Resources

What Every Host Needs to Know

Don’t rely on coffee to sober up your guests. Only time can make someone sober.
Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.
Don’t rely on someone’s physical appearance to determine if he or she has had too much to drink.
Mixers won’t help dilute alcohol. Carbonated mixers like club soda or tonic water cause alcohol to be absorbed into a person’s system more quickly. Fruit juice and other sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause people to drink more.

Planning A Party with Polish

There’s a reason it’s called throwing a party– a host has to be ready to catch some curve balls and juggle the unexpected when it comes to staging an event that’s fun, entertaining and safe for everyone. Responsible hosts know that part of showing guests a great time is making sure they get home safely. Dealing with safe driving is an important hosting duty so we’ve compiled some quick tips to help you throw a memorably successful party without tossing caution to the wind.

Plan activities like party games, door prize drawings or amateur fortune-telling. Planned activities engage people, make for less active consumption of alcohol and ensure that your friends remember the great event long after the last piece of confetti has settled.
As guests RSVP, confirm that at least one person in each group is prepared to be the non-drinking designated driver.
Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach.
Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.
Offer non-alcoholic beverages or mocktails for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.
If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, like fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream faster with a carbonated base.
Be prepared by having the number of a taxi service on hand for those who need a ride. Also, be ready with some clean linens so you can turn your sofa into a hotel for guests who need to sleep it off.

During Your Party

Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age, and never ask children to serve alcohol at parties.
Don’t let guests mix their own drinks. Choosing a reliable “bartender” will help you keep track of the size and number of drinks that guests consume.
If a guest appears to be drinking a bit much, offer to freshen his or her drink with a virgin version.
Do not push drinks! Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time.
Have fun – but not too much fun. To be a good host, you should stay within your limits in order to make sure your guests stay within theirs.
Close the bar 90 minutes before the party ends and serve a great dessert treat with coffee. Remember, only time sobers someone who has been drinking.
If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, drive them home, arrange for a ride with another guest who is sober, call a taxi, or invite them to stay over.

If a guest is drinking too much

How do I approach one of my guests who has had too much to drink? I mean, I don’t want to lose a friend.
The first time is the hardest, but your actions could save your friends life or that you cannot let them drive home because you care. Offer to let the guest spend the night, call a cab, or ask a sober guest to drive the intoxicated person home.

Engage him/her in a conversation to slow down the drinking.
Offer high protein food.
Offer to make the next drink and use less alcohol.
Don’t be afraid to insist that they sit out the sipping for awhile or switch to beverages of the non-alcoholic variety– sparkling cider makes a great substitute for a glass of champagne.

How will I be held responsible if one of my guests is involved in a crash?
The laws vary from state to state, but you could be held responsible for the costs associated with the crash, including medical bills and property damage and be sued for emotional pain and suffering.

Myths and Facts About Drinking and Driving

Myth: Coffee can sober up someone who has had too much to drink. Fact: Only time sobers. It takes about one hour to oxidize each drink.
Myth: Hard liquor is more intoxicating than beer or wine. Fact: A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as 1 1/2 oz. of liquor.
Myth: Someone who has had too much to drink will look intoxicated. Fact: Someone’s physical appearance can be misleading. One drink can impair someone’s ability to drive. Judgment is the first thing affected when someone has been drinking and important motor skills are next.

How to Spot a Drunk Driver

These warning signs should be your signal to take down a license plate number, a description of the vehicle and the direction in which it was traveling to report to the proper authorities. Do not attempt to stop the vehicle.

Straddling lanes or driving on the center line
Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway
Driving with headlights off at night
Erratic braking or stopping without cause
Driving below the speed limit
Slow response to traffic signals (sudden stop, delayed start)
Nearly striking an object, curb, etc
Weaving or zigzagging across the road
Driving on the wrong side of the road or completely off the road way

Tailgating

Receipies

Non-Alcoholic Party Drink Recipes

Safe Party Guide

Sparkling Apple-Peach Sunrise  One 10 oz. can of non-alcoholic peach juice.  Two cans full (20 oz.) of sparkling cider  Ice cubes (as many as desired) Blend ingredients in a blender. Pour into a tall flute glass. Add half ounce of grenadine for the sunrise effect.  Makes approximately four 8 oz. glasses

Sparkling Ice Cream Soda  6 oz. sparkling cider  One scoop vanilla ice cream  2 oz. soda water  1 maraschino cherry Pour sparkling cider into a tall glass. Add ice cream. Fill glass with seltzer while stirring. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Sparkling Rainbow  6 oz. sparkling cider  1 scoop sherbet  1 fresh mint sprig Pour sparkling cider into a tall glass. Add sherbet, and garnish with mint.

Sparkling Smoothie  6 oz. sparkling cider  1/4 cup fresh strawberries  1/2 banana, ripe  2 ice cubes  Blend all ingredients. Pour into a tall glass.

Lemon Strawberry Punch  6 cans (6 oz. each) lemonade 1 punnet (10 oz.) strawberries, 1 quart ginger ale, chilled  In a large punch bowl, prepare lemonade concentrate as directed on can; stir in strawberries with syrup). Stir in ginger ale and, if you wish, add small scoops of strawberry ice cream or ice cubes. Makes 28 servings (1/2 cup each)

Winning Tea Punch  1/2 cup 100% instant tea  2 quarts water  1 6 oz. can frozen limeade  1 6 oz. can frozen lemonade  1 6 oz. can frozen pineapple juice concentrate  1 pint cranberry cocktail juice In punch bowl, combine instant tea, water, concentrates, and cranberry juice. Just before serving, add ice. Makes 25 servings 5 oz. each)

Double Lime Punch  1/2 pint (1 cup) lime sherbet, softened  2 can (6 oz.) lime juice ,2 bottles (7 oz. each) ginger ale, chilled  2 cups water In punch bowl, stir together all ingredients. Serve in punch cups. Makes 10 servings (1/2 cup each)

Mild-Eyed Margaritas  2 cups lemon or lime soda  2 tablespoons sugar   Juice of 1/2 lime  Salt  Crushed ice Pour soda into ice cube tray or shallow pan, freeze. Place frozen soda in blender, add lime juice and sugar. Blend until well-mixed. Rub lime around rim of glass and then dip glass into salt. Pour mixture over crushed ice and then into salted rim glasses. Garnish with lime slice.

Percolator Punch  2 quarts apple cider or juice  2 quarts cranberry juice  1 quart pineapple juice  1/2 cup brown sugar  1 tablespoon whole cloves  1 tablespoon allspice  4 cinnamon sticks, 3 inches long  2 lemons, thinly sliced, then quartered Pour liquids into 30 cup coffee pot percolator. Put remaining ingredients in percolator basket and brew for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Holiday Punch  1 large jar cran-grape juice  1 liter bottle ginger ale  1 container orange sherbet  Whole cranberries  Combine juice and ginger ale. Add sherbet by small scoops. Top with cranberries.

Peach Fuzz  1 cup peach daiquiri mix  1 1/2 cups 7-Up  2 tablespoons lemon juice Add ingredients and ice cubes, blend on high for 15 seconds.

Hot Cran-Apple Cider  2 quarts apple cider  1 1/2 quarts cranberry cocktail  1/4 cup brown sugar  3 inch cinnamon sticks  1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves Heat to boiling; reduce hear and simmer 15-20 minutes. Strain.  Makes 25 servings (1/2 cup each)

Jogger's Nog  1 1/2 cups pineapple juice (chilled)  1/2 cup plain yogurt  1 tablespoon honey  6 ice cubes  Combine ingredients in blender container. Cover and run on high until well blended. Serve in chilled glasses.  Makes 2 servings