I’m Sick and My Wine Glass Is Judging Me: What to Drink Instead
Let me be very clear: I am sick. Like, the kind of sick where you sound like you’ve been gargling gravel and your body has forgotten how to regulate temperature. And my beloved Petite Sirah—my ride-or-die, my daily glass of sanity—is sitting on the counter looking at me like I’ve committed treason.
Because here’s the truth nobody tells you: when you’re sick, wine is a lie. It tastes wrong. It makes your throat angrier. It’s like drinking liquid regret with a side of “why did I do this to myself.”
So what’s a lady to do when her wine glass has abandoned her in her time of need? Turn to the hard stuff, obviously. But not just any hard stuff—strategic, medicinal, “I’m still sophisticated even though I can’t breathe through my nose” cocktails.
Here are my go-tos when I’m too sick for wine but too stubborn to drink tea like some kind of Puritan.
1. Honey, Whiskey, Lemon & Grated Ginger
This is my personal sick-day savior. Hot water, a generous pour of whiskey, fresh lemon juice, honey, and—here’s the key—freshly grated ginger. Not ground ginger from a jar that’s been in your cabinet since 2019. Freshly grated. Add a generous splash of hot water to open up your sinuses.
It tastes like a hug from someone who actually likes you, and the ginger cuts through the congestion like nothing else. I make this approximately 47 times a day when I’m sick, and I regret nothing.
2. Bourbon & Orange Juice (The Husband’s Way)
My husband swears by this, and I’ll admit: the man’s onto something. Bourbon (he uses Woodford because even when dying, he has standards) and fresh orange juice. That’s it.
It sounds insane. It tastes like breakfast decided to get interesting. The vitamin C from the OJ tricks you into thinking you’re being healthy, and the bourbon makes you stop caring that you’re not.
3. The Hot Toddy (Because We’re Not Barbarians)
I know, I know—this is the most obvious one on the list. But you can’t talk about sick-day drinks without acknowledging the OG. Whiskey, honey, lemon, hot water. Grandma approved. Actually works.
The beauty of a hot toddy is that it’s socially acceptable to drink at 10 a.m. when you’re sick. No one’s judging you. You’re medicating.
Whiskey Recs Worth Raiding Your Partner’s Stash For:
Speaking of medicating—these are all Mr. Wine & Drama’s bottles, which means they’re fair game when I’m dying on the couch. Uncle Nearest green label, Glenmorangie 12-year, or Maker’s Mark all work beautifully in any of these whiskey-based drinks. He hasn’t noticed yet. (He will when he reads this. Hi, honey.)
4. The Vitamin C Hustler
This is for when you want to feel like you’re doing something virtuous but also want to get a little drunk about it. Gin, fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, and a teaspoon of orange marmalade.
Throw it all in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake until your arms hurt (you need the exercise anyway since you’ve been horizontal for three days), and strain into a glass.
It’s basically a medicinal Tom Collins that went to finishing school. The citrus makes you feel like you’re flooding your system with immune support. The marmalade makes you feel sophisticated. The gin makes you stop caring whether any of this is actually helping.
That’s damn delicious.
5. The Fever Dream
Okay, this one’s unhinged, but hear me out: tequila, honey, a pinch of cayenne, mango juice, and hot water.
I know. I know. But the cayenne opens up your sinuses, the mango juice hides the fact that you’re drinking tequila before noon, and the honey soothes your throat. It’s like a spicy, tropical fever dream in a mug, and honestly? When you’re this sick, why not lean into the chaos.
The Bottom Line
Look, I’m not a doctor. (Shocking, I know.) But I am someone who refuses to suffer through a cold while drinking sad chamomile tea like some kind of medieval peasant. If I’m going to be miserable, I’m going to be miserable with a cocktail in hand.
And when I’m finally better and can taste things again? That Petite Sirah and I are going to have a reunion.
Stay hydrated (with whiskey),
Alexandra “I’m my family’s doctor, but definitely not yours” Andersen
