The Spirit World

For those of us in the US, the quadrennial political season is drawing blessedly to a close. I suspect it is not outside the bounds of reason to think that some folks out there may be planning election night returns-watching parties. And while it is a completely valid option to plan a drinks menu around blue curacao and grenadine, here are some other options one may consider.

(Apologies in advance for inconsistencies in notation–these are taken most from the Savoy book, Barflies and Cocktails, and Harry Johnson’s Bartender’s Manual.)
For those to the right of the aisle:Alaska Cocktail
1/3 yellow Chartreuse

1/3 gin

(Gotcha) Journalist Cocktail

1 dash Angustura

2 dashes curacao

2 dashes lemon juice
1/6 dry vermouth

1/6 sweet vermouth

1/3 gin

Johnnie Mack Cocktail

3 dashes absinthe

1/3 orange curacao

2/3 sloe gin

For those cheering for the blue team:

Liberal Cocktail

1 1/2 oz rye

1/2 oz sweet vermouth

1/4 oz Amer Picon (or Torani Amer, or Amaro CioCiaro, or any amaro really)

dash orange bitters

Reform Cocktail

1/3 dry vermouth

2/3 sherry

dash orange bitters

For the people focused on the issues:

Income Tax Cocktail

1/4 dry vermouth

1/4 sweet vermouth

1/2 gin

Juice of 1/4 orange

dash angostura bitters

Reaching across the aisle:

American Beauty Cocktail

1/4 orange juice

1/4 grenadine

1/4 dry vermouth

1/4 brandy

dash creme de menthe

President Cocktail

1/3 orange juice

2/3 white rum

2 dashes grenadine

And finally, for when it’s all over and time to slam some absinthe (to numb the pain, celebrate, or just cleanse the brainpan of all this crap):

Victory Cocktail (modified per this)

1/2 oz grenadine

1 1/2 oz absinthe

fill glass with soda, go crazy