Brain & Nervous System Headaches Causes & Risk Factors The Truth About “ Cocktail Headaches” By Colleen Doherty, MD Updated on June 14, 2023 Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Treatment Prevention A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within as little as three hours after drinking alcohol. It's not the same as a hangover headache, which occurs the morning after drinking too much. A cocktail headache develops the same evening, and even a tiny amount of alcohol can trigger it. This article takes a closer look at what is a cocktail headache, more formally known as an immediate alcohol-induced headache. Verywell / Emily Roberts Cocktail Headache Symptoms According to the International Headache Society, a cocktail headache occurs within three hours after a person consumes an alcoholic beverage and resolves within 72 hours. It also includes at least one of the following three features: The headache occurs on both sides of the head.The headache is throbbing or pulsating (imagine your brain as a drum).It is aggravated by physical activity. It's interesting to note that cocktail headaches are much rarer than hangover headaches, and they can be triggered by variable amounts of alcohol. For instance, for some people with migraines, just a small amount of alcohol can lead to a cocktail headache, whereas others can tolerate alcohol at the same level as people who don't get migraines. How long will a cocktail headache last? It can persist for up to 72 hours from when it starts. Note that to qualify as a cocktail (or delayed alcohol-induced) headache, the pain must start within three hours of drinking. A headache that sets in the next day is a symptom of a hangover. 12 Best Foods for a Hangover and What to Avoid What Causes a Cocktail Headache? In addition to a cocktail or hangover headache, alcohol has also been reported as a trigger in primary headache disorders, most notably migraine and cluster headaches, followed by tension headaches (although the evidence is not as robust). The mechanism through which alcohol can trigger these distinct headache disorders is not well understood. While the acute widening of blood vessels in the brain (called vasodilation) may explain the cocktail headache, this is likely not the mechanism for hangover headaches (when alcohol levels in the blood have declined to zero). For a hangover headache, also called a delayed alcohol-induced headache, experts believe that nerve chemicals involved in central pain control, like serotonin, are likely responsible. The type of alcohol does not seem to affect whether a person gets a headache. While red wine has been described as a dominant trigger of migraines and cluster headaches, white wine, champagne, sparkling wines, and beer have also been linked to headaches. How to Get Rid of a Cocktail Headache If you develop a cocktail headache, stop drinking alcohol and go someplace where you can rest comfortably. Drink lots of water to rehydrate your body and help flush the alcohol from your system. A sports drink with electrolytes is also helpful for this purpose. Try to eat some fruits, herbs, and vegetables that are helpful for alcohol-induced headache recovery. Mango, thyme, ginger, and asparagus are known to contain helpful properties for this purpose. For pain relief, you can take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as Advil or Motrin (both are brands of ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), although when combined with alcohol, these can put you at risk of stomach bleeding. Do not take Tylenol (acetaminophen), as doing so will overtax your liver. How to Prevent a Cocktail Headache If alcohol is a headache trigger for you, think before you drink. In other words, the best treatment for a cocktail headache is actually preventing one in the first place. Before consuming a cocktail, ask yourself if it is worth developing a headache over and ruining your celebration or holiday. If alcohol only occasionally causes you a headache, then moderation or striking that balance (as opposed to abstinence), may be a more reasonable approach. Drinking plenty of water before having a drink should also help ward a cocktail headache off. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your "cocktail headache" plan. For example, if you experience migraines and notice that alcohol triggers your migraine headache, then taking one of your migraine therapies (for example, a triptan) at the start of your headache may be best. Headaches Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Email Address Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Summary A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within the same evening of drinking alcohol. Unlike a hangover headache, cocktail headaches can be caused by even small amounts of alcohol. If you develop a cocktail headache, take care to rest and nourish your body with water, electrolytes, and a healthy fruit or vegetable snack if possible. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and alcohol should never be mixed. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia. 2013;33(9):629-808. doi:10.1177/0333102413485658 Panconesi A, Bartolozzi ML, Mugnai S, Guidi L. Alcohol as a dietary trigger of primary headaches: what triggering site could be compatible?. Neurol Sci. 2012;33 Suppl 1:S203-5. doi:10.1007/s10072-012-1068-z Wang F, Li Y, Zhang YJ, Zhou Y, Li S, Li HB. Natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangovers and alcohol use disorder. Molecules. 2016 Jan;21(1):64. doi:10.3390/molecules21010064 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Hangover headache. Additional Reading Krymchantowski AV, da Cunha Jevoux C. Wine and headache. Headache. 2014;54(6):967-75. doi:10.1111/head.12365 Panconesi A, Franchini M, Bartolozzi ML, Mugnai S, Guidi L. Alcoholic drinks as triggers in primary headaches. Pain Med 2013;14(8):1254-9. doi:10.1111/pme.12127 By Colleen Doherty, MD Dr. Doherty is a board-certified internist and writer living with multiple sclerosis. She is based in Chicago. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit