This election season has been stressful for all Americans. Between sitting through incoherent debates and having those inevitable arguments with family members, it’s safe to say that for most of us, election night can’t come soon enough.
While most of us will spend the night of Nov. 3 watching the action from the comfort of our couches, there are others who have been part of the action during this election season — organizing, reporting, and writing about the current state of politics in our country. To those, we raise a toast — but not before asking what they’ll be drinking when the polls close.
From classic lagers to Champagne, here’s what political bloggers and writers, activists, and politically driven drinks pros will be pouring on election night.
The Best Election Night Drinks Recommended by Political Pros:
- Prosecco with grapefruit and a splash of St. Germain
- Margaritas
- Champagne
- Chardonnay
- Miller High Life
- Sam Adams Boston Lager
- SingleCut Pilsner
- Wild Turkey
- MoCo Hard Seltzer
- Republic Restorative’s Rodham Rye
- Borough Bourbon
- Purpose Rye Boulevardier
Keep reading for details about all of the recommended bottles!
“An occasion that could result in the FIRST Black woman vice president requires the most celebratory of drinks. I will be sipping Prosecco with grapefruit and a splash of St. Germain — cheers to history being made on Nov. 3.” —Dr. Wendy Osefo, political commentator, professor at Johns Hopkins University, and contributor, The Hill
“On Nov. 3, I will most likely be drinking Margaritas, because any day is a good day for some Margs, and no matter what the election results are, we will all be waking up with a headache.” —Gerard Arnum, managing transcript editor, Federal Network, Inc.
“I want to pretend I’ll go for my favorite drink: An Amaretto Sour. But I already know that, given how chaotic this election has been, that night won’t lend itself to crafting anything that takes longer than two seconds to make. For that reason, I know I’ll be drinking my go-to: Miller High Life. Somehow, the canned ‘Champagne of Beers’ seems fitting in an election full of bluster and unnecessary inflation.” —Lindsey Ellefson, journalist, CNN, The Wrap, Mediaite, etc.
“Hopefully Champagne, hopefully in copious quantities. Of course, things might go south, in which case, it’ll probably be vodka, judging by the recent past.” —Batya Ungar-Sargon, opinion editor, The Forward
“Chardonnay! Always.” —Samy Nemir-Olivares, district leader in Brooklyn’s AD53, Latinx and queer community organizer
“Champagne or battery acid, depending on the outcome.” —Josh Rogin, columnist, Global Opinions Section, The Washington Post
“I’m from Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution, so I’ll be drinking my hometown beer, Sam Adams Boston Lager. Depending on how the night goes, I’ll drink somewhere between two and 50 of them.” —Sam Graham Felsen, novelist and former chief blogger on Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign
“The notion of drinking on election night is both a dream and laughable. Before the 2018 midterms, I picked up a 6-pack of Two Roads and didn’t crack the first one until 2:30 a.m the next day. So, I won’t be drinking while the returns come and I’m working … but when I do call it a night at some point, guessing around 4 a.m., I will make myself a beer and shot combo, most likely with a SingleCut pilsner and some Wild Turkey. Three or four of those should be enough to get me to bed at 6 a.m. or so. Of course, then it’ll be back to work at 8 a.m. The next night, though, that’ll be a bottle of some fancy cask-strength whiskey to note the past four years of work.” —David Covucci, senior politics and tech editor, The Daily Dot
“I don’t know about you, but I am ready for change and something different from what we’ve had to experience these last four years. As someone who tends to gravitate toward hop-forward beers, I’m going to reach for something different on election night. Whether I am celebrating Joe Biden and other Democrats up and down the ballot crushing out a win, or needing to assuage my feelings, MoCo Hard Seltzer is going to be necessary. And, obviously, I will also be drinking some whiskey, no matter the outcome. My favorites are Republic Restoratives’ Rodham Rye and Borough Bourbon.” —Julie Verratti, founder, Denizen Brewing, former Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Maryland
“I’ll be having a Purpose Rye Boulevardier. I think the Boulevardier is the perfect cocktail: Bitter and sweet, so whatever direction the night goes, you’re covered.” —Pia Carusone, owner, Republic Restoratives Distillery, former chief of staff, Rep. Gabby Giffords, and assistant secretary for public affairs, Department of Homeland Security for the Obama Administration
