We had a small gathering of folks over for New Year's Eve last night, and as I do on such occasions, I created a bar menu for those who wanted a mixed drink but would like to try something different than the usual. Since we're finally come up on the primary season, what better inspiration for the menu but that of the caucus? This was J's suggestion, based on trying to fit the names of the candidates to the drinks I had come up with. Some of them are inspired, and I think I made at least one of each over the course of the evening. The surprise hit of the night was the John McCain, which was actually a "Corleone" from the Spec's magazine my father-in-law had saved for me and put in my stocking this Christmas.

Here's the text of the menu:

Happy New Year!

Like the Iowa Caucus, your selection only indicates your taste at the moment, and does not require your allegiance in the general election.
(Ballot placement was done by random draw.)

Hillary Clinton
(sugar cube soaked in bitters, 1 part cognac, 7 parts champagne)

Barack Obama
(4 parts champagne, 1 part applejack, dash of grenadine)

John Edwards
(4 parts applejack, 2 parts lime juice, 1 part grenadine)

Tom Biden or Chris Dodd
(2 parts rye, 1 part red Dubonnet, dash of Gran Gala, dash of Peychaud bitters)

John McCain
(muddled white grapes, 3 parts gin, 1 part grappa, 1 part lemon juice, 1 part simple syrup, 2 dashes of orange bitters, garnished with grape)

Rudy Guiliani
(7 parts rye, 1 part sweet vermouth, garnished with black cherry)

Mike Huckabee
(scoop of lemon sorbet, 1 part lemon juice, 1 part grenadine, soda)

Mitt Romney
(7 parts ginger ale, 1 part grenadine, garnished with black cherry)

What? You wanted a Dennis Kucinich or a Fred Thompson? None of the above? Let me know your choice and it might also be on the ballot!

Wine, beer, and soda available for those who are still undecided.

Yes, I was repeatedly informed that it's Joe Biden, not Tom. Guess that tells you something about his chances, doesn't it?