ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A non-alcoholic drink mixing competition Thursday sought to show people that you can have fun at the coming holidays while staying sober and safe.
The Lehigh Valley DUI Highway Safety Task Force's annual Spirit-Free Mix-Off at Lehigh Valley Health Network-Cedar Crest Hospital promoted safe driving over the holiday season.
It featured personalities from four media outlets — including Lehigh Valley Public Media, which owns LehighValleyNews.com.
They served four types of non-alcoholic cocktails, or "mocktails," giving attendees the opportunity to vote on their favorite — and take home the recipes.
"... We have the Christmas holiday, New Year's and various other holidays coming up, it's a way to enjoy it without having alcohol, and showing people that you can still have a party and serve non-alcoholic drinks..."Brian Downs, director of media relations for LVHN
"We have media personalities serving four different drinks," said task force co-chairman Brian Downs, who also is director of media relations for the Lehigh Valley Health Network.
"And then we have some of our colleagues here at Lehigh Valley Health Network, our visitors, patients, anyone who passes by would be interested in tasting them and voting for the winner of their choice.
"They can put a ticket in a bucket in there. Then we'll choose a winner in another couple of hours, and that winner gets $250 donation by the task force to the charity of their choice."
Peach Bellini station
At a folding table with a giant jug of peach-colored liquid on top, Mike Kelly and Becca Jean from the B104 morning show on radio station WAEB-FM 104.1 served up Peach Bellini mocktails.
Kelly, with a strikingly jovial demeanor, joked with each attendee that came up to the desk.
"It's full of peach, raspberries and the Christmas spirit of the Lehigh Valley," he said to one guest. "That's the secret ingredient. All of the Christmas spirit, we put it in here.
"They're alcohol free mocktails. So you can still enjoy a holiday party without drinking."
Jean, his co-host, chimed in: "Fresh, fresh peaches. The fresh peaches are peeled, pitted and sliced, and then there's peach juice, sparkling apple cider, and it's topped with fresh raspberry.
"It's a nice little, because you get the same flavors instead of the alcohol, so it's a safer thing to enjoy during the holiday and after the holiday as well.
"And especially the New Year — you know, New Year, new you. So calories are important."
The attendees at this station seemed to love the drink.
"This is phenomenal," one guest said after trying a sip.
Kelly and Jean ended up winning first place.
Spirit of the event
Downs said the event is not only a competition or charity event, but carries a message with an eye on public safety.
"It's a way you can enjoy the holidays," Downs said. "It's a way to enjoy it without having alcohol, and showing people that you can still have a party and serve non-alcoholic drinks, especially if you have people driving to your party."
Downs said the message also is important year-round.
"It's also to get the message out at all the time, not just around the holidays, to not drink and drive, no underage drinking, just be careful," he said.
"And also practice highway safety, different highway safety methods, and try to take care of yourself, your family, your friends, everyone else out there."
As for his favorite drink, Downs said: "I've only tasted one. It was the Horchata, and it's very good, but I'll have to taste the others before I can actually give you a final decision on that."
Winners of the mix-off, out of 300 votes, were:
- 1st place: Becca and Mike from the B104 morning show on radio station WAEB-FM 104.1, with a peach Bellini
- 2nd place: Jerry Padden from radio station WCTO-FM, Cat Country 96, with a Horchata
- 3rd place: Brittany Sweeney from LehighValleyNews.com with a peppermint hot chocolate
- 4th place: Melanie Falcon and Jim Vaughan from TV station WFMZ-TV Channel 69 with a holiday punch.
