This time of year celebrates lingering conversations and belly laughs, cozying up by the fireplace with friends new and old, and the communal experience of sharing a meal. But the brightest spot of the holiday season is the opportunity to help those who need it most.
Teremana Tequila is serving holiday cheer by the bottle while giving back to the hospitality community that shines so brilliantly, now and year-round. Mana for a Cause, Teremana’s charitable program, has pledged to donate $250,000 to Another Round Another Rally, a nonprofit that provides funding, educational resources, and emergency aid to members of the bar and restaurant industry.
Earlier this year, bartenders had the opportunity to participate in Mana for a Cause by crafting a bespoke cocktail made with Teremana Tequila and adding it to their menus, helping to spread the word about the initiative. One participant, bartender Ezana “EZ” Million, was selected to share the story behind his drink.
The skilled and down-to-earth mixologist works behind the bar at a West Indian-inspired spot on the Lower East Side in New York City. A veteran of the service industry, Million was working in small restaurants 13 years ago before moving to New York to pursue music. Between Irish pubs and high-volume cocktail bars, Million honed his flavors as a barback, squeezing his own custom juices and lemonades, earning him the moniker “The Lemonade Man.” At his current bar, Million started slinging cocktails and, after just four months, went on to become bar manager.
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