"Inauguration" news and stories

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.

In light of today's inauguration, it seemed appropriate to feature some presidential cookies in this space. Lucky for us, Zoe Lukas of the Whipped Bakeshop created some really striking and artistic cookies featuring a print of a watercolor she did of the man who is nearly President.

Thanks Zoe!

Source

Tomorrow one of the most historically significant Presidential Inaugurations will be upon us. Whether you're whooping it up or crying tears of sorrow into your glass, we've got ideas for what to drink at your party (or pity party).

If you're celebrating:

The obvious drink of choice is sparkling wine--American, of course. According to Iron Horse Vineyards, their sparkling wines have been served at the White House for five consecutive Presidential administrations, and Iron Horse hopes Obama will do likewise. Their Wedding Cuvee ($38) is a popular choice and widely available, or try the Russian Cuvee ($33), which is slightly richer and sweeter than the regular Brut.

Roederer Estate sparkling wines have also been featured in White House dinners over the years. The Brut NV ($22) is affordable and widely regarded by critics as one of the top sparkling wines in the U.S.

Korbel has been the official sparkling wine for the past six inaugurations, but apparently Obama won't do sponsorship agreements this year and Korbel has to angle for honors with all the other wineries. At home, try Korbel's Brut Rose ($12) or Extra Dry ($12), which, ironically, is a little sweeter.

With any of these sparkling wines, splash in a bit of pomegranate liqueur or blue carucao (but not at the same time!) for the red, white, and blue look.

Another all-American wine is Zinfandel, a big, bold, fruity wine also ideal for celebrating. Try one from Lodi or Paso Robles for even bigger-than-normal flavor (Seven Deadly Zins ($17) is a good example) or a classic from Sonoma like Seghesio ($36).

What to drink if you're not celebrating--after the jump.

Whether you voted for Obama or not, whether Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or etc., I don't think anyone denies this year's Inauguration Day is a historic event. And judging by the record crowds Washington, D.C. is expecting for Tuesday, everyone wants to get in on the celebration. President Bush had to declare a state of emergency to help cover the costs! Well, I'm declaring a state of beer-mergency (achem.) to figure out the perfect Inauguration Day beer. Let's see what we got...

Back in September, I wrote a post on Sixpoint Craft Ale's Hop Obama beer. At that time, I stated, "If Barack Obama wins the presidency, I'm guessing we might see [Hop Obama] for another four years."

Well, maybe those running the Brooklyn-based brewery should have heeded my advice: Sixpoint stopped making the beer after Election Day, and now patrons seeking to celebrate the big-O's big day have created a mini-madness to figure out who still stocks the brew. A few bars with serious foresight stashed their last remaining kegs for Election Day. And some, according to the NY Daily News, plan on charging a pretty penny for it.

Despite being Sixpoint's fastest-selling beer ever, it looks like this "Obama" is actually heading the way of George W. Bush: Don't expect it back anytime soon. With some savvy Google searching, New Yorkers can figure out where to go to get the last gulp of Hop Obama, but for the rest of us, don't dismay: We have options.

Whether mourning the loss of the current Presidential administration or counting the minutes until the new one takes over, all Americans are preparing to party (though not exactly like it's 1999) on January 20. You can take a look at the official document of the second Bush administration's legacy at the official site of The White House. Whether this heartens or disheartens you, once you've had enough, visit the First Lady's site.

First Ladies also leave legacies. Abigail Adams, Florence Harding and Hillary Clinton were known as powerfully insightful political partners to the President. Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosalynn Carter were forces to be reckoned with socially, as in their own social ways were Dolley Madison, Mamie Eisenhower and Jackie Kennedy. While Julia Grant was known as a lavish (to some, excessive) hostess, Lucy Hayes was Temperance. Did people who joked about Nancy Reagan's astrologer know about Mary Todd Lincoln's consorting with spiritualists? And did you know that Laura Bush has been amassing place settings?

Presidential China is not a new, frivolous development -- indeed, it is a time-honored tradition. As each administration takes residency, they impart their own style to the residence -- not that different, other than scale, from setting up housekeeping anywhere else. Just as we have presidential pets from horses and goats to scruffy dogs, so do we have china patterns, stemware, art, et cetera. Lest your social conscience be saluting, note: the Bush legacy china, along with other items, was purchased with funds from The White House Historical Association, The White House Endowment Trust, and The White House Historical Trust, each of which, as Mrs. Bush noted, are privately funded for the purpose acquiring objects for the White House.