| HOLIDAY TIPS |

BY PAUL BROWN

Ladies & Gentlemen , all ye here ! I now proclaim it to be the wassailing time of year . Raise your mug in health and good cheer , and let us repeat this year after year . As in days of old and told from young to old , Let us sound our dreams and wishes for all to behold . May the peace and goodwill of the holidays always live within you . Cheers !

Our traditions play a key part in the holiday season , especially food and drink . From casseroles and pies to punches and nogs , the holidays just wouldn ’ t be the same without some of our favorite food and beverage traditions .

In a year when change and uncertainty have become the norm , we need our holiday traditions now more

than ever . And — especially in 2020 — if traditions happen to include special adult beverages , well , that makes it even better .

My family , like so many others , has our own traditions that I always look forward to celebrating . You probably won ’ t be surprised to find that many of our holiday traditions revolve around beverages .

On Christmas Day , especially , we enjoy a variety of selections , including my father ’ s take on traditional English wassail . The recipe is a hot mulled cider that evolves each year with an extra jigger of this or dash of that . The service includes a wassail bowl along with personalized mugs that are brought out just once a year , only for this occasion .

As the years have gone by and these mugs are no longer available for purchase , the names on some of the mugs have had to be unceremoniously altered . But this is perfectly fine , as change is always a constant and we make the best of it . The question that now gets asked each year , “ Who got Al ’ s mug ?” has become as much a part of the family lore and tradition as the beverage itself .

The wassail fest is kicked off with a formal decree ( shown above ) and a raising of the mugs . It doesn ’ t end until everyone in attendance — from young to old — has given their holiday toasts . In case you are wondering , there is always a non-alcoholic version , as well as the spirited cider .

A mulled cider sure hits the spot during the holiday season , but the toasts and stories are even better — which is just the way it is meant to be .

Reminiscing about this family tradition got me wondering about what other beverages are celebrated over the holidays . So I reached out to a few of my mixology friends and asked these icons of the bar and beverage world what they enjoy to drink during the holidays .

Not surprisingly , they all had their own unique stories and amazing cocktails that they enjoy each year . Happily , they were willing to share these stories and recipes with us .

Whether you ’ re gathering in person or celebrating via Zoom for the holidays this year , the cocktails these mixologists have shared may be just what you need to start a new tradition , or at least add a little spirit to your 2020 holiday season .

Paul Brown is CEO of Tampa , FL-based Paul Brown Productions and the former national director of beverage for The Melting Pot / Front Burner Brands .

CHEERS @ HOME • WINTER 2020 | 5