Tip top tipples

At this time of year, we eschew health instruction for damage limitation. A gospel guide for the inevitable, alcoholic onslaught...

Go light: Light spirits such as vodka, gin or white rum have less congeners and are therefore less hangover-inducing.

Go temperate: Ice 'n a slice or a spiced mulled wine means you won't be able to down drinks as quickly - the ice dilutes as you go and heated drinks take longer for the stomach to absorb. Save the straw; you'll look like a lady but drink like a fish with the average gulp far more voluminous than a usual one.

Calorifically, gold stars go to Champagne (less than 70 calories a flute), a small glass of red (80) or white (77), vodka slimline tonic (100) and a healthrestoring Bloody Mary (140). Indelible black marks against a pint of Guinness (210), Rum and Coke (240), a pint of lager (200) and Advocaat - 272 calories of woeful festive fat.