18th Zero Proof Mix Off gives alternative options to alcohol (Video)

ELYRIA — Sugary sweet concoctions filled the room in Lorain County Community College on Thursday night for the 18th annual Zero Proof Mix Off. Twenty two groups made holiday beverages and competed to be the ultimate winner at the Safe Communities Coalition of Lorain County's event to have the best drink with one condition: no alcohol is allowed. This year, the Lorain County Recovery Court group took a Grinch theme with its Recovery is Who-tiful. But to them, the Grinch had a deeper theme. "In the most recent version of the Grinch, he was abandoned and he had trauma, which a lot of our patients have," said Giovanna Bremke, a defense attorney with the court. "Our clients have to go to different sober events and sober activities and it's actually difficult to find a sober event." Recovery is Who-tiful took home the top prize with best overall. Bremke said the mix off and the recipes that come out of it give people who are sober and want to stay sober options without feeling left out of the fun. The mix off is designed to bring awareness to sober driving and also to provide options for designated drivers at parties without feeling left out. The most alcohol related crashes happened in August and December for years 2011 to 2018. And so far in 2019, 38 percent of fatal crashes have involved alcohol. "This event started in 2002," said organizer Katie Bevan, project manager for Lorain County Public Health. "We've been holding it annually since then for the purposes of encouraging holiday hosts to offer non-alcoholic beverages to their guests so that everyone has a chance to have fun and join in the festivities, and especially designated drivers who really keep our roads safe." Hundreds of people turned out for the event, trying out the different beverages and casting their vote for their favorite drink, which would be the winner of the people's choice award. Bevan said the event has grown over the years from the very first one 18 years ago. "It's incredible," she said. "It's really awesome. ... It's grown. I remember my first event 11 years ago and we maybe had 100 people, 250, and now I'm sure tonight we have over 500 people, at least." The Ohio Highway Patrol's Elyria post was hoping for its third win in a row with their Cuddles on the Beach drink, which consisted of cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, peach nectar, grenadine and ginger ale. Although the post didn't win an award this year, Sgt. Ray Santiago said that more importantly, the event brings organizations together for more than just fun, but to support the effort of driving safely. "It goes such a long way," he said. "We can't do it alone. This sheds a light on sober driving and gives a side of things we can't give. ... At its core is everyone taking care of each other. It's important for everyone to feel involved and have a good time." And of course, the troopers kept with its annual tradition of cheering for every vote their drink received. The other award winners were: People's choice: Pumpkin King's Cider, mixed by Firelands Counseling & Recovery Services; Best taste: Metro Park Maple Cider, mixed by Lorain County Metro Parks; Best student drink: Christmas at Hogwarts, mixed by Lorain County JVS FFA; Best name: Farley's Frappe, mixed by Lorain County Prosecutor's Office, Project Outreach (Farley is the Prosecutor's Office facility dog, a yellow Labrador); Best presentation: Methyl Ethyl Mistletoe, mixed by Lorain County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. A full list of the drinks and recipes from the 2019 Zero Proof Mix Off will run in next week's Chronicle-Telegram. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com