Thank you for the query. As per the history, you are a 55yrs old lady, drinking alcohol occasionally (mainly weekends), followed by development of palpitations. I would like to know whether you suffer from any comorbid conditions like cardiac ailments or thyroid dysfunctions. Alcohol has been commonly associated with cardiac arrythmias (even sudden acute consumption, not just chronic long term use). Supraventricular arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, are very common in alcohol intake, which can lead to a sensation of uncomfortably fast heart beat (if an ECG can be done at this stage, the diagnosis can be confirmed). If a larger quantity of alcohol is consumed at once the risk of such arrythmia increases. Incase you have a background of cardiac ailment this aggravated. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is common in chronic alcoholic consumption. I would advise you to cut down on the alcohol intake and not to consume too much of alcohol at one go. In case your trouble persists, it is advisable that you visit your primary physician for a check up. Alternating drinks with alcohol may give subjective benefits in some individuals, but may not reduce the risk of arrythmias as a whole. Hope this helps you out.