Cocktails on 'Ba-racks' as bars court Dems

Gargi Chakrabarty

Published August 25, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Johnny Ballen splashed Hpnotiq liqueur into a glass of Absolut Vanilia vodka, honing his bartending skills for eager patrons at Panzano's Sunday afternoon.

A dash of Sprite and club soda, some blueberries for garnish, and voila - the "Blue 'Bama" looked delicious.

It's even served "on ba-racks."

If Barack Obama's fans were being courted, so were John McCain's with the Right Wing Johnny - a blend of Charbay Raspberry vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, freshly muddled raspberries and served "uptight."

A tally kept over the past three weeks shows a tight race: Blue Bama - 49 percent; Right Wing Johnny - 51 percent.

"Lets see how it ends," said Panzano bar manager Jason Gordon.

Denver bars and restaurants, too, are eager to see how it ends - the convention that is. They're not sure about the convention's impact on business, but that's not dissuading them from rolling out the culinary carpet. Or tinkering with the cocktail menu.

Dixon's Downtown Grill's cocktails include Blue State of Mind, Smokin' Dean, Margaritter, Obamapolitan, Cuba Liberal, Rodham Sockem and the Hickenstooper.

Mezcal and Tambien restaurants have the Lean-N-Green margarita, keeping in mind the convention's eco-friendly theme.

Restaurants are extending their hours, aware that convention meetings wrap up at 9 p.m. and attendees will want to let off steam afterward.

Downtown establishments are not stocking up any more than normal, they say, since they are used to handling large crowds. A typical Broncos game pulls in 70,000 people - twice the number expected during the DNC.

Still, there will be an impact, said Pete Meersman of the Colorado Restaurant Association.

"Anytime 35,000 people come to town that don't have their own kitchen, there will be an impact," he said.

chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2976

DNC Cocktails

* Blue Bama: Hpnotiq, Absolut Vanilia, Sprite and fresh muddled blueberries - served on the 'Baracks.'

* Right Wing Johnny: Charbay raspberry vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, fresh muddled raspberries and served up.

* Rodham Sock 'em: Sto lichnaya vodka, lemonade concentrate, ice, blend and served frozen in a red wine glass, garnished with a lemon twist and a rock candy swizzle stick.

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