The Best Drinks to Cool Down After Eating Spicy Food

For many of us, eating spicy food is an exhilarating experience. However, when the heat becomes too much to handle, finding the right way to cool down is essential. Whether you’ve just enjoyed a fiery dish loaded with chili or overdid it on the hot sauce, here are the best drinks to cool your palate and bring relief after eating spicy food.

1. Milk – The Classic Remedy
Milk is one of the best-known remedies for spicy food, and it’s highly effective. The reason milk works so well is due to casein, a protein found in milk that helps break down the capsaicin in chili peppers, which is responsible for the burning sensation. Full-fat milk works best, but if you’re lactose-intolerant or vegan, opt for other dairy alternatives like almond, soy, or coconut milk, which also provide relief.

When the spice gets too intense, a cool glass of milk can quickly soothe the burn and neutralize the heat.

2. Yogurt and Lassi – Smooth and Cooling
Similar to milk, yogurt contains the same casein protein that helps neutralize spicy heat. Greek yogurt or regular plain yogurt works best. For a more flavorful option, try lassi, a traditional Indian yogurt-based drink that is both cooling and refreshing. The thickness of yogurt helps coat the mouth, reducing the intensity of capsaicin.

If you’ve enjoyed a particularly spicy curry, lassi is a perfect pairing to keep the heat in check.

3. Coconut Water – Hydrating and Soothing
Coconut water is another fantastic drink to help with spicy food. Its natural sugars help balance the heat, while the electrolytes and hydration properties of coconut water help soothe the burning sensation. Coconut water also helps with rehydration, which is essential after consuming very spicy foods that can cause you to sweat.

Sip on coconut water for a light, refreshing way to ease the heat and rehydrate.

4. Citrus Juices – Tangy Relief
Lemon and lime juice can provide a surprising amount of relief after eating spicy food. The acidity of these juices helps neutralize the capsaicin, similar to how acids like vinegar work to counterbalance heat in cooking. Citrus juices not only cool the tongue but also add a tangy flavor contrast to the heat.

If you’re having a spicy meal, sipping on lemonade or limeade can be a helpful (and tasty) way to manage the spice.

5. Sugar Water – A Quick Fix
Sugar water may seem simple, but it can be surprisingly effective. Sugar binds to capsaicin and can help remove it from the receptors in your mouth, calming the burn. You can dissolve sugar in cold water or even suck on a sugar cube to ease the pain quickly.

If other options aren’t readily available, sugar water offers a fast and accessible solution.

6. Alcohol – Use with Caution
Alcohol can also reduce the heat from spicy food, but it’s not as effective as milk or yogurt. Beer, in particular, can help wash away some of the capsaicin, but it doesn’t neutralize it in the same way dairy does. Hard liquor like vodka or whiskey may help numb the burn but can sometimes intensify the heat if overused.

If you choose alcohol to cool down after spicy food, opt for beer or cocktails mixed with cooling ingredients like citrus or cucumber.

7. Iced Water – Temporary Relief
While iced water can provide some immediate relief, it’s often temporary. The cold sensation from the ice helps cool the mouth, but as soon as the water is swallowed, the capsaicin can rebind to the receptors, reigniting the heat. For long-lasting relief, it’s best to pair water with something more effective like yogurt or sugar.

However, when you need quick relief, ice water can at least offer a brief respite from the burn.

Eating spicy food can be a thrilling experience, but sometimes you need to cool things down. Whether you choose milk, yogurt, coconut water, or citrus juices, each drink offers a unique way to tame the heat and soothe your taste buds. Next time you’re feeling the burn, reach for one of these drinks to find fast and refreshing relief.