Do you treat a glass of eggnog like drinking a light beer?
A poll by Bisnar Chase asked 2,002 respondents “whether they consider a range of Christmas cocktails – including eggnog, mulled wine and hot toddies – to be as strong as low-alcohol beer,” according to a release.
For Connecticut residents, 47% think so, according to Bisnar Chase, compared to a national average of 38%.
“In Connecticut, 55% of adults think eggnog packs no more punch than a light beer, while another 50% say the same about mulled wine,” Bisnar Chase went on to say. “And in the Constitution State, 36% also mistakenly believe that hot toddies count as low-alcohol cocktails.”
You can find what percent of each state considers “classic festive cocktails are the same strength as low alcohol beer” below, according to Bisnar Chase:
Curious what else they found? Check it out below, courtesy of Bisnar Chase:
The wider data shows how deep the confusion runs:
20% believe holiday cocktails don’t count toward the drink-drive limit.
57% admit they have unknowingly drunk more at a holiday party because the drinks were “festive” or “didn’t taste strong.”
46% expect warm drinks (such as spiked hot chocolate, lattes or mulled wine) to be weaker than cold cocktails.
And when faced with a menu item called Santa’s Milkshake, almost half (48%) would assume it’s alcohol-free.
The misunderstandings don’t end there. When asked which Christmas cocktails they believed they could legally drive after having one:
23% chose spiked hot chocolate.
10% chose a sugar cookie martini.
7% chose a snowball cocktail.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, 77% of Nutmeggers think restaurants and bars should label the alcohol strength of these drinks – a sign that people know they are operating with guesswork.
“People don’t set out to break the law at Christmas – they simply underestimate what’s in the glass”, said nationally recognized attorney Brian Chase. “Cocktails look fun and harmless, but their alcohol content doesn’t magically drop because it’s the holidays. Our concern is that this misunderstanding can put otherwise responsible people at serious legal risk. A single misjudged drink can lead to a DUI, licence suspension and consequences that follow you long after the decorations come down.”
