Binghamton’s fast-paced nightlife scene is fun and exciting, and the ultimate goal is to get as drunk as you can for as little money as possible. But a responsible partier should know that there are always a few drinks that you should be wary of.
Four Loko
Do you like Four Loko? Do you also like Harpur’s Ferry? The canned beverage is an infamously dangerous concoction. Made in nine flavors including lemon lime and cherry, the caffeinated malt beverage has been hailed ‘Liquid Cocaine’ by Aina Hunter of CBS News.
‘The cans are giant and colorful. It looks like a party in a can, but I’ve heard that taking four at once is like taking crack,’ said Aly Montgomery, a freshman majoring in English.
So what makes the brew lethal? The combination of caffeine and alcohol does.
According to a study conducted by Wake Forest University, students who combine alcohol and caffeine are more likely to suffer alcohol-related injuries than those who just consume alcohol. Four Loko is a popular choice among college students, but if you think you should have four of them like the drink’s name, good luck.
Red Bull-Vodka
The popular energy drink Red Bull promises to give you wings. But if you decide to have too many jager bombs, expect to fly yourself over to the hospital.
Red Bull and vodka is similar to Four Loko in that they both combine caffeine and alcohol. This combination causes dehydration, which slows the ability to process drinks.
‘I’ve heard that Red Bull-Vodka is mad dangerous, but it makes you happy-drunk and not sleepy,’ said Yoni Levy, an undeclared freshman.
This may seem like a plus, but fatigue is a good indication to stop drinking for the night, and without that indication, it’s easy to drink too much.
The Punch
One of the first things an incoming freshman hears about the Binghamton University party scene is ‘don’t drink the punch.’ Frats are known for their ‘punch,’ which is a brew of vodka, Hawaiian Punch or Kool-Aid, and sometimes water or soda. The mix is poured into large tubs or coolers.
Roofie rumors aside, the downside about the punch is that you never know how much you’re drinking since the taste can be misleading.