Mocktails for the NSW Seniors Festival

Purple mocktail in glass with sprig of rosemary and blueberries

Australians over 70 are the age group most likely to drink alcohol on a daily basis (National Drug Strategy Household Survey, AIHW 2019). It is important that older Australians are aware of the risks associated with long-term, frequent use of alcohol, and the alcohol guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The annual NSW Seniors Festival is a great opportunity to promote this message and start a conversation about healthier attitudes to alcohol.

Drug Info's collection of literary mocktails provide a fun alternative to alcohol with book-themed recipes to suit all tastes and seasons. To celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival the Drug Info team has created a western-themed recipe which pays homage to the 1968 Charles Portis novel True Grit. 'Blue Grit' combines the classic flavour combination of blueberry and lemon with soda water for fizz, a dash of hot sauce for that western spice and a sprig of rosemary to add the grit to a unique and delicious alternative to alcohol.

Order promotional postcards via our online form, and see below for ideas on promoting Blue Grit to your community.

Library promotions

Public libraries can support this mocktail campaign through online promotion and in-library activities and displays.

Activities and display

Create a western-themed book display, or add Blue Grit posters and recipe cards to your existing Seniors Festival display.
Include postcards in your home library service deliveries, and add to library book club kits.
Serve Blue Grit to attendees at NSW Seniors Festival events and other activities in the library.
Host a mocktail making event and invite attendees to make their own Blue Grit.
Play a round of Drug Fact Bingo and distribute Blue Grit recipe cards.

Social Media

Share the recipe via social media and feature the mocktail in your library's eNewsletter.

Promote Blue Grit through your library's social media channels. Use the suggested text below and download a selection of images to use here.

Spice up your afternoon with a Blue Grit, the latest addition to our collection of #LiteraryMocktails. A delicious and healthy alternative to alcohol with a western flavour druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/alcohol/literary-mocktails/blue-grit #NSWPublicLibraries #MakeitaMocktail
Escape to the old west with Drug Info's latest mocktail recipe. Blue Grit honours Charles Portis' 1968 classic and combines flavours of blueberry, lemon and chilli for a delicious alcohol-free western-themed treat. Learn more at druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/alcohol/literary-mocktails/blue-grit #NSWPublicLibraries #MakeitaMocktail
Looking for an alternative to alcohol? See Drug Info's literary mocktails page for some great book-themed recipes, including Blue Grit, a spicy western delight druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/alcohol/literary-mocktails #DrugInfo #NSWPublicLibraries #MakeitaMocktail

Promotional resources

Posters

Enhance your library displays with colourful literary mocktail posters, available to download as PDFs:

Blue Grit (PDF)
Literary mocktails (PDF)

Activity booklet

Looking for more ideas for promoting Drug Info in your library? Download a copy of the Drug Info Activity Booklet:

Drug Info activity booklet (PDF)

Video

The Alcohol: Get the Facts video is a great resource for promoting a healthy message about alcohol in your community. Share on social media or display on your library's digital screens:

Alcohol: Get the Facts square
Alcohol: Get the Facts square (with captions)

Promotional material

Need more Drug Info promotional material, eg The Facts postcards, the Standard Drink pocket guides? Order using our Drug Info promotional material order form.