Although alcohol is detrimental to the human and elf brain, it also posesses antibiotic properties..
So, when a disease is bacterial, a bit of alcohol can certainly help with recovering.. Even with viral infections, like influenza, alcohol can help prevent bacteria taking the opportunity of lowered resistance to add symptoms to the flu.
Apart from that, alcohol is a blood-thinner, so it will slightly lower your fever.. Do not combine with high doses of aspirine or other blood-thinning pain killers.
I liked that recipe.. Ill add mine (actually, my grandmother's recipe against common cold and like illness)
1) Press the juice from 2 lemons
2) boil water, add to lemon juice to make it about 1/3 lemon juice, 2/3 hot water. (No tea, except herbal tea / green tea.. Black teas produce an acid that will make your throat more rough if it's painful already)
3) add 2 spoons of honey (or more, if you like it sweet)
4) add a good shot of strong, clear liquor, like vodka, gin.. (Any strong booze will do, except those ripened in oak wood, like whiskey. Oak wood is toxic.)
5) If you have, add a fresh sprig of thyme, to ease throat sore (If you leave the thyme in your strong liquor for an hour or two before making the drink, the effect will be better)
6) drink while it's hot
7) sleep
Get well soon