Looking forward to Halloween? We are too! With more and more people in Ireland exploring sober-curious and mindful drinking, why not try throwing a different type of Halloween party too? A party with less alcohol doesn’t have to be less fun, and having alcohol this Halloween doesn’t mean you can’t be safe.
Plan ahead:
- Use a smaller glass: Drinking from smaller glasses can help us reduce the amount we are drinking. It can also slow down how fast we drink.
- Stock up on alcohol free alternatives: Some of the most popular drinks now have alcohol free alternatives. From beer, to spirits, to wines, you and your guests can enjoy their favourite taste without the alcohol.
- Food! Halloween is a time for festive foods – candied apples, barm brack and pumpkin pie. If hosting a small get-together make sure you have a selection of food for your guests
- Designated drivers and taxis: You should never, ever drink and drive. Organise designated drivers who will not drink at all, or gather a list of taxi companies that can be called to bring people home safely. Remember, it takes at least one hour to process one standard drink. A standard drink can be half a pint of beer, 100ml glass of wine or a 35.5ml measure of spirits.
- Try our drinks calculator to understand the real impact of alcohol on your health, wellbeing and bank balance
- Read more tips to drink less
During:
Try some of these spooky games this Halloween!
- Murder mystery: Someone pretends to be the victim. Someone pretends to be the killer. Everyone else has to figure it out.
- Truth or dare jenga: Write on an old jenga set with truth or dares. Players pull a piece each turn and play what’s on their piece.
- Pumpkin carving contest: A Halloween classic, and one you have to be sober for! Please be safe and carve something spooky.
- Try alcohol free drinks: Did you know that there is an alcohol free bar called The Virgin Mary? They’ve shared a delicious Halloween alcohol free cocktail recipes with us.
MOCKING SCARY MARY
As the dark nights draw closer, here’s a vibrant alcohol-free cocktail to brighten up your evenings and help celebrate all things spooky this Halloween!
| Ingredients | Measure |
| Mockingbird Spirit | 10ml |
| Everleaf Forest | 10ml |
| Orgeat Syrup* (or sugar syrup) | 10ml |
| White Grapefruit Juice | 20ml |
| Lemon Juice | 30ml |
Method:
Add all of your ingredients to a shaker with lots of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coup. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Both Mockingbird Spirit and Everleaf Forest are available via www.thevirginmarybar.com
*Orgeat syrup is a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange flower water. If you can’t get this, then add a simple sugar syrup instead as it will provide the sweet balance to the drink.
