You really don't need much alcohol in your system to have your liver convert some of the methylphenidate into ethylphenidate, a related, yet different stimulant. I know some people do use ethylphenidate alone as a stimulant; I don't have any real knowledge of what is like taken, from the start, as ethylphenidate. But, I do know what the methylphenidate and alcohol experience feels like to me, not really being able to differentiate the ethylphenidate's effects from the methylphenidate's effects. I will say I have enjoyed the combination the few times I have done it, but I only ever had two to four drinks while I was taking, or would be taking, methylphenidate, but I am naturally more sensitive to alcohol and I don't drink frequently. The combination is a different kind of one, where you are more awake and able while still feeling most of the alcohol's effects, and where you are less nervous or edgy while still feeling the methylphenidate's effects. I would probably say that if you like to drink, than methylphenidate and alcohol together will be, to you, better than either alone. Both alcohol and methylphenidate directly induce euphoria, so they could be termed 'euphoriants'. At the right amounts, for the right person, each will smooth the other out, while also inducing a sort of dual euphoria from each, plus the effect of the ethylphenidate metabolized in the liver, as mentioned earlier.
I cannot tell you what amounts would be best for you, because everyone differs. I would NOT drink more than you usually would nor drink more quickly than you usually do, either. As for the methylphenidate, if it is instant-release, I would be inclined to take that after about one or two drinks - like I said, your blood alcohol content does not need to be at all high for your liver to sufficiently metabolize some of the methylphenidate into ethylphenidate. Instant-release methylphenidate will give its best effects for around one-and-a-half to three hours, but that is just the best of it, and it will give some effect for around three to five, or so, hours. If your methylphenidate is in some form of extended-release formulation, it would not be a bad thing to take the methylphenidate right as you begin to drink, and the different extended-release formulations vary on how they release the methylphenidate, and for how long they do. Personally, I have experience with only instant-release methylphenidate and the extended-release formulation, Concerta.
If it is instant-release methylphenidate, you can take it orally, or crush the tablets into a fine powder to insufflate (AKA snort). It depends on you, but I do not take instant-release methylphenidate orally because it has a much better bioavailability when taken up the nose, and because it hits you a good deal more swiftly, too. But, it does work either way. If you are taking an extended-release formulation, I would just take it orally for best results. Now, with instant-release methylphenidate, I would suggest a dose of between 7.5 mg and 30 mg if taken orally and between like 5 mg and 20 mg if insufflated, depending how strong you want it to be. You can re-dose up to about the same dose as your first dose after maybe three to four hours (make sure the total amount is not getting to be too much), if you even feel you want more, and assuming you are spreading your drinking out over that length of time. BUT, with extended-release formulations, I would be less inclined to give even a dose range - I would suggest you just take it orally, and not try to make it instant-release and able to be insufflated. And, with extended-release formulations, you do not want to re-dose. I could say with Concerta, because I have experience with it, taken as it is, orally, you might want to take as little as the 18 mg capsule to as much as 54 mg. Concerta, being a particular extended-release formulation, will release ABOUT 1/3 of the total dose initially (if I recall correctly), then release the rest over several hours - I would guess it to be one of the longest lasting methylphenidate extended-release formulations, if not the longest lasting; but, I haven't taken the others, so I cannot really compare.
AGAIN, and this bears repeating, DO NOT drink more than you usually would or more quickly than you usually would - it could lead to a false sense of "I'm not that drunk", where then the methylphenidate wears off (and it does so fairly quickly with instant-release) and you have nothing to keep you 'up' anymore and you are really drunker than you thought. One more note - methylphenidate, and strong stimulants on the whole, can make nausea worse if it arises and can even cause nausea by themselves. So, eat before, if you want, and not after (it would normally curb your appetite a good deal, but since you're drinking, you might not feel that part of the drug as much).
Well wishes with this combo; incidentally, I am on a nice methylphenidate high right now (no booze, though), myself, hence the really rambling and tweaked out nature of the post. And, one more thought to share. If you have ever done cocaine, then you have an idea of what methylphenidate feels like - I know this via anecdotal comparisons, though have never done coke, myself. However, methylphenidate is not likely going to give you more raw euphoria than cocaine, and it may seem 'weaker', though it lasts MUCH longer, and I regard it as a very respectable, and underrated stimulant. Again, have fun - be safe about it.
