Campaign Cocktails

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“Political campaigns have always been a source of inspiration for innovative cocktails,” said Sam Lek, Head Bartender for Town & Country Lounge, a Washington, DC landmark formerly known in the 1930s, ‘40s and early 50s as the Men’s Bar because of its reputation as a place where powerful men could relax with a good cocktail.

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“Even classic cocktails such as the Ward Eight or Manhattan have historical ties to campaigns,” says drink historian David Wondrich. “The Ward Eight was invented for a victory party held in honor of Martin “the Mahatma” Lomasney, the machine boss of Boston’s West End and the Manhattan was inaugurated at the Manhattan Club, a haven for wealthy New York Democrats.”

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Washington DC's Willard Inter-Continental, Rise Bar of the Ritz Carlton and Town & Country Lounge of the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel all made their contributions.

Full DISCUS press release, with recipes, can be found here.

Cheers!