Clinton Kelly sends off 2020 with a 'pits party': 'See you never'

December 16, 2020 at 12:00 AM·3 min read

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TV personality, lifestyle consultant and author Clinton Kelly only plans to sugarcoat one thing to celebrate the new year: his drink. As for 2020, he gets real about how it went, “It was the pits!” So, in order to properly send off the year that has been terrible, he is planning a “pits party,” and sharing his advice on how to do the same. “Say au revoir, arrivederci, adios, sayonara to 2020,” Kelly instructs in many languages, and welcome 2021, a year that can’t possibly be worse than the last.

For his Old Fashioned cocktail, Clinton Kelly uses a glug of rye, ice, dark cherry and an orange peel that he gives a quick twist to get the oils out finish the drink.

The cocktail for the pits party had to include cherries, of course, so Kelly says, “out with the Old Fashioned,” as he puts together the delicious, strong and classic cocktail. He muddles a sugar cube, water and bitters in a rocks glass, saying, “take your time, you don’t have anywhere to be.” He stops just before it completely dissolves, as he likes the graininess of a little sugar left at the bottom because “it gives it great texture.” Then a glug of rye (or bourbon, though he finds it too sweet with the sugar), ice and an orange peel that he gives a quick twist to get the oils out finish the drink. “To 2020,” he toasts. “See you never.”

Add a personal touch to your pre-made party tray with Clinton Kelly's olive tapenade recipe.

For the food at his celebration, Kelly arranges a charcuterie platter with a “pit”-iful star: olive tapenade. Though he recommends just tasting as you go, rather than using a recipe, Kelly shows how he blitzes the green olives, garlic and capers in the food processor. He also adds anchovies, acknowledging that he probably lost some people with that. “Get over it,” he laughs, noting it’s optional but does add wonderful umami. Then lemon juice for acidity, salt, black pepper and a glug of olive oil go in before processing to a nice chunky texture. “You want to see it’s made of olives,” he says, as he sets it out with crackers for scooping.

Sum up your 2020 feelings with a Brad Pitt photo to complete your "pits party."

The final element of Kelly’s pits party is a game called “The Pitt” — that’s right, with two “t’s” at the end, because it’s about Brad Pitt. To make the game, you print out and glue onto index cards a variety of Brad Pitt photos from throughout his career. Kelly even when the extra mile and laminated his to make an entire deck. Then, create a second pile of category cards like “My 2020 mental state” or “My 2020 love life.” The Pitt cards get dealt out, then one person draws a category card, and the rest of the players pick the Pitt card in their hand that best fits the bill.

With the game, food and drink all ready to go, all that’s left for Kelly — and everyone else — is to await the end of this year and the start of the next. “All the best in 2021,” he wishes. “It’s going to be better! I promise. I hope!”

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