Driving this New Year's Eve? Try a mocktail
The Department for Transport has produced a number of non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to help designated drivers celebrate in style.
The Department for Transport is encouraging drivers to opt for non alcoholic ‘mocktails’ in a bid to cut down on drink driving this New Year’s Eve (31 December 2012).
It has produced a number of recipes – from a Berry Breezer to a Piña Banana – to appeal to those who are designated drivers on nights out.
The department is also warning party-goers to plan their way home in advance so they can celebrate the New Year in style, not in the cells.
A hard-hitting television advert highlighting the consequences of drink driving has been shown throughout December as part of the Department for Transport’s THINK! drink drive campaign.
Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said:
Our message is clear: have a great New Year’s Eve, don’t risk the consequences of drink driving.
If you get behind the wheel after drinking you risk losing your licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence.
In 2011, 280 people were killed in accidents where the driver was over the limit. Do not let 1 selfish and foolish decision ruin your or another family’s life.
Last year, drivers aged between 20 and 24 failed more breath tests than any other age group. This year’s THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign is aimed at young people who are shown to be consistently over-represented in drink drive casualty figures. THINK! advises planning your journey home well in advance and treating your designated driver to a non-alcoholic Christmas cocktail. The recipes are easy to make at home and provide a festive alternative.
The Department for Transport is currently consulting on a package of tough measures to crack down on drink drivers. This includes removing drink drivers’ rights to demand a blood or urine test. This is because evidence shows it is used as a delaying tactic by drivers caught over the limit.
The department has also supported Coke’s designated driver scheme, which offered buy 1 get 1 free soft drinks in pubs around the country throughout December.
ACPO lead for roads policing, Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, said:
Millions of people will be heading out for New Year’s Eve celebrations and we would ask the public to play their part in remaining safe.
We have seen hundreds of people die from drink driving this year and it has to stop. Innocent people are needlessly dying on our roads and people who make the decision to drive after taking alcohol or drugs are responsible.
If you are someone who drinks and drives, by making a decision to stop in 2013 could save someone’s life.
Notes to editors
It is provisionally estimated that 2011 saw 280 deaths, 1,290 serious injuries and 9,990 total casualties directly related to drink driving incidents.
The THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign budget totals £783,925.
For a high-resolution copy of the advert the THINK! ‘moment of doubt’ TV advert, contact the Department for Transport’s press office on 020 7944 6898.
THINK! campaign posters can be downloaded directly from the campaign site
For more information about the Department for Transport’s consultation into the removal of a driver’s right to a blood test, visit the GOV.UK website.
Read table RAS51004 to see drink drivers by age
Non-alcoholic Christmas Cocktail Recipes:
Berry Breezer
- half a fresh lime
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
- 100 millilitres of cranberry juice
- 50 millilitres of pineapple juice
- tonic water
Crush the lime and sugar together, add the juices, shake and strain over ice. Top with tonic and garnish with a lime wedge.
Elderflower Spritzer
- 50 millilitres of elderflower cordial
- 3 lemon wedges
- half a teaspoon of brown sugar
- soda water
- mint to garnish
Crush the sugar and lemon wedges together, add the elderflower cordial, shake, top with soda, stir and add more ice as required. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint.
Winter Warmer
- 75 millilitres of apple juice
- 75 millilitres of cranberry juice
- 2.5 teaspoons of honey
- lemon and cloves for garnish
Heat the apple and cranberry juice together for 1 minute in the microwave, stir in the honey and serve immediately in a heated mug or handled glass. Garnish with a clove-studded lemon wheel. For an extra twist replace the honey with spiced sugar syrup. To make this, mix some sugar gomme, vanilla pods, a cinnamon stick, a handful of cloves and some cardamom and allow to infuse for 3 days. Sieve the sugar and mix with the heated apple and cranberry juices.
Citrus Mock-tini
- 3 fresh kumquats
- 3 teaspoons of lime
- marmalade
- 25 millilitres of clementine juice
- tonic water
Crush the kumquats with the marmalade, add the clementine juice, shake, pour over ice and top with tonic. Garnish with spent kumquat shells.
Piña Banana
- 1 banana
- 1 teaspoon of almond syrup
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 50 millilitres single cream
- dash of pineapple juice
Blend all the ingredients together with some ice until frozen.
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