The Gentlemen’s Guide To A Gentle Buzz

Nobody likes that person at a party. You know the one I’m talking about: the messy drunk, slurring through their sentences, forgetting the punchline to a joke (that wasn’t funny to begin with), looking one hors d’oeuvre away from redecorating your Gabbeh rug. And honestly, no one is more mortified than the messy drunk themselves. Somewhere, deep down, they know it’s a bad look—but by then, their neural circuits have been hijacked by one too many vodka shots.

Then comes the morning-after regret: a pounding headache, a tongue drier than your DL hookup’s personality, and the cursed thought—I’m never drinking again. Followed closely by full-blown panic: Oh God, what did I do last night?

At some point, you realise that (a) your lower back isn’t what it used to be, and (b) partying hard just isn’t worth it… unless you’re partying smart. It’s about finding that sweet spot—the happy buzz that gives you the courage to flirt recklessly with the guy you’ve been eyeing all night, or confess your deepest secrets to the stranger who offered you their last cigarette, without waking up the next morning and realising you’ve sent the exact same text (the 10 Things I Hate About You sonnet, of all things) to your ex, your crush and that one dude you had sex with four years ago.

The key to avoiding all that, Malini Agarwal—the linchpin of the Mumbai party scene—tells me one night at a gala in Jaipur, is to indulge in some “liquid gold”. “Here, try this,” she says, handing me a drink. “This is one of my favourite hacks. It’s champagne and Red Bull. It’s a wild combo but I love it—it’s indulgent, energising, cheeky, unexpected, and gives you fewer bubble headaches.”

It does. Oh, it does. The crispness of the champagne cuts through the sweetness of the Red Bull, making it feel lighter and more refreshing. Most importantly, the champagne gives me the buzz, while the Red Bull keeps me energised. So much so, I make it to my third after-party of the night before I feel the need to hit the sheets.

When not downing tequila (“on ice or with water”), designer Narresh Kukreja hits the dance floor, letting loose in a mesh top that clings heroically to his gorgeously defined pectorals. But it’s not just because the DJ is doing a good job. “Keeping your body active helps slow down how quickly alcohol hits your system. Plus, you’ll sweat out some of the toxins,” he says.

Shivan Bhatiya never mixes his drinks and avoids soda because it leaves him with a headache. “I start with three quick large drinks, always with water. After that, I gradually shift to smaller pours—still only with water. Somewhere in between, I’ll even have a full glass of just water,” he adds.

Now, go out there party smart, hydrate hard and, for God’s sake, don’t text your ex.

TAKE IT FROM THE BACCHANALS

Keep the dances coming

“Keeping your body active helps slow down how quickly alcohol hits your system. Plus, you’ll sweat out some of the toxins,” says Narresh Kukreja.

Hydrate like your life depends on it. Seriously.

Because, honestly, it kind of does. For Rahul Khanna, sipping coconut water in a champagne flute both “looks the part and saves you tomorrow”.

“Somewhere in between, I’ll even have a full glass of just water,” says Shivan Bhatiya.

Switch it up

Discreetly switch out your third vodka shot with one made with water (or just pretend to drink it and spit it out—Kukreja admits to doing that sometimes).

Shoot your shot

Vedant Mahajan, founder of MVM Entertainment, which has hosted over a thousand global events (and god knows how many after-parties) has a plan: “During the night, I just try to have neat drinks with water —so no sugar, no juices or sodas. And obviously a good high-carb or high-calorie meal right before you drink.”

And eat, please?

Filmmaker Mozez Singh, known for his love of super spicy margaritas spiked with smoky mezcal, has a solution stripped of all pretence and wellness posturing: “Gluttony. Eating without a care in the world and overeating is the thing that fuels me and also saves me from hangovers and burnouts.”

To read more stories from Esquire India's May-June 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.