It’s election day this Saturday, October 14, and many Kiwis will be sharing a drink or two with their friends and family as the results roll in during the evening.
What better way for the on-premise to make the most of this than by serving party-themed cocktails?
To provide a fun way for patrons to show their loyalty, or just have a laugh, Justin McKenzie from Hawthorn Lounge in Wellington shares some major party cocktail inspo.
National
Hawthorn Martini
Nothing fits the National voter demographic like a martini…
50ml Lighthouse Hawthorn Edition Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
3 drops Orange Bitters
1 slice of fresh lemon peel
In a chilled mixing glass, combine the liquid ingredients and stir until volume has almost doubled.
Strain into your serving glass and finish with fresh lemon peel.
Labour
Coffee Negroni
A cocktail that’s all-encompassing with a touch of orange.
20ml Roots Dry Gin
20ml Campari
10ml Sweet Vermouth
10ml Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
1 thin wedge fresh orange
Fill a rocks glass with ice.
Add liquid ingredients and stir until volume increases by a third.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh orange.
New Zealand First
Kiwi Old Fashioned
One for the ages!
50ml Thomson Two Tone Whisky
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon demerara sugar
3 drops Angostura Bitters
In a rocks glass, combine the sugar, bitters and fresh water.
Stir to make a syrup in the glass.
Top the glass with ice and stir.
Add half the whisky, stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Add remaining whisky and continue stirring until flavour is balanced and enjoyable (you’ll need to taste).
Te Pāti Māori
Perfect Manhattan
A drink with balanced pairing.
15ml Thomson Two Tone Whisky
15ml American Whisky
20ml Sweet Vermouth
10ml Dry Vermouth
Cherry
In a chilled mixing glass combine the liquid ingredients and stir until volume has almost doubled.
Strain into your serving glass and finish with a cherry.
Greens
Fresh-as Daiquiri
A luscious drink with fresh ingredients.
45ml Lunatic and Lover Fundamental Rum
10ml fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon refined sugar
Three-quarter fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add ingredients.
Seal and shake vigorously until the shaker is ice cold.
Strain into a chilled serving glass and enjoy.
Act
Lighthouse Collins
For a party that likes to ‘push the lighthouse’ on some issues.
40ml Lighthouse Gin
20ml Fresh lemon juice
10ml Sugar syrup
110ml Sparkling water
1 wedge of fresh lemon
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Add the gin, lemon juice and sugar.
Stir to combine and top with sparkling water.
Finish with a fresh wedge of lemon.
About Justin McKenzie
Justin is the founder of Hawthorn Lounge, which he opened on Wellington’s Tory Street 18 years ago. It’s since become an integral and popular part of the Wellington hospitality scene, winning industry awards every year since establishment.
*The above cocktail suggestions are a bit of fun and are not representative of Justin’s political views.
Photo credits: Skylar Jackson-Simmons.
How to catch up with The Shout NZ…
Online, updated daily with its own unique content and breaking news.
Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
We are also on Facebook and Instagram!
