Barack-Tails

In the days leading to the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, the buzz is building about the inaugural balls. And what’s a party without a few cocktails?  Here’s a sampling of the special cocktails being served at the celebrations, along with their recipes.

Where will the A-list be heading next week?It looks like the Hawaii State Society's sold-out inaugural ball at the Mandarin Oriental hotel is one of the hottest tickets in town.This is the organization's first time hosting an inaugural ball, and it is doing it in style. To toast Obama, who was born in the state, some revelers will be lifting a glass filled with cocktails created specifically for the event.So if you can't score a ticket, you can put on a lei, grab a cocktail shaker and mix up your own.The visually stunning American Dream, created by mixologist Bridget Albert, features a garnish of mini stars cut out of white fondant and a cocktail pick strung with blueberries.While the cocktail's colors harken to the red-white-and-blue of the flag, its taste recalls another American symbol: cherry pie."Nothing is more American than cherry pie," said Albert, author of "Market Fresh Mixology."The recipe:1 ounce Pama Pomegrante Liqueur1 ounce black cherry rum1 ½ ounce Pom Wonderful pomegranate cherry juice½ oz fresh sourGarnish:White fondant mini starsBlueberriesCut the mini stars out. Using water, gently wet the back of each star and press into the inside of the cocktail glass. Let sit for five minutes.Fill mixing glass with all ingredients. Add ice to tin. Shake well and strain into star-studded cocktail glass. Garnish with blueberries on a pick.

Albert, who works as the master mixologist at Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois, also created the Air Force One cocktail, which also will be served at the Hawaii Society’s ball.“It is really simple to make. All you need is a glass and some ice,” said Albert, who wanted to create a drink that paired well with food and would be easy to make at home. It begins with Hpnotiq, which is a blend of triple-distilled vodka, tropical fruit juices and cognac.The recipe follows:2 ounce Hpnotiq1 ounce citrus vodkaJuice from a lemon wedgeLemon lime sodaFill tall glass with all ingredients and add ice. Stir well. Garnish with lemon spiral.

Although the Hawaii Society may be new to the world of inaugural balls, the American Indian Society of Washington, D.C., has been celebrating presidential inaugurations by hosting its own celebration for the past 20 years.The Diamond Raspberry Rickey is the cocktail of choice at the party, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City on  Inauguration  Day.Cocktail, food, and beverage director, Sherri Hicks, created the cocktail, which is served in a hi-ball glass.The recipe:2 ounces  Tanqueray No. Ten gin1 ounce Daily’s Bar syrup1 ounce fresh lime juice1/4 ounce Daily’s Caribbean Groove Raspberry4 fresh raspberriesTop with Sierra Mist   Combine all ingredients, except Sierra Mist, in a mixing glass. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice. Top with Sierra Mist and stir.

“Inaugural Cheer” is the aptly named cocktail that will be served at the Creative Coalition’s Gala Inaugural Ball. Created by Danielle Tatarin of the Designer Cocktail Company, this cocktail has attractive layers of red, white, and blue.The recipe:½ cup of crushed ice1 bud of Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup½ ounce syrup from Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup¼ ounce fresh lemon juice2 ounces Hpnotiq vodka2 ounces dry sparkling wine or champagnePlace Wild Hibiscus Flower upright in the bottom of a champagne flute. Mix lemon juice and Wild Hibiscus Syrup and pour mixture over the flower. Add crushed ice, then slowly pour Hpnotiq over ice. Slowly top with dry sparkling wine or champagne.

Flute glasses filled with the Champagne and Pearls cocktail will be lifted at the St Regis Hotel on Monday at the Asia Society’s “Spirit of Asia in America” Presidential Inaugural reception.The cocktail, which was created by mixologist Mia Baila using Cointreau Caviar, will be sure to turn a few heads because of a technique that transforms the Cointreau liqueur from a liquid into a set of solid “pearls” suspended in the champagne cocktail.

Hennessy cognac is honoring the 44th President-elect with the launch of a limited edition bottle, featuring a redesigned label, black capsule and a 44 seal. Only 180,000 numbered bottles were made for sale in select states. A portion of the proceeds from the product’s sale will be donated to the Thurgood Marshall College fund to create two four-year scholarships.The limited-edition cognac is tied to a number of celebrations in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Hip Hop Summit Action Network Inaugural Ball where a cocktail called the Hennessy 44 will be served.The recipe:1 1/2 ounces Hennessy4 ounces pineapple juiceA splash of Moet & Chandon ChampagnePour Hennessey and pineapple juice in a highball glass filled with ice, add champagne and stir gently. Garnish with a slice of pinapple or lemon.  >> Replay Slideshow