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Derek Brown

Jan 30 • 10 tweets • 2 min read

Some thoughts on #DryJanuary.

1. You don’t have to participate and most people don’t. That’s OK. The goal isn’t necessarily to get people to stop drinking or even drink less. The goal is to offer a lifesaver to people who are drowning and/or tired from treading water.

(thread)

2. If you’re judging people for drinking or not drinking, you have the problem. This conversation needs compassion, understanding, and love. Anything else is noise. Ignore it. My mute button has been busy this January.

3. Dry January doesn’t hurt bars or restaurants and that’s always been a false dichotomy. You can make non-alcoholic drinks. But, to be sure, you don’t hear ice cream shops complaining about diabetes and diets.

4. If you started and didn’t finish, you’re not a failure. You are human. If it’s still a problem, you can do Alcohol Free February, Minus March or whatever the hell you want to call it. It doesn’t matter. Sometimes it takes multiple tries to quit or reduce drinking. Stick w/ it.

5. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news when you’re feeling so good but…

If you feel healthier and better after a month without booze, then that’s a good sign you should limit or eliminate drinking in your life.

6. If you decide that February 1st is time to go hog wild, you may have missed the point. This isn’t about binge and purge. This is about reflection. If you’re returning to drinking, it’s best to do so mindfully.

7. Alcohol isn’t healthy. Not everything you do has to be “healthy.” But you should have a healthy perspective on doing unhealthy things, or at least an honest perspective.

8. Love yourself. Seriously, this isn’t bullshit self-help. This is everything. Love yourself and give yourself what you need: time, patience, a stern talking to. Be your own best friend. Ask yourself, what do I need right now? Spoiler alert: It’s probably not alcohol.

9. If what you need is help, get it. Knowing that is a beneficial outcome of Dry January, not a failure. Realizing you can’t do it alone. Reach out to professionals, family, friends. It changed everything for me. What seemed like weakness at the time was/is my greatest strength.

10. If you made it through Dry January (and this thread), I commend you. You’re stronger than you think. You’re greater than you think. There’s no prize or medal. But there is a reward. You get to know yourself and what you’re capable of achieving. That’s a win in my book.

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More from @ideasimprove

Derek Brown

@ideasimprove

Aug 11, 2021

Many people don’t know what they want at the bar. They stand and stammer, have a default order they heard someone else make, or pick something from the menu that approximates what they think they like. The best bartenders learn to ask good questions to help. Here’s how I do it:

It’s called triangulation. You pick three aesthetic criteria like:

“What kind of spirit do you like?”

“Do you like sours or boozy cocktails?”

“Do you want it up or on the rocks?”

Let’s say someone answers like this:

“Gin, sour, rocks”

Then it would be easy to suggest a Tom Collins.

Or this:

“Bourbon, boozy, up”

Maybe a Boulevardier.

Read 4 tweets

Derek Brown

@ideasimprove

Aug 10, 2021

It’s been awhile since I’ve bartended, but I want to tell you about some of the most important life lessons I’ve learned from behind the stick. I’ll probably pepper these through the day so stay-tuned. And, as always, feel free to share your own.

Thread. #BartenderLifeLessons

1. Don’t Be That Guy

We all know that guy (or gal or person). I scarcely have to tell you the story but let’s do it anyways. That guy was an elderly Australian women in my case. She was a regular that would get tipsy and hang all over everyone, uninvitedly talking their ear off.

One evening she chased other regulars away, leaned over the bar and—insisting she whisper in my ear—said, “I used to be a nude model.” I had enough. I told her: I’m sorry if I’m the first to tell you but you’re annoying and 86d her. Don’t be that person. Be aware of other people.

Read 14 tweets

Derek Brown

@ideasimprove

Nov 2, 2020

Sober October is over, for some of us, but what a ride it was. Instead of drinking water and watching sermons—though I did both, too—I drank so many exciting NA beverages. Here’s my top 10 new favorite NA drinks I had during October:

1. Monday Gin Alternative

It’s Monday right now, so pour yourself a gin alternative. Why not Monday “Gin”? Strong juniper notes, spice, citrus—everything you expect from a good gin—with a decidedly bitter finish, it’s a great stand in for London Dry. drinkmonday.co

@everleafdrinks

2. Everleaf NA Bittersweet Aperitif

If Lillet was better, it would taste like this (and it would source using sustainable practices). But it doesn’t. Everleaf does. I would use this in alcohol or no alcohol drinks. Or, just drink it on the rocks with tonic.
@everleafdrinks

Read 11 tweets

Derek Brown

@ideasimprove

Aug 3, 2020

There’s a reckoning that has to happen in the cocktail world beyond the very just criticism of who works at them & who cocktail bars are for, intersecting race, gender, and class. We also hold up symbols of white supremacy, which are intricately tied to the history of cocktails.

For one, Tiki drinks are delicious and a much needed escape, but who escapes? Definitely not Pacific Islanders and other indigenous cultures being referenced in the garish and fabricated images meant to represent them. eater.com/2019/10/7/2089…

How about David Embury, a person I’ve frequently referenced, and who is a hero of the classic cocktail re-emergence, who is a noted racist. thedailybeast.com/the-bigot-who-…

Read 8 tweets

Derek Brown

@ideasimprove

Dec 6, 2019

We had some egg nog fun today and learned a lot. First, we assembled the ingredients and tools.

1 btl. 750ml Rye Whiskey
1 btl. 750ml Jamaican Rum
2 lbs confectioners sugar
3 qts whole milk
1 qt heavy cream
1 tsp table salt
24 eggs (cont.)