Celebrity Christmas Puddings Could Put Drivers Over The Limit

As the festive season approaches, Halfords is warning drivers to be wary of the alcohol levels contained in some Christmas puds.

Research from the car accessories retailer shows that motorists could inadvertently go over the drink drive limit if they consume too many of the celebrity desserts that will be gracing our tables this Christmas.

Ex model turned chef Lorraine Pascal, whose new cookbook is predicted to top the non-fiction charts, shares her recipe for Winter Swiss Roll Bake, which includes 150ml of alcohol such as rum or sherry. Serving 8-10, one portion would contain at least half a unit.

If this is combined with an alcohol based sauce such as Marco Pierre White's Lemon Syallabub (serves 6), concocted with 15mls white wine and 50ml limoncello liqueur, the alchohol content would be even greater.

Jamie Oliver’s Hot Rummy Lemonade, which he promises will “get your jingle bells ringing” packs an alcoholic punch, with one serving contributing one unit to a driver’s alcohol intake.

With the drink drive limit 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, Halfords warns motorists to be careful of slipping over the drink drive limit this Christmas.

Paul Fensome, Halfords Travel Solutions Product Manager said: “Experts recommend no more than 4 units for men and 3 for women if you’re driving, but our advice is always not to drink. A 3 course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings may contain alcohol in many of the dishes. So much, in fact, that it may only take a small glass of wine before drivers can no longer drive safely or legally.

For those driving the next day Halfords is advising motorists to use the AlcoSense Lite Breathalyser, which means they can check if their body has metabolised any alcohol before they set out.

If you’re feasting on Heston Blumentol’s Cherry and Chocolate Pudding, beware of the alcohol contained in this tasty treat. 100ml of amaretto liqueur is added to the dessert, which serves 8, potenitally adding up to half a unit of booze.

Nigella’s Boozy British Trifle, which serves 20, contains 500mls of sherry, the equivalent of 10 units of alcohol, with one portion containing half a unit of booze.

An alternative to the traditional trifle, but no less alcoholic, is Delia Smith’s Caramelised Orange Trifle, which includes 150ml of madeira and a tablespoon of cognac.

When foods are cooked in the oven, anything from 5% to 85% of alcohol can burn off – so these figures are approximations.