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Mr. Holland's Opus Drinking Game + Cocktail

He taught a generation — let him teach you to drink.

The Rules

  • Sip — Glenn Holland plays piano or conducts while clearly thinking about his own symphony
  • Sip — Holland argues with his wife Iris about sacrificing family time for music
  • Sip — A struggling student finally has a breakthrough moment under Holland's guidance
  • Sip — Principal Jacobs challenges Holland's unconventional teaching methods
  • Sip — Holland's deaf son Cole is shown watching his father perform from a distance
  • Drink Twice — Holland learns his music program is being cut due to budget decisions
  • Drink Twice — A former student returns years later to credit Holland for changing their life
  • Drink Twice — Holland plays rock and roll in class to reach disengaged students
  • Shot — Cole confronts Holland about feeling invisible in his father's music-obsessed life
  • Shot — Holland finally hears Cole communicate through sign language in an emotional moment
  • Chug — The auditorium surprise finale where former students perform Holland's completed symphony

Themed Cocktail

The Opus Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 0.25 oz demerara syrup
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • 1 tsp water

Instructions:

  1. 1Combine demerara syrup, both bitters, and water in an old fashioned glass.
  2. 2Stir briefly to combine.
  3. 3Add bourbon and a large ice cube.
  4. 4Stir for 20 seconds to chill and dilute.
  5. 5Express an orange peel over the glass and place on the rim.

Fun Facts

  • Directed by Stephen Herek.(Source)
  • Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Jay Thomas.(Source)
  • Made $106M worldwide on a $31M budget.(Source)
  • Rated 7.0/10 on TMDB (443 votes).(Source)
  • Tagline: "Of all the lives he changed, the one that changed the most was his own."(Source)

Disclaimer: Drink responsibly. This is intended for adults of legal drinking age. Never drink and drive. Always know your limits and drink in moderation.