SO did we really need a study to determine this?  Just pop into any bar on a Saturday night and you can see for yourself!  But OK, here we go -- Alcohol has been known to help people shed their inhibitions.  Wait, there's more.  Despite that great revelation, you also need to know that one cocktail rises above all the others in that regard.

Tour Of The Jack Daniel's Lynchburg Barrel House Bar In Ginza
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British researchers gave served study participants drinks, and found those given sour drinks took more chances when gambling-- playing longer and winning more than those who sipped sweet, bitter or salty drinks.

Study authors say, "research indicates that sour does not provoke people to indulge in reckless risky habits, but does have unique attributes to modulate risk-taking and may encourage risk-averse people to take new opportunities."  Sour then, I guess, is like a nudge -- and isn't that a drink itself?

YES it is.  The Mr. Boston cocktail book says -

Pour first three ingredients into preheated Irish coffee glass. Fill with coffee and stir. Top with whipped cream and chocolate. Serve in an Irish Coffee Glass. ​

But I digress...

Researchers speculate that to our caveman ancestors, drinking something tasting sour could be a sign of a dangerous, toxic food. Therefore, sipping something sour is inherently a risk-taking behavior, and THAT could encourage other risk-taking behaviors.

Seems a bit of a stretch to me, but what the heck, let's raise a glass and toast to the cavemen and all the wonders they could never imagine they might see, looking into the bottom of the glass of a whisky sour!

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