Though full of joy, the holidays can also be difficult. Stressful? Full of carefully chosen words designed not to upset those distant relatives you don’t quite see eye-to-eye with? Pittsburgh mixologist bartender Kaitlin Fellers offers a helping hand with a clutch of holiday-themed drinks for every personality. (Even the kids can get in on the fun.)
Handcrafted Holiday Beverages for Everyone
Kids’ Choice
“Anyone who has tried to cook for a kid knows how difficult their picky palates can be,” Kaitlin says. “Both parents and littles alike will appreciate the familiar childhood flavors of apple cider, lemon, and cinnamon in this spirit-free mocktail. Psst…For a more grown-up version, add 1.5 ounces of your favorite spirit!”
The Peacekeeper
According to Kaitlin, we all know a peacekeeper. “This person is skilled enough to see it all, hear it all, and somehow not drink it all. At any family gathering, you can typically find everyone’s favorite diplomat on the outskirts of the Great Holiday Battle and because of that, the peacekeeper deserves something that will soothe their nerves just before they have to wade in to soothe the annual family feud. Try brewing them a cup of calming, herbal tea with just a little kick of a soft, botanical gin to help them keep on going strong,” she says.
Drunk Uncle
“Even if you don’t have a literal drunk uncle, you can still find someone exuding Drunk Uncle Energy at the dinner table,” Kaitlin says. “Drunk Uncles love brown spirits and big ice cubes, so why not give them both with this variation on the Old Fashioned? The good news? After a few of these, a turkey dinner, and a La-Z-Boy, he’ll be passed out with the remote in no time. Hey, don’t change the channel…he’s watching that!”
The Babysitter
“In my experience, the babysitter is usually stuck at the kids’ table because they’re a recent graduate themselves,” says Kaitlin. Hanging somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, they’re too cool for the spirit-free beverages the kids are slurping down but not quite ready for the full-bodied reds their parents are enjoying with dinner. Enter: The Babysitter. Enjoy in a tall glass with dinner or split it into shots to get everyone to join in on the fun.”
Story by Maggie Weaver
Recipes by Kaitlin Fellers
Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce
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