⚡ The Old Fashioned Gets a Halloween Twist

Cold Weather Gets You Sick

Your mom said it. Your wife still says it. Go outside with wet hair in November and you'll catch a cold.

The Verdict: Mostly B.S.
Colds and flu come from viruses, not temperature. A chilly walk to the car won't magically make you sick.

The real reason winter is cold and flu season? We spend more time indoors, breathing shared air with less ventilation. Dry air doesn't help either. It can weaken the protective defenses in your nose.

But here's where Mom gets a point.
Research from Yale found that cold viruses can replicate more easily in cooler nasal passages, where your immune defenses aren't as effective. A 2022 study found that cold air can also weaken your nose's first line of defense against viruses.

So cold weather doesn't cause a cold. But if you're exposed to a virus, it may make it easier for that virus to take hold.

The Mettle Take
Wear the jacket if you're cold. But if you want to stay healthy, wash your hands, get some fresh air, and avoid the guy coughing through the entire meeting.

What to do with Leftover Halloween Candy? The Snickers Old Fashioned

The kids are done with it. The bowl is still half full. You've eaten four fun-size bars standing in the kitchen and feel nothing but shame.

Here's a better use. Turn a few into a candy syrup, swap it for the sugar in an Old Fashioned, and you've got caramel, peanut, and chocolate riding on good bourbon.

Sounds like a gimmick, but it’s delicious.

The Syrup

Combine in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently for about 5 minutes until the candy melts into the water. Don't boil.

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve while warm to remove the peanuts and any remaining solids. Let cool. The syrup may be slightly cloudy or separate, so stir before using.

Refrigerate in a sealed container and use within 2 to 3 days.

The Drink

Stir bourbon, syrup, and bitters with ice for 20 to 30 seconds. Strain over one large cube. Express the orange peel over the glass and drop it in.

One Tip
Use a high-rye bourbon like Four Roses or Wild Turkey 101. The spice keeps the candy sweetness in check and reminds you this is still an Old Fashioned, not a milkshake.

The Mettle Take
Nobody needs a Snickers Old Fashioned. That's exactly why your buddies will remember it.

Not the drink they expect. The one they remember.

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The Hangover Breakfast: The Science and the Sandwich

Your head is pounding, your mouth feels like sandpaper, and last night's bourbon is collecting interest. Greasy food wo't soak up the alcohol. That ship sailed hours ago.

What you need is something to eat, something to drink, and a little time. This sandwich handles the first part.

Here's Why It Works
Eggs bring protein and nutrients. Bacon adds salt and flavor. The bread gives you carbs when your stomach can handle them. And cheese? Because you're hungover, not a monk.

None of it magically clears alcohol from your system. But a solid breakfast and some fluids can help you feel more human while your body recovers.

The Sandwich

Cook the bacon until crisp. Fry the eggs in a little bacon fat, over medium, until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.

Toast the bun with butter. Stack it with bacon, eggs, cheddar, and hot sauce.

Serve with a tall glass of water. If your stomach's not ready for the whole sandwich, start small.

One Tip
Skip the Bloody Mary. Hair of the dog might temporarily mask symptoms, but more alcohol only delays recovery. Coffee is fine if you normally drink it, but don't mistake caffeine for a cure.

The Mettle Take
A good breakfast won't erase last night. But bacon, eggs, and a little patience beat another round of bad decisions.

Because eating well is never just about the food