Inaugural Cocktails

by Kat Kinsman, Posted Jan 20th 2009 @ 11:00PM

What's that sound? Corks a-popping from shore to shore? No doubt bubbly was the beverage du jour for many folks, but mixologists both pro and amateur took it upon themselves to create signature beverages for the election and inauguration of our 44th President. When tasked with that for a friend's bash, I put some thought into the national origins of each element, so that they might match those of our new Commander-In-Chief. With a bit of tinkering, a new and semi-perfect union was formed -- The Barry O.

The Barry-O

Equal parts cocoa powder and sugar
1 1/2 oz Amarula
1 oz bourbon
1/4 oz Kona coffee liqueur (I like Trader Vic's)

Dampen the edge of a cocktail glass, and roll in a blend of equal parts sugar and cocoa powder.

Shake Amarula, bourbon and coffee liqueur with ice to blend and strain into the prepared glass.

Note: Amarula is an African cream liqueur made from the fruit of the Marula tree. Bourbon is a distinctively American whiskey, named for, and largely produced in Kentucky's Bourbon County. Coffee designated as Kona can only come from the Kona District of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Africa, America & Hawaii - all with a li'l dash of chocolate.

So - whatcha sip to celebrate (or drown your sorrows) this historic night? Share it in the comments.

Filed Under: Guilty Pleasures, Drink Recipes, Celebrities
Tags: america, barack obama, BarackObama, cocktail recipes, CocktailRecipes, cocktails, guilty pleasures, inauguration, inauguration day, InaugurationDay, kat kinsman, KatKinsman, liqueurs, presidential inauguration, PresidentialInauguration, spirits, trail mix, TrailMix, winter