Who is gripped with anxiety about the 2024 presidential election results? Who would like to wrap that clenched grip around a delicious cocktail during their election night party while watching the returns come in? Put your hands down… I know there are millions of you.
I’ve noticed heavy traffic to my last Election Night Cocktail Round Up post and while shockingly, some of the players are the same from four years ago, someone is missing. Kamala Harris needs her own honorary cocktail, so I’ve created one just for her.
Each of the ingredients in this Kamala Harris cocktail was added for a specific reason in an attempt to capture the nuances of this unique presidential candidate.
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
You can use any bourbon or whiskey to make this recipe but I chose Uncle Nearest because of its history and founder. Each batch is curated by 5th generation Nearest Green descendant and Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler, who was named Master Blender of the Year by Whisky Magazine for two consecutive years. The CEO of Uncle Nearest is Fawn Weaver who has been described as the type of woman who does not back down from a challenge or destined opportunity. (Sound familiar?) These two strong and talented black women have forged their way in a male dominated world to build a successful whiskey brand.
Honey Cardamom Syrup
The honey and cardamom syrup offers a nod to Kamala Harris’ South Asian heritage. Cardamom is a staple in South Asian cuisine and has a complex, unique flavor profile that is a little floral, peppery, and aromatic. Combined with honey, the honey cardamom syrup softens the whiskey with a little sweetness while adding layered flavor.
Lemon Juice
Most cocktails need a little acid. Fresh lemon is bright, and dare I say JOYful?! I also read that in India, lemons are ritually encircled around a person to repel negative energies. With the amount of anger and ugliness in this election season, we could all use a little circle of lemons around us.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Sadly, there has been more than a dash of bitterness in this election battle. But let’s stay positive and keep it to a minimum with just a dash in the Kamala cocktail. With notes of orange, clove, and cardamom, the Angostura bitters is a match with the honey cardamom syrup and adds further complexity to the Kamalocktail recipe.
Star Anise
In fall cocktails, star anise is one of my favorite garnishes. The shape and color are gorgeous offering visual appeal but the real gift is the spicy aroma as you lean towards the glass imparting an opening note. A rising star, let’s see if Kamala can float her way to the top.
Highball Glass and Big Rock
Kamala is battling to be the first woman president. While I considered a shaken cocktail served in a coupe glass, I landed on the more masculine vibe of this high ball glass. As for the big ice cube, this is a monumental election that could result in our first woman president. A big, substantial chunk of ice seemed right. And, I like large ice cubes that melt slowly, altering the sipping experience over time.
(Note: for all the cocktail enthusiasts and ice cube purists, I know that my ice cube is cloudy. I look forward to the day that I have the patience to make clear ice or maybe I’ll splurge and try one of these clear ice cube makers.)
If you are gathering with friends or family for an election night party, make some Campaign Trail Mix for nibbles. Any favorite trail mix recipe will do with some red, white, and blue M&M’S mixed. Or, pick out the red or the blue if you want to make a statement. For main dishes, Forbes is suggesting sticking with comfort food classics.
For those who aren’t interested in a Kamala Harris cocktail, check out these other recipes: El Presidente, I Can’t Pear it Anymore, The Americano, or the Trump Cocktail.
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Kamalocktail: A Kamala Harris Cocktail for Election Night
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
Each ingredient was carefully chosen to represent this unique presidential candidate. Make yourself a Kamalocktail (or 3) and watch the returns roll in.
Ingredients
2 oz whiskey
3/4 oz honey cardamom syrup (recipe below)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Dash of Angostura aromatic bitters
Star Anise (or orange peel) for garnish
Combine whiskey, honey cardamom syrup, lemon juice, and bitters with ice and stir for a minute. Pour over a large ice cube in a high ball glass and garnish with a star anise or a slice of orange.
For the honey cardamom syrup:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
4 cardamom pods, crushed
Combine all ingredient in a sauce pan and heat until it simmers. Stir until all ingredients are dissolved. Turn off heat and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to infuse flavor. Strain out the cardamom pods. Store syrup in a jar or other airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
You can easily double or quadruple the recipe to make additional cocktails for an election night gathering.