WSTA reimagines UK political leaders as cocktails

On the eve of the general election the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed its take on the political leaders vying for our votes by devising a selection cocktails that sum up the character of each.

Not representative colours of the political parties standing in this year’s general election, sadly.

Tomorrow (June 8), UK citizens will head to the polls to choose their preferred leader, after Prime Minister Theresa May called for a snap general election last month.

Whether you will be celebrating or commiserating the results of the general election come Friday the chances are you will need a drink with which to do it.

The WSTA has come up with its own collection of not-so-subtle cocktails that correspond to the nine political leaders up for the role of Prime Minister, mixing a cocktail befitting of their individual character traits and political persuasions.

It is in no way a conclusive or practical method of deciding who will get your vote tomorrow, but a light hearted snapshot of the UK’s political landscape. Besides, heavily weighted political issues are much easier to contemplate with a drink in hand.

Click through for a snapshot of the nine political party leaders hoping to win your vote tomorrow, in cocktail form.

Read into the meaning of each serve and the association to its respective political partner as you wish.

True Blue G&T

The cocktail: “An uncomplicated and unmistakably British classic. Using some traditional old school quality gin, with a modern tonic mixer, a served with a spoon of Conservative blue Blueberries. Popular, but not to everyone’s liking.”

Party: Conservative

Leader: Theresa May

The Corbyn Libre

The cocktail: “A take on the leftist South American classic, but made with English rum, keeping the spirit of revolution but crafted in a trendy East London distillery. Mixed with some plain and sobering club soda and a sprig of home grown mint from an Islington allotment. Garnished with a Labour red cherry.”

Party: Labour

Leader: Jeremy Corbyn

The Smoking Sturgeon

The cocktail: “This unmistakably Scottish cocktail is made with a traditional smoky scotch whisky, mixed with a fiery and generous helping of ginger ale and topped with a SNP yellow Lemon Peel. Liked across the UK but happy just staying in Scotland.”

Party: Scottish National Party

Leader: Nicola Stugeon

The Yellow Peril

The cocktail: “A twist on the “velvet hammer” cocktail, seemingly soft on the outside but with a hard interior. Made with a happy marriage of Lib Dem Orange Liquor, a liberal splash of milk and served with a twisty straw – to help it face a number of ways at once.”

Party: Liberal Democrats

Leader: Tim Farron

The Green Bellini

The cocktail: “Made with biodynamic English sparkling wine, which, much like the Green Party is grown in the south and punching above its weight, but still a small player overall. Mixed with sustainably produced local apple juice and garnished with organic green apple peel.”

Party: Green Party of England and Wales

Leader: Co-leaders, Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley

The Cymru Sour

The cocktail: “A take on the traditional sour, made with citrusy Welsh whisky, a spirit that, like Plaid Cymru, is young and mixing things up in Wales. Mixed with egg white, a little sugar and lemon juice to make it sweet yet sharp. Garnished green and yellow with lemon and lime peel.”

Party: Plaid Cymru

Leader: Leanne Wood

The UKIP Punch

Paul Nuttal with Nigel Farage

The cocktail: “A boozy and no-nonsense British cocktail made with a splash of British gin and classic gin summer cup. Mixed with lemonade and served with deep purple blackberries and a slice of yellow lemon. Not to everyone’s liking and hard to see its purpose when summer has gone.”

Party: UKIP

Leader: Paul Nuttall