Of course, your suggestion of a shot of vodka is too enticing to pass up; I'll have to try it (would good bourbon also work?). But I'll also have a carton of cold milk handy along with the key to the liquor cabinet, just for backup.....![]()
Sure, bourbon would be just as effective as vodka if not more due to being even higher ABV in some cases. Basically, the stronger the ABV, the more effective it is on dissolving the oil to which the capsaicin is bound. They don't sell anything above 60% ABV here in Finland, but you in the states could even down a shot of Everclear, for example, if you ate a naga and got into real panic mode.
Water is absolutely the worst thing you can drink to try to relieve a chili pain. Milk isn't much better because it's about 95% water. Beer is effective, for example, against a jalapeno but does nothing against a naga because there's not a high enough alcohol to capsaicin ratio. Basic chemistry - oil and water don't mix.