How can I hold my liquor better?
Well, there's really only so much you can do. Your body type and size is going to dictate quite a bit regarding how well you "hold your liquor." The first lesson, however, is this: don't drink to get drunk, and don't drink just to show off how much you can drink. Both are surefire ways to make a complete fool of yourself.
Now, that in mind...first off, make sure you eat a decent meal beforehand if you know you're going to be drinking later. Drinking on an empty stomach will lead you to feel drunker quicker.
Next, take it slowly. There's no need to start the night off with shots. Start with beer, or something else with a relatively low alcohol content, and work your way up. If you can, stick to one category of drinks (for example, drink beer all night). That way, the amount of alcohol in each drink remains relatively consistent, and it's easy to estimate how much you've had.
Also, space out the drinks. You need to give your body time to absorb the alcohol, so you can determine how much it's affecting you. This is why shots are particularly dangerous--it's easy to do several quickly, because you won't really feel them for 10-15 minutes. This makes it hard to judge how much you've had, and how much you can continue to drink while maintaining control of yourself.
An easy way to do this is to drink a glass of water (or Coke or whatever) between each drink. This will have the bonus effect of reducing your hangover the next day--hangovers are partly due to dehydration, so drinking plenty of water will help prevent that. It will also give your body time to feel the effects of the previous drink.
Ultimately, the best way to "hold your liquor" well is to pace yourself, and to learn how to recognize the point at which you need to stop, or at least slow down. Like I said, don't drink to get drunk; drink to enjoy the drinks, and to enjoy the pleasant buzz they cause. Once you reach that point, whether it's after two drinks or seven, either stop drinking or slow way down. Then enjoy the company of whoever you're with.
6 Answers
Kurt Von's answer is absolutely correct. In fact, you should avoid shots altogether. Shots are about getting drunk and you question indicates that isn't your goal. This isn't to say you can't sip whiskey all night. The key is to drink slowly so you can remain aware of your level of intoxication.
Some more good advice can be found at http://www.esquire.com/features/drinking/drunk-mature-0609
In addition to Kurt Von's excellent response, a bit of unconventional advice that has worked for me.
Consider drinking something you don't particularly have a taste for. If you don't have a taste for scotch, bourbon, or vodka, consider ordering one on the rocks and sipping it. No one will think any less of a man that's savoring a nice single-malt.
Follow Kurt's advice of following each one with a water. This is the number one rule of successful imbibing. As a bonus, you'll start to develop a palette for some of the more "gentlemanly" drinks, and you'll look way cooler ordering a Maker's Mark in front a lady at the bar than the guy ordering Jager Bombs.
I think there is a big difference between “holding your liquor,” and being a responsible drinker. Everything that has been described thus far is just being a responsible drinker. I agree mostly with what everyone is saying but in order to hold your liquor better you need to build a tolerance. Body type and size really has nothing to do with how well you can hold your liquor. I’m not a big guy and can out drink most people.
It all depends on the situation you are in. If you are a more mature person and drinking in a professional environment like an office party or off hours business meeting, then follow everything you’ve read before this. You can find many bottles of liquor on here that will add some class to your status. You should always want to have something that no one is familiar with. Also wine would be good to become introduced to as well. Nothing is better than talking to your boss about his favorite liquor while introducing him to yours, or opening a bottle of wine for the woman you’re talking to.
Are you in college and want to hold your own at a dorm party or frat party? Then you need to drink consistently over time so your body builds a tolerance. Don’t go balls out the first night, this is a sure way to make an ass of yourself and get drawn on with sharpie marker. Start with beer so you stay full and throw in a few shots during the night, no more than three shots to start with. Good practice would be to buy a six pack and a bottle of your liquor of your choice and drink at home to get a good idea on your tolerance. Drinking alone at home is also a sign of an alcoholic but no one will know the difference if you are alone.
Gauge your tolerance like this and adjust accordingly. Make sure you get to the point of drunkenness, that’s right after your hard buzz but don’t go beyond that. Remember that alcohol has a constant rate of absorption in your body. This means that you can take 3 shots and have drunk a couple beers and only be feeling a little buzz. Just remember you have a few more ounces of alcohol in reserve waiting and is just building up in your stomach and absorbing slowly. So when you’ve hit the point of drunkenness, slow down dramatically! Wait for a moment of slight sober clarity and just keep a slow pace. In a few months of drinking like this constantly you will have started the long road to liver failure. If you are young then you should be fine, with the advancements in science they should be able to grow you a new liver by the time yours shuts down.
Cut yourself off an hour before you are going to leave and drink some water.
Take into consideration all that everyone has said and you should be off to a good start.
NEVER DRIVE AFTER DRINKING!
DRIVING BUZZED IS STILL DRIVING DRUNK!
No one wants a DUI on their record and for most of us that could ruin our careers.
As in all things, practice makes perfect.
Truth is, you really can't build tolerance to alcohol, the levels of the enzymes that break down ethanol in your liver stay the same no matter how much (or little) you drink.
You can however, learn to act sober when drunk, and thus appear to hold your liquor better.
Although the best advice is to start drinking bourbon neat, not on the rocks. Sipping a glass of Bulleit will make you take your time. Also, you look immensely classy
Well, there's really only so much you can do. Your body type and size is going to dictate quite a bit regarding how well you "hold your liquor." The first lesson, however, is this: don't drink to get drunk, and don't drink just to show off how much you can drink. Both are surefire ways to make a complete fool of yourself.
Now, that in mind...first off, make sure you eat a decent meal beforehand if you know you're going to be drinking later. Drinking on an empty stomach will lead you to feel drunker quicker.
Next, take it slowly. There's no need to start the night off with shots. Start with beer, or something else with a relatively low alcohol content, and work your way up. If you can, stick to one category of drinks (for example, drink beer all night). That way, the amount of alcohol in each drink remains relatively consistent, and it's easy to estimate how much you've had.
Also, space out the drinks. You need to give your body time to absorb the alcohol, so you can determine how much it's affecting you. This is why shots are particularly dangerous--it's easy to do several quickly, because you won't really feel them for 10-15 minutes. This makes it hard to judge how much you've had, and how much you can continue to drink while maintaining control of yourself.
An easy way to do this is to drink a glass of water (or Coke or whatever) between each drink. This will have the bonus effect of reducing your hangover the next day--hangovers are partly due to dehydration, so drinking plenty of water will help prevent that. It will also give your body time to feel the effects of the previous drink.
Ultimately, the best way to "hold your liquor" well is to pace yourself, and to learn how to recognize the point at which you need to stop, or at least slow down. Like I said, don't drink to get drunk; drink to enjoy the drinks, and to enjoy the pleasant buzz they cause. Once you reach that point, whether it's after two drinks or seven, either stop drinking or slow way down. Then enjoy the company of whoever you're with.