Uncorked: Tips and tricks for drinking responsibly

December 19, 2012

As Aussies, it’s second nature to have a drink in hand on a hot summer’s afternoon. With the heat having set in and the festive calendar fast filling up with end of year celebrations, it’s inevitable most of us will knock back a cocktail with the ladies or toast a celebratory drink to the new year ahead. Don’t get us wrong — we like a wine with friends just as much as the next person — but the start of the silly season heralds a timely reminder to think before you drink. Follow these tips and tricks for drinking responsibly to ensure your summer goes down smoother than a Long Island iced tea.

1. Keep count

When you’re caught in the moment and catching up with friends, it’s easy to forget how many drinks you’ve had — particularly when your fellow partiers are shouting rounds for the group. Owner Manager of The Creek Tavern, Sam Tomich said it is a good idea to keep track of how may drinks you’ve consumed so you can determine whether you are OK to drive home or need to arrange a lift.

“A useful trick is to save the straws from your cocktails or bottle caps from beers so you know how many drinks you’ve consumed,” Mr Tomich said.

2. Select still over sparkling

While a vodka, lemon, lime and bitters is a popular choice for many women, it sometimes pays to swap the bubbles for something with a little less snap, crackle and pop. Dr Emile Brits from Bundilla Clinic, Mooloolaba said carbonated beverages tend to get you intoxicated much more quickly than their still counterparts. “Carbonation decreases the time it takes for alcohol to be absorbed into the bloodstream so you’ll start to feel the effects of the alcohol in a relatively short period of time,” Dr Brits said.

3. Eat up

Eating before you drink presents a number of benefits so it’s a good idea to chow down before you wind up. Dr Brits said including carbohydrate-rich foods like bananas in your pre-drinking meal can be useful as they lessen the likelihood of developing low blood sugar levels while out on the town.

“However, don’t be fooled by the notion that eating before you drink will stop you becoming intoxicated — it won’t. It will simply slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream,” Dr Brits said.

“It’s also helpful to have a glass of water between drinks as alcohol dehydrates the body.”

Mr Tomich said The Creek Tavern provided a number of dining options for people looking to have a drink on a full stomach.

“Whether it’s enjoying a gourmet sit-down meal in the tavern’s restaurant or terrace area or simply sharing a herb bread over a glass of wine, our experienced chef caters for all tastes and occasions.”

4. Find a ‘Deso Dave’

For those of you without the token buddy called Dave, it pays to find a friend that is happy to stay within the legal limit — or better yet, remain sober —and be your designated driver so you get home safely after a night out.

With alcohol and drug driving a factor in as many as 30 per cent of fatal crashes in Queensland, it is critical we make a concerted effort to find an alternative way home when planning to have a few drinks.

Mr Tomich said catching a courtesy bus was another great way to enjoy a night out with friends while also saving a designated driver the trouble of making multiple drop-offs.

“We offer a courtesy bus service at the Creek Tavern on both Friday and Saturday nights and also cater for special functions on request,” Mr Tomich said.

“It takes the stress out of the night and ensures everyone gets home safely.”

5. Know how much you’re really drinking

While it’s easy to assume one glass contains one standard drink, this is not always the case. A standard 100ml serve of 13% alcohol volume red wine classifies as one standard drink; however, a cocktail in a similar size glass may contain significantly more alcohol.

Dr Brits said people often think if they’ve only had two drinks they’re fine to drive home.

“This isn’t always the case as drinks like port or some ciders have significantly higher alcohol content than other alcoholic beverages so you can easily become intoxicated after drinking only a small amount,” Dr Brits said.

“While you may not realise it, even a small amount of alcohol can affect your body. At a blood alcohol reading of just 0.02 (0.03 below the legal limit) you may experience slow reaction times.”

“If you’re unsure how much alcohol is in the drink you’re consuming, don’t hesitate to ask the bartender. They’re usually more than happy to answer your questions.”

The Creek Tavern is located in Karawatha Drive, Mountain Creek and offers an elevated pub dining experience for those looking to celebrate in style this summer. For more information regarding the tavern and its courtesy bus service, visit www.thecreektavern.com.au or call (07) 5478 1333.

Ends.

For further media information or interviews, please contact Maya from Fresh PR & Marketing on 07 5351 1010 / 0410 109 102 or email maya@freshprm.com.au

[nggallery id=59]