Raise Your Mug for a Vintage Holiday Toast

We’ll take a cup o’kindness yet…for auld lang syne. It’s that time of year when we celebrate the season and ring in the next one. So what kind of vintage cup or mug do YOU raise? Let’s explore the wonderful world of handled drink cups and what goes in them. From sweet winking Santa mugs perfect for serving hot cocoa to the non-imbibing crowd, to frothy nutmeg dusted eggnog, hot Irish coffee and even pa-rum-pum-pum hot buttered rum, there’s a cup or mug for every drink….and a drink for every type of cup.

Let’s start with the basics: the difference between a cup and a mug. Cups are small and round with a handle; mugs are deep and straight sided with a handle. Cups typically have saucers; mugs do not. Beyond that, they are both meant to hold hot drinks, from proper tea and coffee to cider, hot cocoa, and more.

But wait…there’s more to it than that. Here’s a quick rundown of the history of holiday warm beverages, and the cups and mugs that hold them.

Mead
Arguably the world’s oldest alcoholic drink, fermented honey wine can be served warm or cold. But you’ll probably find a modern tankard or goblet is a little easier to drink from than the traditional ram’s horn used by the Vikings to hold this legendary beverage.

Eggnog
Monks in the 13th century mixed some egg and milk in their warm ale and thus was born a drink that has become a holiday tradition. Eggnog is mostly served cold these days – with or without some brandy, or rum and cognac. We still prefer the moose cup for serving up nog as a kitschy nod to one of our all-time favorite Christmas movies.

Irish Coffee
Hot coffee sweetened with brown and white sugar, fortified with Irish whiskey and topped with a dollop of whipped cream makes for a decadent holiday drink. Traditionally served in clear glass mugs with handles and a short pedestal base, these instantly recognizable mugs range from 8-12 ounces in size. And in fact, the same style mug is often used for these favorite hot drinks, as well:

1. Hot Buttered Rum
The “OG” forerunner to Hogwarts’ butter beer this drink features a rum batter mixed with hot liquid and served in a clear glass mug. More modern recipes that have found a way to incorporate the butter into this drink that is arguably better than the original concoction.

2. Hot Toddy
Long celebrated as a drink that’s “good for what ails you”, this classic hot drink has a bit of lemon, tea, cinnamon and whiskey (for medicinal purposes, of course) to warm you up, soothe a stuffy head and help you rest. And it tastes better than the thick cherry flavored nighttime liquid from the pharmacy.

3. Wassail
A hot drink made from beer or cider, along with spices, sugar, and baked apples; wassail (and wassailing) aren’t common in the U.S., but you may find this drink to be unexpected and charming for your guests.

4. Mulled Wine
Another traditional hot beverage made with a fruity red wine, plus sugar and spices…and possibly some brandy if you’re so inclined. It’s Clarence-approved.

Tom & Jerry 

Not just mugs…but a matching punch bowl to boot. A cousin to eggnog, this late 19th century concoction was popular enough to create sets of mugs and bowls with “Tom & Jerry” inscribed on the sides. You’ll be hard-pressed to wander through any decent antique store without seeing at least one 1940s milk glass Tom & Jerry set in a booth.

Moscow Mule
Created in 1941 by famed bartender Jerry Thomas (who is also rumored to have had a hand in creating the aforementioned Tom & Jerry drink craze), this is our only “must serve chilled” drink on the list. But we included it because it’s always served in a copper mug with handle; the metal keeps the drink chilled. 

So there you have it, a quick list of almost every type of cup and mug needed to hold a specific holiday drink this season. Check out your top shelves or hit your favorite vintage shops to stock up on a few of these cups and mugs so you’ll be ready to toast the holidays with a cup of kindness and cheer tidings of the season.

Need some guidance to create some of these concoctions?

Of course you can ask Siri, or just google to find a plethora of recipes, both traditional and updated with new twists. Or order yourself a copy of Mr. Thomas’ 1882 bartender’s guide and add it to your bar cart to impress your holiday guests this year.