What Does a Maverick Taste Like? Plus: Cocktails for Change
More important than the Democratic Party and the Republican Party? The cocktail party, says the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a national trade association representing distilled spirits brands.
To help you prepare, the organization has released recipes for new election-themed cocktails.
Jonathan Pogash, a New York-based mixologist, created the cocktails below, inspired by this year’s political dynamics.
The Maverick
1 oz. bourbon
3/4 oz. simple syrup
3 lemon wedges
1/2 of a ripe peach
1 oz. champagne
Directions: Muddle the peach and lemon in the simple syrup. Then add the rye and ice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Top off with champagne and garnish with a peach slice.
Cocktail for a Change
1 oz. gin
1/4 oz. biscotti liqueur
1/4 oz. dry vermouth
2 dashes orange bitters
Directions: Stir ingredients in a mixing glass with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange peel.
Red State Roundup
1 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
3/4 oz. homemade grenadine (directions below)
1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 egg white
Club soda
Directions: First, shake the egg white to emulsify. Then add remaining ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and lemon wheel.
To make home-made grenadine, take 1 cup of store-bought pomegranate juice, and 1 cup of super-fine sugar, and shake until all the sugar is dissolved.
Blue State Buildup
1 oz. light rum
1 tsp. Blue Curacao
1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 dash aromatic bitters
Directions: Stir ingredients in a mixing glass with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with three floating blueberries.