Exploring the Myth: Can You Drink Gin and Go Unnoticed the Next Morning?

Is it true that if someone drinks gin, others cannot smell it the next morning? This common belief is based on the idea that certain alcoholic beverages have no scent. However, the reality is more complex. Let's unpack this myth and understand the science behind why alcohol and its metabolites can make your breath and skin smell no matter what you drink.

The Role of Ethanol

One of the most common misconceptions is that the type of alcohol you drink affects how you smell the next day. While it's true that some alcoholic beverages have stronger odors due to the presence of juniper and botanicals, the alcohol itself — ethanol — has a recognizable smell. Even in small quantities, it can be detected on your breath.

The body metabolizes alcohol through the liver. Regardless of what type of alcohol you consume, the ethanol is eventually exhaled from the lungs, along with other metabolites like acetaldehyde. This means that if you're drunk, you are still breathing out alcohol, and that smell can be detected. It's the same principle that a breathalyzer uses to detect levels of ethanol vapor.

Skin and Sweat

But it's not just your breath that picks up the smell. Ethanol can also be expelled through sweat, particularly when you're under the influence. Even if you can mask the smell temporarily with mint toothpaste or mouthwash, the alcohol can still seep through your pores and sweat glands. This means that no matter how you cover up, the alcohol will eventually make its way out.

Drunk individuals might even excrete ethanol through their urine, which can then taint their clothes and skin. This is why even after a night out, someone who has consumed a large amount of alcohol might still have an unmistakable odor the next morning. While some organic compounds from certain spirits like gin might contribute to this smell, the primary culprit is the ethanol in the alcohol itself.

Perceptibility and Sensitivity

The ability to detect whether someone has been drinking is not just dependent on the smell itself. People with a stronger sense of smell or those who abstain from alcohol (teetotalers) are more likely to notice any odor. Conversely, people with a weaker sense of smell, including fellow drunks, might have a harder time detecting the smell.

Alcohol and its metabolites are powerful and overtaking. Even if you manage to temporarily mask your breath, the alcohol and its byproducts will eventually seep out through your pores and skin, leaving a telltale odor. It's worth noting that the strength of the smell can vary widely depending on the quantity consumed and individual factors.

Personal Experience and Conclusion

As someone who has been hospitalised, arrested, divorced, and robbed due to alcohol abuse, I can attest to the volatile nature of alcohol. Even clear spirits like vodka can leave a strong smell on your skin and breath if consumed in large quantities. If you think you can mask that smell, think again. It's virtually impossible to eliminate the alcohol smell completely, no matter what you do.

Despite months of sobriety, there are still days when I might pick up that familiar smell on myself. If you've been drinking, especially if you've had a lot, the best way to avoid an alcohol smell is to be responsible and drink in moderation. If you've overindulged, make sure to hydrate and take care of your hygiene to mitigate the smell as much as possible.