Dram for a head cold - go cheap or go for the gold?

[jruddy]

Blast! There is a summer cold going around and I've caught it!

So... when you have a head cold, do you feed it the good stuff or the cheapest blend you can find?

[IainB]

It depends. The best think for a cold is a hot one. The classic Irish Hot Whiskey is Powers, a relatively inexpensive blend, suger, a lemon studded wiht cloves, and, of course, hot water. This, of course, can probably be done with any blend of any nationality. Anyway, a few of these and the symptoms will be but a distant hazy memory.

For a straight dram, go for a good one and have plenty, just to cheer yourself up!

[Cam]

I voted 'the cheap stuff', but then that's all relative. To some all I have is the 'cheap' stuff, that being nothing over C$100.00 a bottle. To others I'm far too extravagant when it comes to buying whisky. At any rate, when it comes to 'treating' a cold, it's usually Canadian whisky, lemon, and hot water.

Cam

[IainB]

At any rate, when it comes to 'treating' a cold, it's usually Canadian whisky, lemon, and hot water.

Cam

Sounds like we're pretty much in agreement on the remedy then.

[TheLaddie]

Wouldn't dream of drinking the good stuff knowing I wasn't going to be able to enjoy it.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

IainB hit the nail on the head and powers to booth ...

[jcasazza]

I go for the JW Black with a head cold. clears things right up

[Deactivated Member]

Anyway, a few of these and the symptoms will be but a distant hazy memory.

And everything else, too!

Whatever you choose, I recommend going peat-free. Sometimes peat seems to swell the sinuses. Cask-strength would be nice, but if you're going cheap, Powers is as good as anything.

[pkt77242]

Last time I had whisky with a cold it was Glenlivet Nadurra, a little sugar, lemon and hot water. The fact that it was at cask strength seemed to make it work better.

Sean

[killerwhale]

I voted cheap stuff.... if it doesn't do the job, try a dram of something good, if that doesn't work..... keep trying!!!!!!!!!!

[bernstein]

Anyway, a few of these and the symptoms will be but a distant hazy memory.

And everything else, too!

Whatever you choose, I recommend going peat-free. Sometimes peat seems to swell the sinuses. Cask-strength would be nice, but if you're going cheap, Powers is as good as anything.

I disagree! Caught the summer cold over the weekend with lots of work (mainly talking, talking, talking...) to do, including singing "solo" in our full-packed church, and even the idea of a dram of my Ardbeg TEN cleared my sinuses with great success, not to talk about the real thing, of course....

[Deactivated Member]

It doesn't surprise me that not everyone has the same reaction. Worth taking note of, anyway.

[shoganai]

I don't get the same reaction from peaty whisky, but I'm fairly certain I'm allergic to hops, at least the kind they use in Victory Hop Devil. Just one or two of those and the next day my eyes are swollen shut.

[Mark]

I would always use the cheap stuff or the bad stuff such as that bottle of Ledaig which i stupidly purchased and couldnt even force myself to drink. But i was able to consume it in a hot toddy when i had a bad cold.

Mark

[Di Blasi]

Cheap, as in poor quality, is never good or good for you and your body, especially when sick. If you're drinking it to get better, or feel better, or chase the illness away, don't go with cheap, go without or go with a good quality whisky, even though you won't enjoy it as much as if you were feeling your best. Feel better!

[TF]

Laphroaig 10 with honey and lemon has always worked for me.

For more serious cases (man flu etc), this is a very effective remedy:

Ingredients:
1/4 pint cheap whisky
Juice of 1 lemon
1 level tsp chilli powder
As much crushed garlic as you can stand

Method:
Pour whisky, lemon juice and honey into a pint glass.
Fill up glass with hot water, stir to dissolve honey, then add chilli powder and garlic.
Drink as fast as possible while sitting in the hottest bath you can bear.
Towel off and retire to bed.
Do not, repeat DO NOT, ask wife for a cuddle.

Comments: The key here is speed. You really can't afford to let this one get cold. The amount of sweat that you will emit while in the bath is incredible. This is for emergencies only, but I once managed to survive an 18 hour stock count on a couple of these. (I managed a wine shop in a previous life).

[martin grant]

Laphroaig 10 with honey and lemon has always worked for me.

For more serious cases (man flu etc), this is a very effective remedy:

Ingredients:
1/4 pint cheap whisky
Juice of 1 lemon
1 level tsp chilli powder
As much crushed garlic as you can stand

Method:
Pour whisky, lemon juice and honey into a pint glass.
Fill up glass with hot water, stir to dissolve honey, then add chilli powder and garlic.
Drink as fast as possible while sitting in the hottest bath you can bear.
Towel off and retire to bed.
Do not, repeat DO NOT, ask wife for a cuddle.

Comments: The key here is speed. You really can't afford to let this one get cold. The amount of sweat that you will emit while in the bath is incredible. This is for emergencies only, but I once managed to survive an 18 hour stock count on a couple of these. (I managed a wine shop in a previous life).

A 1/4 pint of whisky!! Thats one big glass full.

[Paul A Jellis]

Cheap, or rather, cheaper stuff. No point in wasting something good if you can't taste it.

[Quaichuser]

I've always preferred dark rum as a cold remedy.

Bring a mug of Vernors gingerale to a boil in a sauce pan.
Throw in a slice of lemon, some cloves & ginger and a tablespoon of honey.

Pour 1-2 ozs of good dark rum. (Cask strength if you have it) into the mug.
Strain the contents of the sauce pan into the mug.
Climb into bed and drink the toddy while it's hot.
Say goodnight Gracie!

[LeoDLion]

Gargle with the cheap stuff, couple of times, maybe three. Lie down for half an hour and gargle again. Dont forget to swallow or the effect will be negligible. Repeat as needed or until you fall sleep.

When awake, repeat if you are not feeling well yet.