CAMPAIGN
COCKTAILS - Cool Drinks for Election Night
"The election is almost here, and OMG does the USA need a drink!"
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 cocktail 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 creations inspired by 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
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: