The Van Buren County SAFE
Coalition would like to encourage you to avoid making alcohol the main focus of
social events this holiday season. Entertain guests with music, dancing, games,
food, and lively conversation. Did you know that one in three adults
prefers a non-alcoholic beverage? Make sure to offer plenty of nonalcoholic
choices such as sparkling water, fancy juice drinks, soft drinks, and bottled
drinking water. Also provide guests with nutritious and appealing foods
to slow the effects of alcohol. High protein and carbohydrate foods like cheese
and meats are especially good. They stay in the stomach much longer, which
slows the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol. Avoid salty foods, which
encourage people to drink more.
Require bartenders to
measure the correct amount of liquor into drinks (no doubles), and instruct
them not to serve anyone who appears to be impaired. Have the bartender check
the ID of anyone who appears to be under the age of 30 (no ID, no alcohol).
Stop serving drinks at
least 1 hour before the end of the event. Instead, serve coffee,
non-alcoholic beverages, and desserts at that time.
Your responsibility as a
host is even more important when the party is over. Be prepared to offer your
guests alternate forms of transportation, such as: Ask someone who was not
drinking to drive a guest home; Call someone to come and drive them home; Offer
your place to spend the night; If the person insists on driving despite his or
her obvious intoxication, take the keys, ask for help from other guests, or
temporarily disable the car; If all else fails, say you will call the police
(and do so).
The following non-alcoholic
drink recipes are a courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Join Together, a national resource center for communities
working to reduce substance abuse. Many of these unique drinks can add
“flavor” to your party by giving your guests healthy, tasty alternatives to
alcoholic beverages. Enjoy!
Citrus Collins
Fill a 10–12 oz. glass with
ice cubes
2 oz. orange juice
1 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. flavored syrup
Fill with club soda.
Garnish with an orange slice or a cherry.
Mai Tai
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup club soda
1 tbsp. cream of coconut
1 tbsp. grenadine syrup
In a shaker or tall glass,
combine ingredients; shake or stir to blend. Add crushed ice.
Lemon-Strawberry Punch
6 oz. frozen orange juice
concentrate, thawed
1 pkg. frozen sliced
strawberries
6 oz. frozen lemonade
concentrate
1 quart carbonated water
1-quart ginger ale
Sliced bananas
Sliced oranges or lemons
Combine frozen lemonade,
strawberries (half-thawed with juice), and orange juice. Place in a punch
bowl with ice. Just before serving, add carbonated water and ginger ale.
Garnish with thin slices of orange, lemon, or banana. Serves 20.
Holiday Delight
Blend the following
ingredients in a mixer:
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup frozen strawberries
1/4 cup cranapple juice
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/2 banana
Pour into a tall glass.
Viennese Coffee
Combine:
1/4 cup whipped cream
1 tbsp. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Beat until stiff.
Pour 3 cups of very strong coffee (decaffeinated is fine) into four cups. Float
whipped cream mixture on top. Garnish with 1/2 tsp. grated orange peel. Use
cinnamon sticks in each cup as servers.
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