CAMPAIGN COCKTAILS
Cool Drinks for Election Night

As the election heats up and candidates work the campaign trail to pull in swing votes, the Distilled Spirits Council has put together a list of top cocktails you can expect to see in hotspots around the country that will play host to everyone, from sophisticated drinkers to "Joe Sixpacks."

"Political campaigns have always been a source of inspiration for innovative cocktails," says Sam Lek, Head Bartender for Town & Country Lounge, a Washington, DC landmark formerly known in the 1930s, 40s and early 50s as the Men's Bar because of its reputation as a place where powerful men could relax with a good cocktail.

Democrats and Republicans alike have been known to wheel and deal over a cocktail, but election years, in particular, seem to breathe new life into the political mixology scene.

"Even classic cocktails such as the Ward Eight or Manhattan have historical ties to campaigns," says drink historian David Wondrich. "The Ward Eight was invented for a victory party held in honor of Martin "the Mahatma" Lomasney, the machine boss of Boston's West End and the Manhattan was inaugurated at the Manhattan Club, a haven for wealthy New York Democrats.”

Check out the the newest creations inspired the political scene as well as some election night classics:

P.C. (Politically Correct) Martini
The Willard Inter-Continental
Washington, DC

1 ounce vodka
.5 ounce dry vermouth
Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass

Boston Sidecar
The Willard Inter-Continental
Washington, DC

0.5 oz Brandy
1 oz Rum
Splash Triple Sec
Splash Lime juice
Fill rocks glass with ingredients, stir and garnish with a lemon.

Compassionate Conservative
Rise Bar, Ritz Carlton
New York, New York

1.5 ounces orange-flavored vodka
Passion Fruit Puree
Splash of champagne
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Red, White & Blue Martini
Town & Country Lounge, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC

Blend:
4 oz. ice
1 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
3 tbsp. Coco Lopez coconut milk
1 oz. Half and Half

Pour into Martini glass. Pour ½ Tbsp. almond flavored liqueur so that it sinks to the bottom. Lightly pour ½ Tbsp. Blue Curacao along rim of glass, so that it floats on top to create red, white, and blue layers.

Historical Campaign Cocktails

Ward Eight
1.5 ounces Rye Whiskey
¾ ounce lemon juice
¾ ounce fresh squeezed orange juice
scant tsp grenadine
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Manhattan
1ounce rye whiskey
.5 ounce red vermouth
2 dashes of Orange Bitters
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and twist a strip of thin-cut lemon peel over the top.

More about election night partying around the Web:

Election night drinks

Homemade Election Night Invites

A New Yorker’s Election Night Party Guide

 

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