Tips for Party Givers

The National Commission Against Drunk Driving (NCADD), a member of the National 3D Prevention Month Coalition, offers the following great ideas for party givers:

1. When your guests arrive, collect their car keys. That way, when they are ready to leave, they can get a second opinion on whether or not they are sober enough to drive.

2. Always serve food with alcohol. High protein and carbohydrate foods like cheese and meats are especially good. They stay in the stomach much longer, this slows down the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol.

3. Have several self-measuring ounce bottle spouts at the bar to mix drinks. Guests are less likely to drink excessively when standard measures are used.

4. If you serve alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base such as fruit juice. The body absorbs alcohol faster when mixed with carbonation.

5. Serve non-alcoholic beverages. It is possible that some of your guests will not want to drink alcohol.

6. Do not force drinks on your guests or rush to refill their glasses. Some guests may not want to seem rude and will accept drinks they do not want.

7. Stop serving alcohol about two hours before the party is over. Guests then have time for their bodies to absorb the alcohol consumed. Serve coffee or other non-alcoholic beverages as well as food.

8. If you observe a guest drinking too much:

* Engage him/her in conversation to slow their drinking.
* Offer high protein food like shrimp, pizza or spare ribs.
* Offer to make the next drink with a non-carbonated base.

Non-Alcoholic “Mocktails”

Below are non-alcoholic recipes to try provided by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles:

Designated Driver’s Delight:

* 2 1/2 oz. orange juice
* 1 ¼ oz. pineapple juice
* 1 ¼ oz. cranberry juice
* 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
* 3-4 frozen strawberries

Mix in a blender until smooth. Serve in a hurricane glass with an orange slice and a strawberry.

The Enforcer:

* Fresh brewed coffee
* Whipped cream
* Chocolate sprinkles
* Sugar Cubes
* Cinnamon

Pour coffee into a mug and stir in 2 sugar cubes and a dash of cinnamon. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

Source: National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month Coalition, “Party Ideas and Recipes,” www.ncadd.com.