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Recipes For Happy, Sober New Year's

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By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2007

CARROLLWOOD - It's that time of year when a holiday tradition doesn't mix with the laws of the road.

The Florida Department of Transportation has a plan aimed at designated drivers - now in its fourth year - which leaves alcohol out of the mix.

This year's "Recipes for the Road" continues a tradition of festive nonalcoholic drink ideas provided by restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay area for New Year's partiers.

"We've already gotten calls from some other restaurants that have seen the compilation and want to be in next year," FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said. "It's slowly catching on."

The nearly 50 recipes range from thick and sweet, to light and tangy.

The Candy Cane Latte from Tampa's You Do the Dishes features espresso and steamed milk with mint and cherry syrup. Candy canes are suggested as a garnish along with a dollop of whipped cream on the top.

Another drink, the Pink Sangria, hails from Citrus County's Stumpknockers. It includes equal parts orange, cranberry and pineapple juice with nonalcoholic White Zinfandel and ice.

Restaurants from Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties contributed to the list.

Booklets with the recipes may be found at contributing restaurants throughout Tampa Bay, on the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Web site, www.hcso.tampa.fl.us, or at FDOT's site, www.tbinterstates.com/home.

Carson said money is not involved with FDOT's partnership with the restaurants.

"It's basically free publicity for these restaurants," she said.

This year's recipe list was dedicated by Gov. Charlie Crist to the memory of Sgt. Ron Harrison, who was on the DUI squad of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Harrison was killed in the line of duty this year.

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