# What kind of a spirit would NyQuil resemble? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733 "2010-01-13T00:35:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/21 "2010-01-13T05:52:32Z")
Well, if they made a Menthol Schnapps… ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/22 "2010-01-13T06:17:35Z")
Why do people even drink Jagermeister? It doesn’t taste good. “It gets you fucked up” is not an appropriate answer because there are cheap vodkas and tequilas that will get you more fucked up for less money. Whoever is behind the marketing of that stuff is a certified genius. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/23 "2010-01-13T06:24:44Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Why do people even drink Jagermeister? It doesn’t taste good. “It gets you fucked up” is not an appropriate answer because there are cheap vodkas and tequilas that will get you more fucked up for less money. Whoever is behind the marketing of that stuff is a certified genius. Because they hate themselves, and feel they don’t deserve to be happy. Because “it gets you fucked up” is a highly laughable answer considering it’s 70 proof. In answer to the OP, you’re all over it. Southern Comfort is it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/24 "2010-01-13T06:45:48Z")
There is an urban legend that Jager contains some sort of added narcotic (variously claimed to be tincture of opium, heroin or other) that enhances the effects. Yes, the legend is (almost certainly) bullshit, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t believe it or get placeboed by it. It’s also rumored to contain deer’s blood, which is also bullshit. Some people actually find it palatable, and it is marginally more drinkable than straight spirits. For a while, in the late 80’s/early 90’s, it was the fashionable bottle of choice for a lot of hard rock/metal bands, including Metallica who had a lot of pictures take clutching bottles of Jager, and I think this contributed to popularizing it with a certain segment of the youth. For the record, I think it tastes syrupy. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/25 "2010-01-13T06:48:18Z")
I’m going with sambuca. Tastes like licorice and is thick. Add some green food coloring and you could probably convince me it was NyQuil. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/26 "2010-01-13T07:08:48Z")
I’d say it’s closer to Midori, which is around 12% alcohol, like wine or beer. However, I would never have guessed how much alcohol is in some commercial products (40% in mouthwash, 80% in hand sanitizer, etc.), so I’m probably way off. By the way, the active ingredient in Nyquil isn’t the alcohol but acetaminophen. Iirc, it’s like popping 4 Tylenol in one shot, and there’s a big scare now with liver damage from acetaminophen poisoning. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/27 "2010-01-13T08:16:01Z")
Midori has the closest color, but it’s **melon** liqueur. It doesn’t taste even remotely like NyQuil. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/28 "2010-01-13T12:57:52Z")
> [@](#): > > By the way, the active ingredient in Nyquil isn’t the alcohol but acetaminophen. Iirc, it’s like popping 4 Tylenol in one shot, and there’s a big scare now with liver damage from acetaminophen poisoning. Especially when it’s taken in conjunction with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/29 "2010-01-13T15:10:17Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Why do people even drink Jagermeister? It doesn’t taste good. Central and Eastern Europe especially have a pretty long tradition of various herbal liqueurs/bitters, usually used as digestifs. My father used to make his own Benedictine/Chartreuse-type infusions when I was a kid and I grew up on the stuff. So, for me, I’ll drink Jagermeister because I do like the taste, although it’s not as interesting or bitter as some of the other stuff I like (like Unicum or Unterberg). It’s also very good after a meal to help settle the stomach (as a digestif.) Plenty of people do enjoy it, although it is mysterious to me how they managed to market themselves so successfully to modern American tastes, which tend to avoid herbally liquers in my experience. edit: And as to the syrup discussion. Jager does taste syrupy, but its consistency is thin, and not syrupy like SoCo. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/30 "2010-01-13T15:19:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > For the record, I think it tastes syrupy. Yes, yes, it tastes syrupy, but is it the sugary sweet flavor that is syrupy, or is it the texture? It’s the flavor. > [@pulykamell](#): > > So, for me, I’ll drink Jagermeister because I do like the taste, although it’s not as interesting or bitter as some of the other stuff I like (like Unicum or Unterberg). How do you feel about Fernet? > [@](#): > > edit: And as to the syrup discussion. Jager does taste syrupy, but its consistency is thin, and not syrupy like SoCo. Correct. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/31 "2010-01-13T15:32:35Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > How do you feel about Fernet? Never had it, but reading the Wikipedia discription of it, it sounds like something right up my alley. I’ve never met a bitter or herbal liqueur I didn’t like. I’m going to have to keep a look out for this next time I’m at the Binny’s (local liquor superstore.) ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/32 "2010-01-13T18:03:58Z")
What kind of spirit? Windextor. “I will clean your soul!” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/33 "2010-01-13T18:06:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > …And here, I was thinking that this would be some weird animism thing. Like, the God of Helping you Get your Zzzs. Me, too. Kinda like that glowy butterfly in those Ambien ads. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/34 "2010-01-13T18:28:59Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Yes, yes, it tastes syrupy, but is it the sugary sweet flavor that is syrupy, or is it the texture? > > It’s the flavor. I’ll go one further - it’s the linger-y-ness of it. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/35 "2010-01-13T20:10:25Z")
> [@ntucker](#): > > I’m going with sambuca. Tastes like licorice and is thick. Add some green food coloring and you could probably convince me it was NyQuil. Have you ever tried floating three coffee beans in NyQuil and then lighting it? (Even as I typed that, I thought, “That sounds like a really bad idea.”) ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/36 "2010-01-13T21:21:30Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > By the way, the active ingredient in Nyquil isn’t the alcohol but acetaminophen. Iirc, it’s like popping 4 Tylenol in one shot, and there’s a big scare now with liver damage from acetaminophen poisoning. Don’t forget the antihistamines. They’re already a pretty strong sedative on their own, and are also sold as over-the-counter sleep aids. But the effect is even strong when combined with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/37 "2010-01-13T21:51:18Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I’d say it’s closer to Midori, which is around 12% alcohol, like wine or beer. > > However, I would never have guessed how much alcohol is in some commercial products (40% in mouthwash, 80% in hand sanitizer, etc.), so I’m probably way off. > > By the way, the active ingredient in Nyquil isn’t the alcohol but acetaminophen. Iirc, it’s like popping 4 Tylenol in one shot, and there’s a big scare now with liver damage from acetaminophen poisoning. You do not recall correctly. Per wikipedia, an adult dose of NyQuil contains the same amount of acetaminophen as two extra strength Tylenol. Do you really think they would sell a cold remedy with a dangerous amount of acetaminophen in it? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/38 "2010-01-13T23:44:40Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > You do not recall correctly. Per wikipedia, an adult dose of NyQuil contains the same amount of acetaminophen as two extra strength Tylenol. Do you really think they would sell a cold remedy with a dangerous amount of acetaminophen in it? Why not? They used to sell one with chloroform in it … do you realize how easy it is to overdose chloroform? [novahistine elixir] ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/39 "2010-01-14T00:47:05Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Why not? They used to sell one with chloroform in it … do you realize how easy it is to overdose chloroform? > > [novahistine elixir] Uh, because of lawsuits? They pulled Dimetapp off the market for much less than that. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733/40 "2010-01-14T02:50:20Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Plenty of people do enjoy it, although it is mysterious to me how they managed to market themselves so successfully to modern American tastes, which tend to avoid herbally liquers in my experience. [the genius of Sidney Frank](http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/bizfinance/biz/features/10816/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-a-spirit-would-nyquil-resemble/524733.md?page=3)