Why Is Whiskey Good For A Cough?

If you've been in an office or any other enclosed space lately, it may have become evident that everyone is sick, hacking, coughing, adding germs in aerosol form to the air we all breathe, you know. Winter cold and flu season. Thankfully, we discovered long ago that while cough syrup rocks in the taste department and everything, there's a little tipple we all know and love that'll do pretty much the same thing and buzz you up in a much more pleasant way. It's whiskey, and here's why science says it's good for your cough.

A Carnegie Mellon study showed that moderate drinkers had increased resistence to viral infections. While booze won't heal you, small amounts of liquor can help relieve the symptoms of sore throats, muscle pain, congestion and sleeplessness (duh). Enter, the Hot Toddy: a tablespoon or so of honey and healthy squeeze of lemon juice mixed into half hot water and half whiskey, with a teabag and couple of whole cloves if you like.

It tastes so good you'll be snoring peacefully before you realize you've drunk three.

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