Bartenders Step up to Mocktail Challenge

Local law enforcement handed out citations – of merit – to area bartenders today for concocting alcohol-free drinks honoring designated drivers.Universal CityWalk mixologists squared off in the “Battle of the Bartenders” to decide who could create the very best “mocktails” and promote responsible holiday hospitality. Their creations were judged by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and LA County Sheriff’s Department, as well as from the DUI-Awareness group Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving (RADD). The beverages were judged for taste, appearance, creativity and simplicity.

Hosted by the Insurance Information Network of California and Universal CityWalk with RADD, the friendly competition demonstrated how party hosts can serve quality non-alcoholic drinks to help keep their guests safe on the ride home. The program was also supported by the California Highway Patrol.

Café Tu Tu Tango won top honors for the Raspberry No-jito, a smooth fruit-filled drink topped with mint.

The winner for creativity was Shanghai & Mein’s Snow Storm, a frozen treat. The flavor-icious award for best taste also went to Café Tu Tu Tango. The Saddle Ranch took home honors for presentation for its Monster Mango Mo-jito drink, a bubbling fruit concoction. Plus, The Daily Grill won the easy award for simplicity for its Cinnamon Soy Dream.

Recipes from the event will be available on IINC’s Web site at www.iinc.org shortly after the event.

Judges at the event included LAPD Lt. Rich Ackerman, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Lopez and MP3.com President Emily Richards. PJ Butta, on-air personality from KHHT-FM Hot 92 Jamz, served as Master of Ceremonies.

“IINC has hosted alcohol-free holiday bartender ‘battles’ across the state since 1996. They provide an important reminder that designated drivers can have fun and enjoy great tasting, creative drinks without alcohol,” said IINC Executive Director Candysse Miller.

Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 1,462 deaths in California in 2004, according to the California Highway Patrol. Another 31,538 people were injured. In Los Angeles County alone, 259 lives were claimed and 7,746 injured in alcohol-related collisions.