St. Nicholas Day – December 6
The Feast Day of Saint Nicholas was traditionally accepted to be this day as he is said to have died on December 6 in either 343 or 345 AD. Known as the patron saint of children (also Brewers!), Nicholas eventually became the bishop in Myra, Turkey and was known for donating his handsome family inheritance to the poor. Many miracles for the poor were attributed to the bishop’s generosity, even after his death.
Following the protestant reformation in Europe in the 1500s, most Christians no longer publicly celebrated saints’ days. St. Nicholas was an exception however, especially in Holland, where he remained an important figure and the center of a holiday ritual; children put out their shoes for the saint, who would either fill them with presents and treats or with a lump of coal, depending on what the child deserved. The transformation of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus began in America in the 1820s with the poem “Account of a Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore.
Music Du Jour: St. Nicolas Playlist if you like to move; St. Nicholas Playlist if you like to sing
Films Du Jour:
- Nicholas, the Real Story (2015)
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)
- Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- The Santa Clause
Miscellaneous:
- Icons, stickers, posters, and more
- Nick trivia
- Medals, ornaments, and more
Snacks du Jour: Snacks for shoe stuffing; traditional main dishes from around the world
Cocktail Du Jour – St. Nicholas Nightcap
This recipe comes eatthis.com:
- 5 oz gin
- 25 oz pear brandy
- 75 oz triple sec
- 1 teaspoon honey syrup*
- 25 lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 5 oz pomegranate juice
- 4 sage leaves
Deseed a pomegranate and place a handful of pomegranate seeds into a glass. Muddle the seeds until the juice has been released. Add 0.5 oz of the pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker, along with a 0.25 oz. of lemon juice. Add 3 of the sage leaves to the glass and lightly muddle/press a few times so they become fragrant. Add in the honey syrup, the triple sec, the pear brandy, and the gin.
Place ice cubes in your shaker and shake for at least 8 to 10 seconds. If you’re using a mason jar, you’ll want to shake for about 14 to 15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass, or a cocktail tumbler.
Take the last sage leaf into your hand and give it a small slap to release the sage flavor. Garnish on top of your drink and serve!
* To make the honey syrup, combine 0.5 cups of honey and 0.25 cups warm water in a mason jar. Seal and shake for about 10 seconds, or until slightly foamy.
Mocktail Du Jour – St. Nicholas Nightcap Mocktail
- 5 oz Monday non-alcoholic gin
- 25 oz pear syrup
- 75 oz blood orange syrup
- 25 lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 5 oz pomegranate juice
- 4 sage leaves
Deseed a pomegranate and place a handful of pomegranate seeds into a glass. Muddle the seeds until the juice has been released. Add 0.5 oz of the pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker, along with a 0.25 oz. of lemon juice. Add 3 of the sage leaves to the glass and lightly muddle/press a few times so they become fragrant. Add in the blood orange syrup, the pear syrup, and the non-alcoholic gin.
Place ice cubes in your shaker and shake for at least 8 to 10 seconds. If you’re using a mason jar, you’ll want to shake for about 14 to 15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass, or a cocktail tumbler.
Take the last sage leaf into your hand and give it a small slap to release the sage flavor. Garnish on top of your drink and serve!
Beer Du Jour
Any label from St. Nicholas Brewing Company or an Efes Pilsener (Turkish Pilsner), Miller, Becks, or Fosters Lager (all replicated in Turkish breweries)
Wine Du Jour
Bishop’s Ring Cabernet Sauvignon or Bishop Pine Chardonnay
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credit: “St. Nicholas Icon” by bobosh_t is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
