Depends on a person. A sip of brandy - a TABLESPOON essentially - is enough to take the edge off the day. In this aspect I am a lightweight. Also fine motor skills go out the window right away - that's why Florida Highway Patrol will never have a pleasure arresting me for DUI, at the wheel I am stone cold sober. Even at business dinners I am known for sticking with OJ or nada-colada if I have to drive.

However, Mr. sci_femme and I are known to polish off a bottle of vine with nice home-grilled lamb kebab without a second thought, and I am usually responsible for 2/3 of the bottle. No hangover. What it really messes up is my sleep. So we do not indulge on weeknights.