Here are 30 tips for enjoying safe holiday parties for both guest and hosts follow, as well as some recipes for alcohol-free Mock tails.
A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine and a 1.5-ounce shot of 80 proof hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. Coffee, cold showers and exercise do not quicken sobriety. Each one-half ounce of alcohol takes the average body about one hour to process and eliminate. Only passage of time will free the body from the effects of alcohol. If the choice is made to drink at a New Year's Party:
Eat before drinking. Food in the stomach will slow down the rate of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream.
Remember that fatigue and medications can impact how you respond to alcohol. Either of these can dramatically enhance the effect alcohol has on the drinker.
Drink slowly, sip the drink and space drinks.
Set a limit; don't exceed it!
Stop while still in control.
Don't let friends drive drunk. If you have not drank any alcohol, drive your friend home or offer to call him or her and cab.
Do not drive after drinking. Take turns being a designated non-drinking responsible driver.
If you are hosting a New Year's Eve Party with alcohol:
Always serve food. Protein based items such as cheese; shrimp cocktail, spareribs, and pizza inhibit the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Avoid thirst-provoking appetizers such as chips, pretzels, or other salty snacks.
Serve food in waves to encourage frequent return trips back to the table. Or, pass food on trays circulated around the room.
Remember that unique and interesting foods encourage consumption.
Plan the event so that the focus is on people or events, and not on drinking. Plan an interesting program, social activity, or other entertainments.
If guest are charged a fee, separate the price of admission or food from the cost of the drinks. Do not force the non-drinking to share the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Sign no contract with a caterer requiring a minimum amount of sales. Such contracts might encourage excessive drinking.
Offer non-alcoholic beverages. Serve alcoholic drinks only upon request. Always have non-alcoholic beverages available for mixing as well as drinking.
If preparing alcoholic punch, use a non -carbonated base like fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed faster into bloodstream with a carbonated base.
Control the flow of liquor by avoiding self-service bars.
Have bartenders adhere to strict serving guidelines:
Measure correct amounts of liquor in drinks—NO doubles. Do not serve individuals who appear to be impaired and ever serve minor.
Close the bar one hour before the end of the party and have non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and desserts. Available at that time.
If a guest has been drinking offer to drive him or her home or call a cab. Keep numbers of several cab companies around.
Know what safe ride programs are available in your area. Recruit people ahead of time who will not be drinking to help you make sure everyone has a safe ride home. Half of all fatal car accidents in southwest Florida involve alcohol.
The source for this information is the South West Florida addiction Services office for substance abuse prevention US Dept of Health and Human Services and The National Highway Traffic Administration of the Expartment of Transportation.
Some Non-Alcoholic Mock Tails
Designated Drivers Delight
2-½ oz. Orange juice
1 ¼ oz. Pineapple juice
1 ¼ oz. Cranberry juice
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
3-4 frozen strawberries
Mix in blender until smooth. Serve in a hurricane glass with orange slide and a strawberry
The Enforcer
Fresh brewed coffee
Whipped cream
Chocolate sprinkles
Sugar Cookies
Cinnamon
Pours Coffee into a mug and stir in two sugar cubes and a dash of cinnamon, Top with Whip cream and Chocolate Sprinkles.
Citrus Collins
2oz. Orange or grape fruit juice
1oz. Lemon juice
1oz. Simple Syrup
Fill a 10-12 oz. Glass with ice. Add ingredients above and then fill with club soda. Garnish with orange slide and cherry.
Hint: simple syrup in a saucepan combine 2 cups of sugar and I cup water bring to a boil stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil gently for 5 minutes. Makes about 2 cups will keep six months in the refrigerator.
PINK MIST
5oz. Grapefruit juice
1oz. Grenadine
2oz. Pinacolada mix
Splash of seltzer
Blend ingredients serve over ice garnish with pineapple and cherries.
Coffee Eggnog
2 eggs separated
1-tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3-Cup Sugar
1/3-Cup Instant Coffee
Dash salt
2 cups milk chilled
1-cup heavy cream whipped
Shaved unsweetened Chocolate
In a small bowl with electric mixer at high speed beat egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar until stiff formored. Gradually beat in coffee, salt, vanilla, milk and ¾ cup water. Stir in egg white mixture and whipped cream mix well serve well chilled with chocolate sprinkled over each serving makes 12 servings.
RED DELICIOUS PUNCH
Pour two bottles of nonalcoholic sparkling cider into punch bowl mix in 1 quart of cranberry juice float a frozen ice ring and garnish with sprigs of mint.
KAUX KIR
For each serving half fill a large wine glass with chilled white grapes juice stir in 1 tbsp non-alcoholic grenadine syrup fill with cold raspberry ginger ale.
NEW YEARS EVE KISS
Pour 2 oz passion fruit juice in a champagne flute fill with club soda
Arthur Kevin B Lewis is Chief executive officer of southwest Florida addiction service.
I know we all want to get drunk but we all have to be grown ups too and to have fun but be safe is the smart way to do things. This is a good way that someone who can not drink be it medical or other wise can fit in and if you are the driver of all your love ones and your friends you can drink something that you wont get drunk and and drive safe.
To all have a VERY HAPPY NEW years and be safe I don't want to loose anyone else this years this past year had enough death in
