Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins are gathering as spooky nights and creepy costumes are pegged squarely in our sights! It’s almost Halloween, and party plans are in full swing. You’re counting down the days to dressing up, but there’s more at stake on this spook fest than good old-fashioned tricks and treats. Alcohol-impaired driving incidents happen every day, but when it comes to DUI, Fox 13 News reports that Halloween is more deadly than New Year’s Eve!
In Salt Lake City, local law enforcement confirmed that Halloween is an “exceptionally fatal holiday when it comes to drunk drivers.” They dedicated an extra 160 officers to the roads in 2014 to try and get buzzed to obviously drunk drivers off the roads before deadly crashes or accidents occurred.
Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina are no exception. Our local law enforcement beef up their road presence every Halloween for exactly the same reason. But they shouldn’t be solely charged with the responsibility of a safe holiday. We can do our part by limiting or excluding alcohol this Halloween.
3 Non-Alcoholic Halloween Drinks
Regardless of whether you’re getting festive with adults or minors, alcoholic drinks are not a necessity for having a good time. Sure, they taste great, but there are non-alcoholic alternatives with just as much zing. Here are five alcohol-free Halloween drinks you can easily whip up:
#1: Witches’ Brew
There will be no zigzagging brooms this year! You will need:
- 6 cloves, whole
- 2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
- 1 1-inch piece of peeled and thinly sliced ginger
- 1 orange
- 1/3 cup of water
- 1/3 cup of sugar
- 1 bottle of sparkling cider, chilled
- 1 bottle of cranberry cocktail, chilled
- 1 bottle of club soda or seltzer, chilled
- Hand-shaped ice blocks.
Check out kitchn for full prep instructions and garnish suggestions.
#2: Gummy Worm Punch
Face it; gummy worms aren’t just for kids! They’re perfect for any Halloweeny drink. Here’s what you’ll need for this powerful punch:
- Hawaiian Punch – Green Berry Rush
- Lemon-lime soda
- Gummy worms
You’ll also need a muffin tin. Intrigued? Get the prep instructions at Bitz & Giggles.
#3: Pumpkin Butterbeer Hot Chocolate
You might be a Harry Potter fan if the mention of butterbeer just excited you! While we can’t say for sure if these hot chocolates were inspired by the series (okay, yes they were), they are a fantastic alcohol-free beverage. You will need:
- 4 1/2 cups of whole milk
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 6 ounces of milk chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup of butterscotch sauce
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of butter
Visit Half Baked Harvest for the complete recipe, prep instructions, and some photos of the end product that will make you want to turn your kitchen into the temporary home of Hogwarts.
Turning Alcoholic Drinks Into Non-Alcoholic Versions
Almost any alcoholic beverage has a virgin option. You just have to search for it or get creative. All of the recipes above could be modified for or away from alcohol. So as you prep for Halloween, look for ways to limit or remove alcohol. Not only will you be promoting a safer environment for your guests, but you’ll eliminate the possibility of their driving away under the influence.
4 Ways to Nip Peer Pressure on Halloween
What if you’re going to a party where alcohol will be served? First, remember that the only person who can make you drink is you. You have the power to drink, not drink, limit consumption, and find a different way home if you drink too much. Don’t let peer pressure turn your night into a nightmare. Here are four ways to nip peer pressure on Halloween:
- Designate a Driver: When you know alcohol will be involved, designate a driver beforehand. This person should remain alcohol-free at all times.
- Monitor Your Consumption: It can take as little as one drink to push your blood alcohol level over the limit. Yes, you might feel fine, but if stopped at a checkpoint, you’re in trouble. So monitor your consumption closely. Don’t drink anything alcoholic for at least an hour before driving. Be sure to drink water and eat.
- Have a Backup Plan: What if you get carried away and drink too much? Don’t try and drive! Have a backup plan in place before you find yourself in this situation. Be prepared to take a cab, catch a ride with a designated driver, or crash somewhere without driving.
- Say No: Revelries are great, and while alcohol may be served at the party you are attending, you can say no. Don’t let peer pressure change your mind. You don’t need alcohol to have fun, and if anyone pressures you to drink when you don’t want to (or decided not to), you’re better off bouncing.
- Plan to Stay: If a friend is throwing the bash and you’ll be drinking, why not plan to bunk at their place for the night? It just might be the safest and most fun option for everyone!
Underage Drinking on Halloween
If you live in the Charlotte Metro area, you may have seen several underage drinking billboards pop up in the past few months. With holiday season gearing up, community leaders are trying to spread the word that holidays like Halloween are no excuse for underage drinking.
If you’re under the age of 21, alcohol can damage your physical and mental development as well as cause legal ramifications for you and the person who supplies you with alcohol. Don’t risk a flurry of legal troubles and damaged relationships. Choose not to drink alcohol.
There are dozens of awesome events scheduled to kick off throughout our local community. Remember to drink responsibly. Don’t drink and drive. Buzzed drinking is still drunk driving—don’t do it. You have the power to have a great Halloween. Help keep Charlotte safe this year by promoting a responsible or alcohol-free night of fun!