Though it is celebrated as the “most wonderful time of the year” the holidays are also increasingly known for being the most dangerous time on the road. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, one quarter of road deaths involve a drunk driver. Campaigns like MADD’s Tie One On For Safety are trying to encourage people to celebrate responsibly and offer some great tips on how to host parties that promote safe drinking. One of their tips is to have plenty of fun non-alcoholic drinks for designated and non-drinking drivers, and we here at Bill Coats Law took a shine to that one. So here are some great ideas for some fun drinks everyone can enjoy:
This one is super easy, classy, and made with mixers you’ll probably need for your guests anyway:
- Equal parts apple and cranberry juice
- Sparkling clear lemon-lime soda like Sprite
- Fresh cranberries or apple slices (and maybe a mint leaf, for a pop of color) for garnish
- 4 Cups apple cider
- 1 Cup pear nectar (Can substitute with white grape juice if you cannot find any.)
- 3 Cups ginger ale
- 1 apple, diced (Cortland, Spartan, Empire, and Gala work well!)
Instructions: Combine apple cider, pear nectar, and ginger ale into a pitcher or punch bowl. Throw in the apples and enjoy!
And here’s a warm one. It’s a little more involved, but worth it!
Ingredients
- 1 quart high-quality apple cider
- 3 3-inch sticks cinnamon
- 5 cloves
- 4 cardamom pods, pressed until they just crack open
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seed
- 1/2 star anise
- 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
- Raw sugar to taste, only if needed
Directions
1. Turn slow cooker to high and add apple cider. Cover and set aside.
2. Heat a small skillet on medium-high and add spices. Toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and coriander seeds begin to darken. Set aside and either transfer to a reusable spice bag or add loose to cider.
3. Cover and let cider mull on high (reduce if it begins to bubble) for about 4 hours, or until spice flavor is well-infused. Ten minutes before serving, add brandy. Add sugar, rounded teaspoon at a time, if cider is too tart (sugar will bring out flavor of spices if needed).
4. Serve plain, or with a slice of lemon, extra brandy, or a small grating of nutmeg. If keeping warm for service, remove spices.
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