Drink Your Way Through the Vice Presidential Debate

It’s time for the vice presidential debate, which means it’s time to make a cocktail or two to get you through 90-minutes of political arguing, nonsense, and (if we’re lucky) insight into which candidate will succeed in November. Thankfully, we’ve got just the incentivizing recipes to help you be a good citizen and watch the whole debate. You could even make a different cocktail for everyone and devise a debate drinking game. Either way, sipping these beverages should help soothe your nerves. And trust us, you’re going to want to take advantage of any way to relax after hearing Tim Walz and J.D. Vance go head-to-head. 

TABLE Magazine reminds you to please debate responsibly! 

When and Where Can I Watch the 2024 Vice Presidential Debate?

CBS will host the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, October 1 at 9 p.m. ET. While the debate will take place in New York City, there will be no live audience for this debate, much like the last presidential debate. This time around we have moderators Norah O’Donnell, anchor for CBS Evening News and Margaret Brennan, Face the Nation moderator and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent. Those watching at home can view the debate on CBS, ABC, Paramount+, CBS News 24/7, CBSNews.com, and YouTube.

Recipes to Drink Your Way Through the Vice Presidential Debate

PainKiller Cocktail

Two white yellow frozen drinks in tall, skinny glasses, PainKiller Cocktail

The PainKiller Cocktail is a completely relevant preparation for watching any political debate. This boozy mix of rum and fresh fruit juices is refreshing and hard-hitting. Plus, with the bright color of this cocktail, you’ll head into the debate bright-eyed and smiling (which will most likely diminish quickly but it’s a good start). 

Bleeding Heart Cocktail

In a cocktail glass sits a redish beverage with lemon slices inside.

Whether you see it as a good or bad thing, we’re sure the term “bleeding heart” will be thrown around at some point during this vice presidential debate. Our Bleeding Heart Cocktail uses Gruet wine for an elevated experience. Or, you can drink the rest of the bottle of wine after the doom and gloom has set in around the delivery of the second question. 

Stealing the Moonlight Simple Pink Cocktail

A pink cocktail with a flower floating at its center on a black background

This cocktail may be called Stealing the Moonlight but for tonight’s purposes, we’ll consider it Stealing the Spotlight instead. It’s an easy mix of your favorite tequila and a homemade rose vanilla syrup. We challenge you to take a sip every time one candidate interrupts the other and steals the spotlight. Just be careful not to finish your whole glass before the first topic is over. 

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Cocktails

Kong and Godzilla figurines standing next to cocktails. One in a rocks glass and the other in a coupe with a deep purple background and a peeling black surface.

Much like the famous showdown between Walz and Vance, Godzilla and King Kong have longstanding beef. You have your choice between our Godzilla or King Kong Cocktails (we’ll let you decide which candidate is which creature). The Kong one is a little tart and a little sweet with a hint of spice behind it. On the other hand, the Godzilla Cocktail is bold and spicy with complex profiles from the sake and spicy ginger simple syrup. 

Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel

A red can of beer pours into a glass of Cousin Eddie's Trailer Fuel surrounded by snow and trees and garnished with a lime wheel.

Something about this cocktail inspired by Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation just makes sense in this article. The combination of a cheap beer with a shot of tequila, a bit of agave syrup, and lime, seems like a drinkable version of this debate. A.K.A, it’s not the greatest thing ever but we’ll work with what we have (sound familiar?).

Smoking Gun Mezcal Smoky Cocktail

A mezcal cocktail on a black background, garnished with an orange slice

What will be the smoking gun of the vice presidential debate…otherwise known as the point that solidifies which candidate you will be voting for. Will it be when issues of education and the economy come up? What about world affairs and gun control? Or, maybe we’ll just let our Smoking Gun Cocktail take the lead so you don’t have to make any quick decisions. Enjoy its smoky flavor of mezcal swirled into rich whiskey and orange bitters. 

Appetite for Destruction Cocktail, Inspired by Guns N’ Roses

Two light purple cocktails with smoke and skull ice cubes on a black background

With great power, like that of being voted vice president, comes great responsibility. Hence why we’re sure hoping these two candidates don’t have an Appetite for Destruction. Take the power out of their hands and into your own with this vibrant and delicious cocktail. A mix of Empress 1908 Indigo Gin and acidic lime juice gives this cocktail its unforgettable color, possibly even more unforgettable than this debate. 

Rage, A Cocktail for Gladiator II

A cocktail for Gladiator II, bright red in a coupe glass on a white background

It’s tough to stay calm in a debate both as one of the opponents and as the audience. Let your anger fly with our Rage Cocktail. The best part? You get to set this glass on fire as a visual representation of what’s happening on television. But, the sweet and spicy trade off of high proof rum and vanilla fig syrup is another reason to shake up this cocktail. 

Gold Medal Cocktail for The Olympics

A cocktail glass sits on a white background with a fizzy Gold Medal drink inside and a sprig of rosemary on top.

And finally, there has to be a winner at the end of the debate. We’ll let you award this citrusy Gold Medal Cocktail to whoever you think deserves it. You may even award it to yourself for sitting through 90-minutes of political blather. Just be sure to top it off with champagne for a true celebratory beverage. 

Story by Kylie Thomas

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