.
- BOLD, AUTHENTIC FLAVOR: Spicier, less sweet, and more carbonated than other ginger beers
- REAL INGREDIENTS: Made with organic agave and lots of real ginger
- ALL NATURAL: No High Fructose Corn Syrup, No artificial flavors or preservatives
Pepsi Soda
Pepsi Soda is one of the most traditional chasers that offers a classic twist of flavors from cream to black cherry. Although this chaser is made of natural sugar, you can feel a honeyed aspect in the sweetness.
The black cherry soda version contains some herbal notes, which make it have a scent like that of cough syrup. The sweetness in Pepsi soda ensures that a small sip can counter the harshness of the liquor.
However, the high sugar content can cause health complications such as weight gain and obesity. On the positive side, these sugars can help to energize you, especially if you are a heavy drinker.
It comes in small 7.5 Oz cans, which allows you to finish the entire can of the chaser before it becomes flat. Unlike pickle juice, 1 Pepsi can contain 24 mg of caffeine, and drinking several cans per day can result in insomnia, increased heart rate, restlessness, and nervousness.
However, the small caffeine content in the sips you take when using it as a chaser can help to reduce fatigue and improve your memory. Like ginger beer, the packaging of this soda in the sleek mini cans allows you to store and carry them the same way you store and carry your carbonated beer cans.
Pros
- The caffeine content can help improve your memory and minimize fatigue.
- The high sugar content can help energize you after heavy drinking.
Cons
- Unlike pickle juice, the added sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity.
- Excessive drinking of Pepsi soda can lead to insomnia.
- 10 count of Pepsi 7.5 ounce sleek, mini cans—little cans, epic satisfaction
- The bold, refreshing cola born in New Bern, NC in 1898 and still bottled in the USA
- Perfect for parties, meals, and celebrations big and small
Features to Consider for the Best Chaser
There is a wide range of chasers you can use, and the best one will depend on the type of alcoholic drink you’re taking and your taste and preferences. Here are some key features you should consider when choosing a chaser.
Additionally, the table below provides you with a breakdown of some of these key features for easier digestion.
| Chaser | Ingredients | Caffeine | Additives |
| Ginger Beer | Lemon juice, Ginger, Added sugars | Caffeine-free | Natural |
| Pepsi Soda | Added sugars, herbal flavors | Caffeinated | Artificial |
| Pickle Juice | Only Pickle juice | Caffeine-free | Natural |
Artificial Colors and Chemicals
There are many chasers in the market, and some of them contain artificial colors, chemicals, and preservatives. Although these artificial colors and chemicals are added to make the chaser look appealing or improve the taste of the chaser, they might have serious health implications.
For instance, the acidic nature of some of these chemicals might cause an imbalance in blood pH. They can also discolor and erode the tooth enamel leading to tooth decay. That means you only have to take several sips of these chasers as excessive drinking can affect your overall health.
Fortunately, some chasers such as pickle juice are 100% natural and have no adverse health implications. This gives you the flexibility to use it with any alcoholic drink as there are no conflicting chemicals. You can also drink any amount without worrying about the implications of excessive drinking.
Added Sugars
You may want an alcohol chaser that contains some sugars, such as Pepsi, as it can quickly neutralize the harshness of the alcohol. Added sugars can also help boost your energy levels in case of excessive drinking. However, if the chaser is loaded with sugars, it can make you feel sluggish or even lead to an energy crash.
The energy spikes caused by these sugars can be dangerous, especially if you are trying to regulate your blood sugar levels. A rapid increase in blood sugar levels can cause an increase in oxidative inflammation and stress, which might result in various chronic diseases.
Keep in mind that all types of sugars can erode your enamel leading to tooth decay. They can also lead to weight gain and obesity, so you should not excessively drink chasers that contain added sugars.
Caffeine Content
Caffeine is a vital ingredient in most cases, but caffeine content in the chaser matters. For instance, a can of Pepsi contains 24 mg of caffeine which is adequate to boost your memory and reduce fatigue.
However, excessive caffeine intake can lead to health complications such as increased heart rate, restlessness, insomnia, and nervousness. That means you should be careful of the amount of caffeine-containing chasers you take.
For example, the recommended caffeine intake per day should be less than 400 mg. Keep in mind that caffeine can be addictive, and frequent or excessive caffeine intake can lead to addiction.
Nutritional Benefits
Apart from being a chaser and boosting your energy levels, you will want a drink with some nutritional benefits. You can tell which chaser will give you nutritional benefits by looking at the ingredients included.
For instance, ginger beer contains ginger and lemon juice as the main ingredients. The ginger in this beer contains antioxidants that help fight off chronic diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, and high blood pressure.
These antioxidants also help to promote healthy aging. On the other hand, lemon juice helps relieve a sore throat, fight cancer and prevent kidney stones. It also clears the skin and promotes weight loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Drink the Chaser Before Drinking the Liquor?
Yes, it is possible to take a small sip of the chaser and then hold it in your mouth before taking the shot. However, it is preferable to keep your chaser ready, take the shot, and then immediately take the chaser.
Can I Get Hangovers if I Use Water as a Chaser?
Using water as a chaser will not affect whether you’ll get hangovers or not. The reason for getting hangovers is the lack of the appropriate enzymes to expel the alcohol from the body.
What Should Be the Duration Between Shots of Alcohol?
Considering that many people have an alcohol content of around 0.08 by the time they are taking their third drink, you should wait for around 1 hour. If you have already taken more than three drinks, it is advisable to wait for 30 minutes more between drinks.
What Makes a Good Alcohol Chaser?
A good alcohol chaser compliments the taste and flavor of the alcohol you are taking rather than completely dulling it. It should also have some sweetness that can neutralize the harshness of the alcohol.
Final Thoughts
The market is flooded with different alcohol chasers, and it can be challenging to identify the right one to go for. Although the best chaser will depend on the alcoholic drink you are taking. You can’t go wrong with any option from the above list.
