Many people have been asking what the Donald Trump presidential cupcake will be. There are guesses and suggestions flying at me at the most unexpected times. I have to say that I don’t know yet. I’ll need to give President Trump some time in order for me to create the right biographical cupcake for him.
In the meanwhile, post-election, I decided to make sangria.
Since those who drink often drink when they’re celebrating or when they’re sad, it seemed like this election could be commemorated here with a drink. That way, you could sort of choose your own post-election, politician-themed adventure.
Hillary Clinton, I think that most people would agree, was a more traditional politician. She spent several years surrounded by and working in our political system. Here, she is represented by a more traditional sangria. Hers contains what you might expect to see in a sangria: wine, brandy, apple and orange. There is also grapefruit, lime and lemon in this sangria, a reference to the broad group of voters that she would need to attract, that a single constituency wouldn’t win this for her. The sweetener here is honey since Hillary Clinton being called unlikable throughout the election cycle reminds one of the adage where one is advised that honey is more attractive than vinegar. This sangria also contains rosemary, a strong, hardy herb that can withstand quite a bit, but not everything. Rosemary also imparts a strong flavor. Finally, there’s a hint of rose extract in the Clinton sangria. This is because it adds a distinctly perfumed element to this drink. This is a nod to Clinton’s gender.
Donald Trump is represented by a white wine sangria. Like the Clinton sangria, the Trump drink contains apples, lemons, and oranges. Instead of brandy, the Trump sangria is fortified with white rum and is sweetened by a straightforward, it-is-what-it-is white granulated sugar. This is, in part, a red, white and blue sangria, a color scheme that goes well with a slogan like “Make America Great Again.” The red comes from pomegranate arils. Since some believe that the fruit eaten in the Garden of Eden was not an apple, but a pomegranate, this seemed like an appropriate fruit to include here. This is a reference to the Access Hollywood tapes and the coverage that followed, and also Trump’s choice to invite woman who had at some point accused President Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct. The idea of the original sin never seemed too far away this election season. The Trump sangria also includes mint, an herb associated with freshness. This represents Trump’s campaign promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington DC. The blueberries are there for appearances.
Both of these drinks were delicious, and proved a welcome refreshment as we bid farewell to the 2016 election cycle.