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 This pomegranate spritz beverage combines pomegranate with orange juice, with some soda water for fizz. (Courtesy of the LCBO) |
We're in the midst of New Year's celebrations — enjoy the party! And drink responsibly. Temper your enthusiasm, and if your hosting an event this week or even next, always remember the well being of your guests comes first.
And for guests, that goes both ways. In other words, the best way to stop drinking and driving incidents is to make sure they never happen.
You can do this by serving refreshing non-alcoholic drinks to you and your guests.
Enjoy the following "mocktails" courtesy of the LCBO (lcbo.com.) (If staying at home, we've added an alcoholic twist to the recipes.)
EVERGREEN
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To a heatproof mug, add 1 tsp. (5ml) peppermint extract. Add 1/3 cup (75ml) hot coffee and 1/3 cup (75ml) hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream and garnish with a peppermint stick.
For a cocktail, simply add 2 Tbsp. (30ml) brandy, 1 Tbsp. (15ml) white creme de cacao.
HOLIDAY PUNCH
In a punch bowl, combine 4 cups (1L) pineapple juice and 4 cups (1L) cranberry juice. Pour in two 750-ml bottles of soda water. Top each drink with scoops of strawberry, raspberry or lime sherbet. Makes about 16 1-cup (250ml) servings.
For an individual cocktail, add 2 Tbsp. (30ml) of vodka.
ISLAND HOLIDAY
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3/4 cup (175ml) pineapple juice, 2 Tbsp. (30ml) passion fruit juice, 2 Tbsp. (30ml) mango juice and 1 tsp. (5ml) grenadine. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist or a pineapple spear.
For a cocktail, simply add 2 Tbsp. (30ml) gold rum.
HOLIDAY DELIGHT
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3/4 cup (175ml) orange juice, 2 Tbsp. (30ml) limeade and 2 tsp. (10ml) grenadine. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with 1/4 cup (50ml) lemon-lime soda and garnish with a lime wheel.
For a cocktail, simply add 2 Tbsp. (30ml) gin.
POMEGRANATE SPRITZ
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3/4 cup (175ml) pomegranate juice, 1/4 cup (40ml) orange juice and 2 tsp. (10ml) lime cordial. Shake sharply and strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.
For a cocktail, simply add 2 Tbsp. (30ml) cranberry vodka, 2 tsp. (10ml) orange liqueur.
CINNAMON HOLIDAY
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 Tbsp. (30mL) apple juice, 1 small piece cinnamon and 1/4 cup (50ml) cranberry juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane.
For a cocktail, add 2 Tbsp. (30ml) vodka.
CRANBERRY CELEBRATION
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1/2 cup (125ml) cranberry juice, 1/4 cup (50ml) orange juice and 1/2 tsp. (2.5ml) lime cordial. Shake sharply and strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and sprinkle with frozen cranberries.
For a cocktail, simply add2 Tbsp. (30ml) cranberry vodka, 2 tsp. (10ml) orange liqueur.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ALCOHOL:
Myth: Driving after only a drink or two is no big deal.
Fact: Drinking and driving is never okay. Impairment begins with your first drink. It's just not smart or worth putting yourself — and others — at risk.
Myth: Eating a big meal before you drink will keep you sober.
Fact: Food in your stomach only delays the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. A full stomach doesn't prevent the effects of alcohol or intoxication.
Myth: You'll be more affected by spirits than by beer or a glass of wine.
Fact: A drink is a drink is a drink. A 12-oz. beer (5% alcohol per volume), a 5-oz. glass of wine (12% alc./vol.) and a 1.5-oz. serving of spirits (40% alc./vol.) are all equal in absolute alcohol content.
Myth: A cold shower and a cup of coffee are good ways to sober up.
Fact: Although they may make you feel clean and awake, nothing sobers you up but time. Coffee is a stimulant — it'll keep you awake but won't sober you up.
Myth: Alcohol makes you sexier.
Fact: Alcohol clouds your judgment and makes you less inhibited. And, physiologically, alcohol reduces your performance. You could end up engaging in something you hadn't planned on, including unprotected and/or unwanted sex. That puts you at risk of unwanted pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV). Definitely not sexy.
Myth: It's none of my business if a friend is drinking too much.
Fact: If you're a real friend, it is your business.