Can drinking water help you pass a breathalyzer?

Asked by: Deonte Kuphal DVM  |  Last update: January 31, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (34 votes)

No, drinking water won't make you "sober" or lower your actual Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) to pass a breathalyzer; only time allows your liver to metabolize alcohol. While water might dilute alcohol smell in your mouth or temporarily skew readings by flushing residual alcohol, a breathalyzer measures deep-lung air reflecting BAC, so the only reliable method to pass is waiting for your body to process the alcohol.

What can throw off a breathalyzer test?

Breathalyzers can be thrown off by mouth alcohol (from mouthwash, mints, burping), certain medical conditions (diabetes, acid reflux), food, medications, improper calibration, environmental factors (temperature, fumes), or even breathing patterns, all of which can lead to falsely high readings by creating "mouth alcohol" or mimicking alcohol on the breath.
 

How much water to drink to lower BAC?

It is important to note that common strategies used to “sober up,” such as taking a cold shower, sleeping, drinking water and consuming caffeine, do not work to lower BAC. The only thing that can help alcohol leave your bloodstream is time.

How do I clear my breath for a breathalyzer?

You can't truly "clear" your breath for a breathalyzer because it measures deep lung air, not just mouth odor, but you can minimize false positives by abstaining from alcohol, waiting at least 15-20 minutes after drinking, rinsing your mouth with water (not mouthwash), and not burping or putting anything in your mouth. Myths like using mints, chewing gum, or sucking on a penny won't lower your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and can even cause issues, while the only way to lower BAC is time for your body to metabolize the alcohol. 

How can I get my BAC down quickly?

Blood Alcohol Content, or BAC, refers to the percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream, and can be measured within 30-70 minutes after drinking. Contrary to popular belief, nothing can lower BAC except time; coffee, cold showers, and chugging glasses of water will not help you sober up any faster.

How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System? (Urine, Blood & Breath) #Breathalyzer #AlcoholFacts

38 related questions found

How long will it take for a breathalyzer to register 0.00 after drinking?

A breathalyzer can register 0.00% alcohol after you've stopped drinking in as little as one to three hours for a single drink, but for heavier consumption, it takes much longer, with the body metabolizing alcohol at roughly 0.015% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) per hour, meaning several drinks can take many hours (e.g., 5-10+ hours) to fully clear, depending on factors like weight, sex, metabolism, and the amount consumed. 

Can you turn down a breathalyzer test?

While it is your right to refuse a breathalyzer test in California, doing so comes with its own set of consequences. These consequences include automatic license suspension, potential enhancement of penalties, and the potential impact on your legal defense.

What helps alcohol not show up on a breathalyzer?

Breath fresheners, breath mints, and mouthwash can mask alcohol and/or lower BAC readings.

What kills alcohol breath for a breathalyzer?

You can't truly "kill" alcohol breath for a breathalyzer, as these devices detect alcohol in your lungs, not just your mouth; however, some methods might temporarily mask the smell or slightly alter readings, like hyperventilating to replace lung air or using alcohol-free mouthwash, but nothing reliably fools modern, accurate breathalyzers, and tricks like gum, mints, or coffee are ineffective and can even backfire, while certain medications (like asthma inhalers or some cold meds) can cause false positives, notes BACtrack. 

What soaks up alcohol fastest?

Alcohol is absorbed fastest on an empty stomach, with carbonated mixers (like champagne or soda) speeding it up, and drinks around 20-30% alcohol content (like sherry) absorbing quicker than spirits, which can slow absorption by delaying stomach emptying; foods rich in protein, fat, and carbs slow absorption significantly by delaying alcohol's entry into the small intestine. 

Is 5 hours enough to pass a breathalyzer?

Alcohol detection tests can measure alcohol in the blood for up to 12 hours, on the breath for 12 to 24 hours, urine for 12-24 hours (72 or more hours after heavier use), saliva for up to 12 hours, and hair for up to 90 days.

Is refusing a breathalyzer worse than DUI?

Yes, refusing a breathalyzer is often legally worse than failing it because most states impose automatic, severe administrative penalties for refusal, such as longer license suspensions, higher fines, and mandatory ignition interlock devices, even before any DUI conviction, and the refusal itself can be used as evidence of guilt in court. While failing a test gives prosecutors strong evidence, refusing can trigger harsher, guaranteed consequences, often making the defense harder. 

How long does it take to lower a breathalyzer?

While your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can rise quickly, BAC goes down at a slow and predictable rate. The average body will metabolize between . 015 and . 020 BAC per hour (that's 4-5 hours to zero for someone at .

Can you say no to an alcohol test?

Yes, you can say no to an alcohol test (breath, blood, or urine) in most places, but it's a significant decision with serious consequences, often leading to automatic license suspension and potentially harsher DUI penalties, as states have "implied consent" laws meaning driving implies consent to testing if suspected of DUI. While refusing might weaken the prosecution's case by removing BAC evidence, police can often get a warrant for a blood test, and prosecutors can use the refusal itself as evidence of guilt, making a conviction more likely.
 

Does drinking water reduce alcohol breath?

Also, did you know that drinking more water can help alleviate alcohol breath? A glass of H2O can counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol, help to prevent dry mouth and bacteria build-up, and rinse away any foul-smelling bacteria and food debris lingering in the mouth.

What is the 20 minute rule for alcohol?

The "20-minute rule" for alcohol is a mindful drinking strategy where you pause for 20 minutes after finishing a drink (or when you first crave one) before having another, allowing cravings to pass, giving your body a break, and creating a chance to rehydrate with water or switch to a non-alcoholic drink. It helps control consumption by breaking the automatic cycle of drinking and promotes awareness of your body's signals, potentially reducing overall intake and preventing rapid intoxication. 

How long will 3 beers show on a breathalyzer?

How Long Will 3 Beers Show Up on a Breathalyzer? If you drink three beers (like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Blue Moon, or Ballast Point Sculpin IPA at 5-7% ABV), your BAC could reach 0.06% and may take 4.5 - 6 hours to fully clear from a breathalyzer test.

How to pass a breathalyzer after 2 drinks?

Despite popular myths, there's no quick way to sober up or beat a breathalyzer test. Tricks like using mouthwash, mints, or hyperventilating will not lower your BrAC and can even raise it. The only way to sober up is to give your body enough time to metabolize the alcohol.

Can mouthwash remove alcohol breath?

Although remedies like chewing gum or gargling with mouthwash can help temporarily mask the smell, they do not eliminate the underlying odor generated by alcohol metabolism. Therefore, to effectively avoid alcohol breath, abstaining from alcohol consumption is the most reliable approach.

How many hours is a positive alcohol test?

You can test positive for alcohol from a few hours up to several days or even months, depending on the test type, with breath/blood tests showing alcohol for up to 12-24 hours, standard urine tests for about 12-24 hours (longer with EtG tests), and hair tests detecting use for up to 90 days. Detection times vary significantly based on how much you drank, your metabolism, weight, age, sex, and overall health. 

How long does it take to be 0.00 after one drink?

It takes roughly one hour to metabolize one standard drink, meaning your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) typically returns to 0.00 about an hour after finishing a single drink, though this varies by individual, weight, and metabolism. Factors like sex, body weight, food intake, and medications can affect this, with some estimates suggesting it might take up to 2 hours to clear very low levels. 

Why do cops do sobriety tests instead of breathalyzers?

Using a breathalyzer to measure your BAC levels can yield inconclusive and inaccurate results. Because the cops administer these tests in the field, there aren't as many safeguards to ensure accuracy. For example, the person may not blow into the machine properly, leading to a much higher result than what it should be.

What are the excuses for failing a breathalyzer?

Possible Reasons for a False Positive

  • Improper Calibration of Equipment. Breathalyzers require proper calibration to give reliable results. ...
  • Mouthwash. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol. ...
  • Medical Conditions. ...
  • Medication. ...
  • Sample Contamination. ...
  • The Officer's Lack of Training or Experience. ...
  • Certain Foods and Drinks.

Can drinking water help you pass a breathalyzer on Reddit?

Drinking water retroactively doesn't significantly reduce your BAC because the alcohol is already in your blood and most of that water will not be absorbed. Also, your overall blood volume is like 5 liters.

Does drinking water help flush out alcohol?

Yes, water does flush out alcohol, though it will not make your body metabolize it any faster. Instead, water helps to support liver and kidney function, encouraging the body to eliminate already broken-down alcohol more quickly.