We’re lovers. You know that. But every now and again, something comes across our desks that just seems... suspicious. Because of the tremendous material upside to all our lives if these claims pan out, we at times put ourselves in harm’s way to investigate. Albeit skeptically.

We call it: Skeptical Investigation. (Copyright pending.)

THE CLAIM
That the 22-ingredient Dirty Diablo Martini at Masa can cure hangovers.

THE INVESTIGATION
One of our trusty researchers awoke January 2 with a massive hangover (New Year’s Eve tends to be a 48-hour affair). So the brave soldier bellied up to the Masa bar and ordered one of these.

It came straight up in a martini glass, and it looked slightly menacing. The bottom half of it was blood-red and thick—thanks to the homemade horseradish, V8, ketchup, dried chipotle, hot sauce and black pepper Bloody Mary mix. Above this was a liquid ceiling of olive juice and habanero-infused reposado tequila. It came with a straw, but our guinea pig removed the straw and took it down in two and a half bracing gulps.

THE VERDICT
After the sensation that someone had left a small brush fire ablaze in the back of their throat subsided, our researcher eventually felt relatively operational again. However, it was unclear if this was due to the drink, the queso empanadas or the fact that our lab technician chased it with a few beers. Either way, life returned.

Bottom line: remember this for March 18.