Toast the End of America's Longest Election With an El Presidente Cocktail

Thrillist

No matter which candidate you voted for, it's safe to say we all agree on one thing: It's been a long, long election season, and most of us are ready for it to be over. And while praying for a meteorite to come and swiftly destroy us all might make you feel better, we'd like to propose an alternative coping mechanism -- the El Presidente. Red, white, bloozy ("blue" and "boozy," get it?), and easy to make, it'll soothe your frayed nerves as you watch the results roll in on tonight's news. Or it'll give you the liquid courage to combat the haters in senselessly heated political debates on your Facebook feed one last time. Let that rage out and watch the video to see how it's done. 

El Presidente

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1½ ounces rich white rum
  • 1 splash sweet vermouth
  • 1 ounce Blue Curaçao
  • ½ bar spoon homemade grenadine
  • 1 thinly cut orange peel
  • Maraschino cherry, to garnish (optional) 
Homemade Grenadine Ingredients:
  • 1 cup pomegranate juice, no sugar added
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2-3 drops orange-flower water
DIRECTIONS:
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the pomegranate juice for approximately 5 minutes (or until steam begins to rise from the surface and a few bubbles appear around the perimeter of the pan). Make sure it doesn't boil, and remove it from heat.  
  • Add the sugar and stir for approximately 5 minutes or until all the sugar has dissolved. The liquid should no longer be cloudy. 
  • Add the lemon juice and orange-flower water. Stir well, and let the syrup cool for approximately 40 minutes or until it reaches room temperature. Transfer to a Mason jar or sealable container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
  • Dip the rim of the cocktail glass into simple syrup and roll it on a plate of sugar to coat. Set aside. 
  • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the sweet vermouth, rum, and Blue Curaçao. Cover and shake vigorously. 
  • First, pour the grenadine into the bottom of the sugar-rimmed glass, and stack 1 medium-sized ice cube on top. Next, train the contents of the cocktail shaker to create the layering effect between the red and blue. 
  • Twist a thin orange peel over the top to release the fruit's oil, and drop it into the drink or discard it entirely. If desired, garnish with a cherry or American flag, and serve. 

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