The American Automobile Association will continue its “Tipsy Tow” program for intoxicated drivers with a little twist this year, said AAA spokesman Chuck Mai.
This year the organization wants to discourage drivers from getting drunk in the first place by suggesting “mocktail“ recipes for enjoyable non-alcholic drinks at holiday gatherings.
Tipsy tow is a free service intoxicated drivers can use for a safe, free ride home. There are two rules. First, there is a 15-mile tow limit from the pickup point. Secondly, the ride will only offer rides home, which is where AAA officials believe a drunken celebrant should go.
AAA’s Tipsy Tow service started Friday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. in metropolitan Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Muskogee, Lawton , Shawnee, Ardmore and Enid.
Free rides home for people and their cars will be offered to AAA members and nonmembers alike through Jan. 1, 2010, no questions asked. Call (800) AAA-HELP and ask for Tipsy Tow.
Over the holidays up to 40 percent of all traffic crashes involve alcohol, Mai said.
Mai said AAA has put together a list of tasty, non-alcoholic drinks that may provide a wiser alternative to drinking alcoholic beverages.
“One of my favorite mocktails is a drink called a Reindeer Dunk,” said Chuck Mai , spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. “You just put two tablespoons of instant cocoa mix in a mug, pour in hot strong coffee, stir with a cinnamon stick and top with whipped cream. It sounds so simple but it is really tasty.”
Below are some favorite mocktail recipes.
Mockingbird
14 mint leaves
2 fresh strawberries
4 oz. simple syrup
2 limes
soda water
sugar cane
Muddle mint and strawberries with six crushed ice cubes. Fill a cup with ice mixture and add simple syrup. Squeeze in juice of limes, top off with soda water and stir. Garnish with mint sprig, sugar cane, and slices of lime and strawberry.
Chocolate-Covered Candy Cane
1 individual-serving package of hot cocoa
hot water
whipped cream
¾ oz. peppermint syrup
Blend hot cocoa mix and peppermint syrup with equal parts of hot water and whipped cream. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
3½ oz. half-n-half
2 oz. vanilla flavoring
1¼ oz. Hershey’s chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
dashes of ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, to taste
Mix all ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice, then strain. Garnish with whipped cream, cinnamon stick and extra chocolate.
Berry Bomb
½ cup strawberry juice
½ cup blackberry juice
½ cup raspberry juice
juice of 1½ oranges
¾ cup sugar
1 cup low-fat yogurt
Blend all ingredients with ice. Depending on size of glasses, makes 3 to 6 servings.
Kris Kringle Kooler
2 shaved Kiwi fruit
1 banana
1 12 oz. bottle pomegranate juice
1 oz. simple syrup
½ cup orange juice
½ cup cranberry juice
Fill blender with all ingredients, along with ice, and blend thoroughly.
Sleigh Ride Delight
2 scoops (7 oz.) of vanilla ice cream
2 oz. orange juice
4 oz. strawberry halves and strawberry puree
whipped cream
Blend first three ingredients. Rim a martini glass with sugar and line with 4 strawberry halves. Pour in mixture and top with whipped cream and one whole strawberry.
Happy Holidays!
