Tomorrow (6th November 2012) is a big day in the USA, it is the day the American people will cast their vote for either Democrat President Obama or Republican Mitt Romney. I certainly know who i’d be voting for but I won’t say it here as it’s pretty irrelevant since I am not a citizen and therefore can’t vote anyway!
I thought i’d put a few election inspired drinks up though…you know how I love a good theme. 
In the BLUE corner…
There are very few ‘blue’ drinks I approve of, and no ‘Classic’ concoctions with a bright blue hue. I had first planned to put up a drink with blueberries in but realize that using muddle blueberries creates more of a purple color. Sadly the only really blue drinks are ones that use a fake ingredient like ‘blueberry syrup’ or food coloring. The drink I have chosen is the only drink I really like that has a bright blue color, and Paul Martins American Bistro (PMAB) is the only place i’ve seen a Lemon Drop made this way.
The PMAB Lemon Drop
- 2oz Vodka (or Gin)
- 3/4oz Lemon Juice
- 3/4oz Simple Syrup
- Splash of Blue Curacao
Garnish: Lemon Wheel and Sugar rim
I know it sounds terrible to the real drink connoisseurs but I have to say it’s really tasty! Great if you have a sweet tooth (the sugar rim certainly does it for me!) and the pop of color makes it stand out. If you ever find yourself at a Paul Martins and want a sweet refreshing vodka drink, you should certainly give this one a go.
In the RED Corner…
There are plenty of Red options to choose from, but seeing as the drink name has ‘America’ in the title, this one seems appropriate!
Americano
- 1oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1oz Campari
- 40z Soda
Garnish: Orange Peel/Slice
This drink dates back to the 1900s when it was first served in creator Gaspare Campari‘s bar, Caffè Campari, in 1860. It used to have a different name, (‘Milano-Torino’) but the drink creator supposedly changed it when it proved so popular with the American tourists. It is actually a very interesting mix of flavors. Using the beverage bitters (Campari) you get a gorgeous red color and the drink itself is a bitter sweet mix with a taste that makes you want to drink more.
Who will live in the White House?
On a recent trip to Washington DC we met and befriended legendary barman, writer, illustrator and fountain of knowledge; Derek Brown. The drink below was created by Derek (AKA The Presidents Mixologist) and is particularly fitting for my election theme because it has been served AT the White House itself. Derek probably thinks ‘The Presidents Mixologist’ is a bit of a pretentious title, and if you met him you’d know he would never want someone pushing for it but frankly that is what he is! He has been chosen to create drinks for the White House on more than one occasion, has interacted with President Obama personally and is pretty much the ‘King of Cocktails’ in Americas Capital City. To me he is certainly the Master when it comes to mixed drinks and also just an incredibly lovely man.
When thinking of drink recipes suitable for this Election week he was the first person I wanted to ask for input. He wouldn’t reveal what the President drinks, pointing out that “pouring and telling in DC is a political no-no!” He was, however, kind enough to give me the recipe for one of the drinks he prepared for the White House holiday parties back in 2009.
Robert Frost Cocktail
- 3/4 oz. Bourbon
- 3/4 oz. Dry Amontillado Sherry
- 3/4 oz. White Port
- 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
- 1 dash Orange Bitters
Combine ingredients with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Thinly sliced orange and lemon wheel.
Derek told me that ‘The Robert Frost Cocktail’ is based off the ‘Whispers’ or the ‘Frost Cocktail’. He says he also chose the name because Robert Frost is one of America’s top poets and a poet laureate who embraced progress while recognizing what made America great. Frost actually read at the inauguration of John F, Kennedy too. Derek told me; “Frost just seemed like the perfect inspiration to honor America’s new direction.”
This drink is DELICIOUS! I tried it for the first time today and think it’s just beautiful. Perfect for all kinds of drinker. The Port, Sherry and Bourbon make an incredibly delicious mix. It is balanced with both a strength and sweetness to it. If you can get the ingredients together, it’s certainly worth a shot making it at home.
So there you have it, 3 somewhat random drinks to sip on this week as you watch the polls go one way or the other.
!!!!DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON TUESDAY!!!!
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