8 Election-Night Drinking Games To Help You Celebrate Or Ease The Pain (Slideshow)
8 Election-Night Drinking Games to Help You Celebrate or Ease the Pain
After more than a year and a half of speeches, debates, scandals, and political ads, it's all about to come to an end. And doesn't that call for a drink (or two, or three)?
CNN’s Beloved “Magic Wall”
If you happen to be tuned in to CNN, you'll be treated to the anchors' use of the "Magic Wall," a touchpad TV used for illustrating nuanced election developments to viewers. CNN clearly has invested a lot of money into this technology and their frequent referral to the "Magic Wall" calls for a sip of your drink. Because of the constant mentions and uses of the "Magic Wall," we recommend sipping on Magic Hat #9.
Everything Is Going Wrong
Let's be real... the 2016 presidential election has been one of the most mud-slinging, divisive, and dramatic elections in recent history. On election night, there are plenty of things that can go very, very wrong. Will Trump refuse to concede to Clinton? Will there be a major upset in a reliably red or blue state? (We're looking at you, Utah...) Did neither candidate make it to 270 before it's time to go to bed? If something is just catastrophically messed up, we recommend you find the nearest liquor bottle and pour yourself a double shot — it doesn't matter what. You're gonna need it.
Breaking News!
Newscasters like to throw around the phrase "breaking news" like there's no tomorrow. New poll numbers in? Breaking news! Clinton unsurprisingly wins a traditionally blue state? Breaking News! Any time the breaking news banner pops up or an anchor speaks the phrase, take a sip of your drink. If the news is actually something important and genuinely breaking, finish it. To keep up with the brisk pace of broadcasters, we recommend something quick and easy to make, like a White Russian (no Vladimir Putin endorsement implied).
“We Are Now Able to Predict…”
When the polls have closed and it's time for the results to start being called, it's hard and fast. When the networks are ready to start projecting winners, take a sip of your drink any time you hear: "We are now projecting..." To keep up with the patriotic theme of the night, we recommend drinking an American Flag for this game.
Red and Blue
This game is simple (and effective). Pick a candidate to drink for: Donald Trump (red) or Hillary Clinton (blue). Each time a state is called for your choice, take a sip of your drink. If you're drinking for the GOP, we recommend something old school and red like a Bloody Mary. If you're drinking for the Dems, go for a light and modern cocktail like the blue lagoon.
Winner, Loser
This election is going to be a nail-biter. So if you're feeling a little extra anxious this year, this one is for you. If your candidate wins, toast your friends and finish your drink in celebration; if your candidate loses, top off your glass with some extra liquor and then finish your drink. Either way, everyone wins this game.
“It’s Going to Be a Long Night…” / “Too Close to Call…”
Election night can be a fun time, but it also seems to drag on forever. Are you in it for the long haul? You'll need to stay awake. When you hear either of these phrases, it's a reminder that you need a little bit of caffeine with that booze. These coffee cocktails will give you that necessary extra kick.
It’s Not Just About the President
Though almost all of the attention this year has been on Clinton versus Trump in the race to the White House, there are plenty of other elections happening across the country simultaneously. Twelve states are holding gubernatorial elections, 34 Senate seats are up for grabs, and there are elections in all 435 House districts. If literally any other race beside the presidential one is mentioned, take a drink for the other guys.