These Strong Cocktails Will Help You Forget Politics

The election is near and the chatter is non – stop.  Need a break? Try one of these strong cocktails and unwind.

Local and national politics seem to be sucking up all the energy in the room. Unity seems to be a bit short and everyone is on edge. What the people need is a little break and maybe a drink and these strong cocktails will help forget politics and perhaps aid in making a few friends, or at least common ground with the bartender!

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Long Island Iced Tea

This drink has been the introduction of hangovers to many a college student. Slow and go is perfect for the Long Island Iced Tea. There are competing thoughts on the invention of the drink, but what is clear – it was invented in Long Island. Flavor rich, this drink is best served with a snack.

Ingredients

• ½ fluid ounce vodka
• ½ fluid ounce rum
• ½ fluid ounce gin
• ½ fluid ounce tequila
• ½ fluid ounce triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
• 1 fluid ounce sweet and sour mix
• 1 fluid ounce cola, or to taste
• 1 lemon slice

Create

1. Fill cocktail shaker with ice
2. Add vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and sour mix over ice
3. Cover and shake.
4. Pour cocktail into a tall glass
5. Top with splash of cola or tea for color
6. Garnish with a lemon slice

Manhattan

A classic drink with a nod to the days of back room political deals, the Manhattan is a classic – the brown water version of the martini. The legend of this drink is it was born in an election. Said to be developed at the Manhattan Club by Ian Marshall for a dinner hosted for presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The host, Winston Churchhill’s mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, the former American Jennie Jerome.

Ingredients

• 2 fluid ounces rye whiskey
• ½ fluid ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 maraschino cherry

Create

1. Combine whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass
2. Add ice and stir until chilled
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass
4. garnish with a maraschino cherry

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La Louisiane

Another gift from New Orleans, the best drinking city in the US. It was a house cocktail of the late restaurant La Louisiane. The eatery was famous for their bouillabaisse, strong drinks and sad demise.  But this cocktail is a toast to good times.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1/2 ounce Benedictine
• 3 dashes absinthe
• 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• 1 maraschino cherry

Create

1. Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, absinthe and Peychaud’s bitters into a mixing glass with ice
2. Stir until well-chilled
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass
4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry

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The Chicago Cocktail

The history of this cocktail is unknown with early versions showing up in London, Chicago and the South of France. What is clear, Chicago has a long history with politics, so what not imbibe in a drink to make you leave it behind.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz brandy
• 1 dash of Grand Marnier
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• Splash of sparkling bubbles

Create

1. Combine all ingredients in pitcher
2. Add ice and stir well
3. Strain into cocktail glass rimmed with superfine sugar
4. Top up with sparkling wine

May you muddle through through the rest of the election season with the cocktails.