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• TRY COTSWOLD ALCOHOL-FREE COCKTAILS FOR A COOL YULE!

TRY COTSWOLD ALCOHOL-FREE COCKTAILS FOR A COOL YULE!

"Beer? No thanks, I’m driving – but I could murder a Guiting Power Glory or an Upper Slaughter Spotlight."

Cotswold District Council is promoting a new range of non-alcoholic cocktails to encourage Christmas motorists to stay sober and still enjoy some festive fun.  The cocktails, named after a range of Cotswold villages, are easy to prepare in both public houses and homes, and should be a hit with designated drivers and other drinkers looking for a tasty alternative tipple with no hangover effects.

Councillor Barry Gibbs, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, commented: "The police are doing a very good job across the county promoting their seasonal safe driving campaign, and we hope that by publicising these new cocktails we can help motorists avoid the temptation of drinking alcohol before driving. Cotswold District Council will be sending out the recipes to local hostelries and we’re also publishing them on our website. I am sure that they will go down very well."

The cocktails were named by Garry Handley, Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership’s Driver Trainer Manager, who said: "We are determined to reduce the number of drink-drivers on the roads and the misery that they cause.  The simplest way for motorists to stay safe and avoid being arrested is not to drink at all. Imbibing alcohol-free alternative drinks is one way of safely enjoying the seasonal celebrations – ‘have none for the road’ is the campaign message."

Garry added: "This year’s seasonal driver awareness campaign got underway across the County on 4 December with high hopes that the vast majority of residents will continue to act sensibly and safely.

"There was a 10 per cent reduction in drink driving arrests during December 2008 compared with the previous year, and it is very encouraging to see so many people taking a common sense approach by leaving the car at home and making alternative transport arrangements.  The Road Safety Partnership’s ‘advan’ is already doing its rounds around the County with a billboard displaying a powerful reminder of the serious risks incurred by drink driving. 

"There is always more we can all do to reinforce the dangers of drink driving, and full marks to Cotswold District Council for supporting this cocktail scheme so enthusiastically."

In fact, Cotswold District Council is hoping to increase Garry’s range of cocktail alternatives.  Residents are being invited to submit their own recipe for the Moreton Marvel, a non-alcoholic cocktail which has a name but awaits a recipe.  The creator of the winning entry, to be announced on Wednesday 30 December, will be able to  toast the New Year with a case of non-alcoholic champagne alternative, courtesy of Cotswold District Council.

The last word is with Garry, setting out the golden rules for the perfect host this Christmas:

• Think about your guest’s safety.
• Ask about how they are planning to get home.
• See if they can stay overnight if possible.
• Find the contact numbers of local Taxi or private hire companies – see if you can arrange a lift and even organise sharing if possible
• Have plenty of soft drinks, water and alcohol free drinks available
• Know who is driving – don’t offer them alcoholic drinks
• Let your guests know if there is alcohol in the food
• Allow time for delays when ordering Taxis
• Don’t let your guests drive if they have been drinking.

Cotswold Alcohol Free Cocktails – details:

Cirencester SUNDANCE

1 Part Grape Juice
1 Part Ginger Ale
Cherries

Mix well with ice in a cocktail shaker or screw-top jar. Strain into a cocktail glass. Decorate with a cocktail stick and cherry

Preston PUNCH

1 part red grape juice
2 parts ginger ale
2 parts sparkling white apple juice
Slices of fruit

Put all drinks into a punch bowl and stir. Garnish with slices of fruit

Farmcote FROST

10oz can of strawberries in juice
4 fl. oz. lime juice
½ pint lemonade

Blend until frothy. Pour into a jug and pop in a few ice cubes

Guiting Power GLORY

¾ pint pineapple juice
½ pint orange juice
½ pint sparkling spring water
2 passion fruit

Chill fruit juices and spring water. Halve the passion fruit and scoop seeds into jug. Add Juices and water. Mix well and then serve in tall glasses with ice

Snowshill ICE

1 Part Vanilla Ice Cream
2 Parts Apple Juice
Freshly Ground Nutmeg
Whipped Cream for Topping

Put Ice-cream into a blender and mix for about ten seconds. Add Apple Juice and a generous sprinkling of ground nutmeg. Blend until frothy. Top with Whipped Cream sprinkled with a little nutmeg

Upper Slaughter SPOTLIGHT

2 Parts Apple Juice
1 Part Ginger Ale
Dash of Lemon Juice
Dash of Lime Juice cordial

Half fill a cocktail glass with apple juice, add a dash of lemon and lime. Top up with ginger ale.  Chill well.

What were last year’s drink driving figures in Gloucestershire?

Last year’s drink drive campaign ran from 1 December to 1 January when Gloucestershire Police carried out 2604 breath tests resulting in 93 arrests. In the same period for 2007 there were 2240 breath tests and 111 arrests

What is the drink drive legal limit?

The legal alcohol limit for drivers in Great Britain is:

• 80 milligrammes (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood (80mg/100ml), or
• 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath, or
• 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine

The limit has remained unchanged since its introduction under the Road Safety Act 1967, which also gave the police powers to breath-test drivers suspected of drink driving.

What are the current penalties for exceeding the legal alcohol limit for drivers?

• up to 6 months in prison
• a fine of up to £5000
• a minimum of 12 months' disqualification (3 years for a second offence within that 12 month ban)