Bris Mila and Pidyon Haben

25. The bracha “אשר קידש וכו'” said after a bris mila requires a kos. Some Rishonim hold the kos is essential, i.e., the bracha cannot be said without it (מרדכי יומא סי' תשכ''ז בשם הר''י בר''ש ). However, most Rishonim hold the kos is not essential, and that is the psak in practice (שו''ע או''ח סי' תרכ''ב ס''ג, יו''ד סי' רס''ה ס''ד ).

26. Pidyon Haben. The Geonim instituted a minhag that the Kohen says Borei Pri HaGafen on a cup of wine after the pidyon. There is no nusach other than the bracha of Borei Prei HaGafen, so if one does not have wine, he does not make the bracha (רמ''א יו''ד סי' ש''ה ס''י ).