Did you know that you could be still be over the limit the morning after a festive night out? My delicious and simple Christmas mocktails will give designated drivers a more interesting choice of drinks.
There are so many drinks parties, meals out and other celebrations at this time of year. If you’re driving, it may be tempting to have just one glass of wine or bottle of beer to celebrate with friends and loved ones.
But even one drink could be enough to put you over the blood alcohol limit for driving. And even if you are not driving straight away, you could still be over the limit the next morning. Some people may drive after a drink because they don’t realise that they are over the limit, or because they think that a taxi would cost too much.
But the cost of a taxi is nothing compared to the cost of being caught drink-driving. According to the DVLA, being caught driving or attempting to drive whilst over the legal limit or unfit through drink can have serious penalties. These can include 6 months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or a driving ban for at least 1 year. For more information, visit the Drink Aware website
And there is also the potential cost in terms of injury or loss of life to passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Sobering stuff, indeed…
If you’re the designated driver for your group of friends, then the non-alcoholic drink options can get a little repetitive. I usually end up opting for yet another Diet Coke, which doesn’t feel like much of a celebration. So for your Christmas party, try mixing up a couple of these mocktails to give the drivers a more exciting choice.
For all of my Christmas mocktails, make sure that you chill the ingredients in advance and serve the drinks over plenty of ice. Each recipe makes one drink, just stir the ingredients together in a glass. Double up for a longer drink or mix a pitcher full for a party.
And if your non-driving friends want to give the drinks an extra kick, they all taste great with a shot of chilled vodka mixed in!
Cool Breeze (front)
75ml Cranberry Juice
75ml Apple Juice
75ml Pink Grapefruit Juice
Ice
Soda Water if required
This is an alcohol-free nod to the Sea Breeze – it’s sharp, dry and really refreshing. You could swap the grapefruit juice for orange juice if you want to add a bit of extra sweetness, or top it up with soda water to make a longer drink.
To mix a pitcher, just mix together one part of each of the fruit juices with plenty of ice.
Christmas Cracker (left)
150ml Pomegranate Juice
75ml Ginger Ale
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
This is a sweeter mocktail, and the pomegranate juice gives it a really pretty colour. I use Ginger Ale, which you will find with the other mixers like tonic water and soda water.
To mix a pitcher of this mocktail, you need to use 2 parts Pomegranate Juice to 1 part of Ginger Ale, and then add a good squeeze of lime juice.
Mistletoe Kiss (right)
25ml Lime Cordial
75ml Ginger Ale
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
This is my favourite – I’d happily drink this any time of year. As above, I use Ginger Ale but if you wanted to give it more of a kick, you could use Ginger Beer (you’ll find that with the soft drinks).
If you prefer to mix up a pitcher full, this drink is 1 part Lime Cordial to 3 parts of Ginger Ale with a good squeeze of lime juice.
I hope you enjoy my Christmas Mocktails, and stay safe on the roads this Christmas!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
These sound delicious and I shall be trying them this Christmas. I do drink, but it’s nice to have some non-alcoholic options too.
Sally Akins says
It’s always good to throw some alcohol-free options into the mix, isn’t it?
Ana De- Jesus says
I like the sound of the Cool Breeze mocktail. I can’t drink so this gives me the perfect excuse to stay on soft drinks :)
Sally Akins says
Absolutely! These mocktails would be great for anyone who can’t drink because of medication or because they’re pregnant, not just the designated drivers
MsPrettyLThings says
I’m a big fan of mocktails and never touch the demon drink when driving. Great recipes, can’t wait to try them.
Sally Akins says
It’s definitely safest to avoid alcohol altogether if you’re driving. Thanks for commenting x
Kacie says
What a great cause to be promoting, it’s too easily brushed under the carpet at this time of year. Sadly, I think Xmas is when a lot of drink driving tends to happen.
Sally Akins says
It’s so easy to go over the limit, staying alcohol-free is definitely the safest option
StressedMum says
That is quite scary statistics really. I am usually the driver on a night out but my husband will drive if I fancy a drink, and you really dont have to have a drink to have a good time especially with mocktails :)
Sally Akins says
They’re definitely more interesting than another glass of coke or lemonade!
The London Mum says
Great mocktails. I do love a great mocktail, it feels like I’m not missing out as I’m always the designated driver!
Sally Akins says
I think if you’re having a party, it’s good to consider the people who are driving!
Diana Villa says
My favorite one is the Sea Breeze because it is an alcohol-free nod and it sounds just so delicious! :D
Sally Akins says
Thanks Diana! It’s very refreshing :-)
Emma says
Such a fantastic message. We are a non-driving household, but we don’t drink either. These look like a great alternative to fizzy drinks though x
Sally Akins says
It’s nice to have an alternative to fizzy drinks, isn’t it? I do get a bit bored of another glass of Diet Coke…
Sarah Bailey says
I don’t drink alcohol at all – so these are right up my street – I particularly want to try cool breeze I think. x
Sally Akins says
I find a lot of bottled soft drinks tend to be very sweet, so it’s nice to have something a bit more refreshing x
whatlauraloves says
These sound delicious! I’m really not bothered about drinking alcohol and not being able to be the one driving, I’d be quite happy to drink soft drinks or mocktails all evening and take the car as it saves on taxi costs. So many of my friends are the same. These cocktails sound lovely so will keep them in mind for our next get together xxx
Sally Akins says
Thanks Laura! I live out in the sticks, so if I’m going on a night out with friends I either have to stay over or stick to soft drinks xx
the house that never rests says
I love the sound of the cool breeze – these are fab ideas, i may give them a try over Christmas. It’s shocking the amount of people who drink and drive. I hate being on the road over Christmas.
Sally Akins says
I was genuinely shocked by some of these statistics, they’re very worrying
Natasha Mairs says
love a good fake cocktail and they are quite healthy too. Like the sound of the cool breeze one
Sally Akins says
Plus it’s not a bad idea to throw the odd non-alcoholic drink in, even if you aren’t the designated driver!
stella says
I love fake cocktails. This looks very tasty.
Rachel says
I do love a good cocktail and ive never tried these three, so ive added them to my list x