Holiday Drinking: Stay Safe with These Party Tips and Mocktail Recipes

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and enjoying traditions. Unfortunately, there’s an increase in accidents caused by drunk drivers around this time of year.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from alcohol-related crashes this holiday season by following the safety tips below and serving up some of our favorite alcohol-free holiday drink recipes!

Oklahoma Drunk Driving Statistics and Repercussions

It’s illegal in Oklahoma to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. Alcohol-related crashes injure nearly 2,500 and kill approximately 220 Oklahomans each year.

Luckily, there are laws in place to protect public safety, as 1.8% of Oklahomans report driving after drinking too much.

 

Being arrested for driving drunk in Oklahoma can cost more than $10,000 in fines and fees. Oklahoma law requires any driver convicted of a DUI to install an ignition interlock device in every car they own or is registered to them.

As a result of a conviction for first-time offenders, the interlock system will be required for 18 months. Having your license revoked is another penalty for impaired driving in Oklahoma. If an impaired driver fails or refuses a breath test, their license is confiscated immediately.

By working together and taking preventative measures, we can help keep Oklahoma safe and keep drunk drivers off the road.

 

Holiday Party Safety Tips

Getting together with your family and friends (socially distanced, of course) is one of the most wonderful parts of the holiday season. However, some guests will drink their way through a party and attempt to get behind the wheel afterward. If you’re hosting a holiday get together, here are six tips to help your guests safely enjoy the “spirits” of the season:

• Have plenty of alcohol-free drink choices for designated drivers or those who don’t wish to consume alcohol.
• Having a wide selection of food or hors d’oeuvres available encourages people to drink more moderately and slows down the effects of alcohol. Guests are more likely to become inebriated and leave if they are drinking on an empty stomach. 
• If you know your party will go into the wee hours, have a space ready for friends to stay to keep them off the road.
• A designated bartender can keep an eye on your guests’ alcohol consumption and cut off people who have reached their limit.
• Don’t be afraid to intervene if a friend or family member attempts to drive home drunk. Call a ride-sharing service on their behalf, take away their keys, or call the police for assistance.
  
   

Non-Alcoholic Holiday Party Drinks

Offering up a few mocktail options at this year’s holiday party is the perfect way to make everyone feel included, kids and nondrinkers alike. Celebrate the season with one of these easy, holiday-inspired non-alcoholic recipes. 

Cranberry Spice Christmas Mocktail

From the Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Ingredients:

1.5 oz sparkling water

2 oz cranberry juice

4 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

2.5 oz apple cider

10 cranberries (plus additional for garnish)

Orange wedge

Instructions:

Muddle cranberries and orange wedge in cranberry juice and then pour in the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon. Garnish with cranberries and orange peel and serve on ice.

 

Non-Alcoholic Hot Buttered Rum

From Barefeet in the Kitchen

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup Monk Fruit in The Raw Bakers Bag

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/16 teaspoon ground cloves

Boiling water

Half and half or heavy cream

Directions:

Combine the butter, sugar, Monk Fruit In The Raw, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

To make each drink, scoop 1 1/2-2 tablespoons of the buttered spice mixture into a small mug. Pour 1/4 cup of boiling hot water into the cup and stir or whisk to dissolve completely.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of half and half or cream, and stir once more. Taste, add more water or cream, as desired.

 

Maple Eggnog Mocktail

From the Culinary Institute of America

This holiday drink is absolutely delicious to serve in a punch bowl to guests. It can also be made the day before to save you some time.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons pasteurized egg yolk
• 4 ounces milk
• 2 ounces cream
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 tablespoons pasteurized egg whites, whipped

Instructions:

1. Place egg yolks, milk, cream, maple syrup, spices, and egg whites into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice and shake for approximately 10 seconds.
3. Strain into a glass.
4. Garnish with ground nutmeg on top.

Graves McLain is Here for You

Were you or a loved one injured by a drunk driver in Tulsa? Our experienced car accident attorneys have proven experience helping drunk driving victims obtain the compensation they deserve. At Graves McLain, we’ll be by your side every step of the way and will fight for the compensation you are entitled to.

Contact us today for a FREE consultation at 918-359-6600, or request a free legal evaluation online by filling out the form below.