Sunday, September 16, 2007; N05
So you want to support your presidential candidate. And, let's be honest, you wouldn't mind tossing back a few in the process. Perfect. You can do both at downtown Washington's Lotus Lounge, which is running a "Pick the POTUS at Lotus" promotion (POTUS, of course, stands for president of the United States). The contest lets patrons "vote" by ordering one of 17 drinks named after the candidates. [See the full drinks list below]
Lotus's bipartisan beverage selection includes the Milk Dodd (brandy, dark creme de cacao, half-and-half and nutmeg), with a milky appearance to represent Chris Dodd's hair; the Hillartini (a cosmopolitan), which Lotus declares to be "pink and feminine, yet strong and bold"; and the Raising Arizona (a straight martini) for self-proclaimed straight talker John McCain.
Teetotaler Mitt Romney gets the Romney (pineapple juice, cranberry juice and soda; vodka shot optional) and Barack Obama gets the Obama-rama (Grey Goose orange-flavored vodka, Malibu rum and orange, cranberry and pineapple juices), a sweet nod to his childhood home of Hawaii.
So far, no candidates have groused about their assigned cocktails, which Lotus event coordinator Bridget Ochs says were cooked up without favoritism. "It wasn't meant to express how we felt about any candidates," she says of the flavors and names.
And, lest nearby K Streeters get any funny ideas, Lotus (1420 K St. NW, 202-289-4222, http://www.lotusloungedc.com) says it's tracking results through an automated point-of-sale system. "I'm sure the bartenders would appreciate a really big tip, but it won't change the results," Ochs says.
Lotus will announce its winner just before the Iowa caucuses, which are Jan. 14. After that, the promotion will continue until the Nov. 4 general election, and Lotus might even throw in a few independents, Ochs says.
In the end, though, the Lotus POTUS might just come down to personal taste -- regarding what's in the cup, not on the ballot -- which means you'll be no closer to knowing who'll get into the White House. And you might have a hangover to boot. Then again, nobody ever said this campaigning thing was easy.
-- Christina Breda Antoniades
The 17 presidential candidate drinks at Lotus Lounge (with explanations from the bar):
Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.)Drink: The Joe Biden (Hendrick's martini).
Explanation: A traditional drink for a traditional lifetime politician.
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.)Drink: The Brownback Special (chocolate martini).
Explanation: The chocolate represents the "Brown" in Brownback.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.)Drink: The Hillartini (cosmopolitan).
Explanation: The drink is pink and feminine, yet strong and bold.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.)Drink: Milk Dodd (brandy, dark creme de cacao, half-and-half, nutmeg).
Explanation: This drink will appear white to represent Dodd's much-talked-about white hair.
John Edwards, former U.S. senator (D-N.C.)Drink: Johnny Rocket (Southern Comfort, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice).
Explanation: The Southern Comfort represents Edwards's Southern roots.
Rudy Giuliani, former New York mayor (R)Drink: The Giuliani (apple martini).
Explanation: Giuliani was the mayor of the Big Apple.
Mike Gravel, former U.S. senator (D-Alaska)Drink: The Gravel (Hennessey and Coke).
Explanation: Gravel is the dark-horse candidate, so this drink is very dark in color.
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor (R)Drink: I Heart Huckabee (bloody mary).
Explanation: Huckabee speaks about eating healthy, so this drink contains a nutritious mixer: tomato juice
U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)Drink: The Hunter (vodka on the rocks with tonic).
Explanation: A traditional drink for a traditional conservative candidate.
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)Drink: The Impeachment (peach- and orange-flavored Stoli with a splash of orange juice).
Explanation: Kucinich wants to impeach Vice President Cheney, so this drink has a peach taste.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)Drink: Raising Arizona (straight martini).
Explanation: A straight martini for a straight talker.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)Drink: The Obama-rama (Grey Goose orange-flavored vodka, Malibu rum and orange cranberry and pineapple juices).
Explanation: This drink includes Malibu rum and tropical fruit mixers because Obama lived in Hawaii.
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.)Drink: The Ron Paul (Texas Tea -- vodka, gin, rum, tequila, bourbon, triple sec, sweet and sour mix -- and Coke).
Explanation: Paul is from Texas.
Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.)Drink: The Bill-rita (cucumber margarita).
Explanation: Tequila and margaritas are a tradition of the Southwest, and Richardson is governor of New Mexico.
Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor (R)Drink: The Romney (pineapple juice, cranberry juice and soda; can add a shot of vodka if customer wants alcohol).
Explanation: Because Romney does not consume liquor, this is a nonalcoholic drink.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.)Drink: The Tanq-redo (Tanqueray and tonic).
Explanation: His name sounds like a popular gin.
Fred Thompson, former U.S. senator (R-Tenn.)Drink: Law & Order (Jack Daniels and Coke).
Explanation: Jack Daniels is a whiskey distilled in Thompson's state, Tennessee.
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