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There’s a heady cocktail in America’s capital region but we’re not talking, for now, about Trump 2.0.

Particularly with a bottle of the finest Northern Irish Galgorm gin looking for a mixer for our Christmas party.

And may we suggest the humble Washington DC gin rickey, the juice of the juniper, carbonated water and a squeezed lime?

The tipple which has been loosening the tongues of politicians on the Hill for nearly a century and a half.

Capitals idea

It’s how our friends in the Capital Region USA toast this time of year… who are we kidding all times of the year?

Just like Democratic lobbyist Joe Hickey of Missouri was wont to do back in the 1880s.

Now here’s a capital idea that our chum Cass has put together to extend the ‘special relationship’ between the US and Britain.

Man in the know: With George and Issy

With Capital Region working with St Ermin’s Hotel in London to curate a collection of their festive cocktails.

Bringing the region to life through the tastes, smells and sights of Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Now helpfully CRU have opened up their drinks trolley to showcase these other faves.

Virginian territory

Virginia’s Moonshine Mixology: Because the most famous Virginian of them all, George Washington was the largest producer of whiskey in the Commonwealth.

Belle Isle Craft Spirits in Richmond, Virginia, uses its moonshine and mixes it with iced tea and house lemonade.

St Ermin’s Hotel recipe: 50ml apple and ginger juice, 50ml pomegranate juice, 50ml moonshine and a splash of lemon juice. Shake with ice and serve.

Cherry baby

DC’s Cherry Blossom Revolution: Antonio Matarazzo’s creation, Cherry Revolution celebrates Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival heritage.

By blending Don Ciccio & Figil Cerasum Aperitivo, an infusion of three different kinds of cherries and Sakura blossoms.

With vodka, orange and Galliano L’Autentico, and Anise and peppermint tasting liquor for a festive explosion.

St Ermin’s recipe: 50ml vodka, 80ml orange juice, 20ml cherry liquor, shot of herbal liquor, shake over ice, serve with cherry and garnish with blossom flower.

Cooler Mule ah

Maryland Mule: Traditionally served in a copper mug, this Maryland classic celebrates the state’s love affair with rye whiskey.

Pick award-winning Sagamore Spirits mixed with ginger beer, half a lime, and mint for garnish.

St Ermin’s recipe: 50ml rye whiskey, 100ml ginger beer, splash of fresh lime over ice, stir and serve.

So where will Britain’s Prime Minister go to relax away from the election hustings… may we suggest a new Westminster haunt for Sushi Sunak?

We’ve all got to know a lot more about the Tory leader these past months and among the titbits is he’s a lover of Japanese food.

And coke, or cola, as he quickly corrected himself in front of a room of kids.

Sushi Rishi may be of Indian heritage but his culinary tastes stretch further east.

Big in Japan

Pinny your hopes on me: Sunak time in Japan

As we discovered when he attended the G7 summit last year in Hiroshima with his wife Akshata Murty (and we’re still trying to find a family link here).

And good sport that Rishi is he signed up for a cooking class to make okonomiyaki.

For those of us who are yet to savour its delights it’s said to be a Japanese pancake.

And so you get a heaped mound of batter, cabbage, noodles and often meat before frying on a hot plate and smother with savoury sauce.

Meaning ‘cooked as you like’ it is widely considered ‘soul food’ in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Now the Japanese restaurants like to fry it in front of the customers.

While it is also common for others to let the customers fry it themselves.

Sushi and sunshine

Whether Rishi has persuaded the House of Commons or his favourite private clubs to put okonomiyaki on the menu we couldn’t possibly say.

Official Secrets Act and all that.

But we dare say that he would be particularly taken by the new summer season Sushi and Sunshine menu at the Westminster institution that is St Ermin’s Hotel.

With guests and visitors dining alfresco on the revamped terrace, which overlooks the hotel’s lush courtyard.

Where you can graze on freshly rolled sushi designed by Executive Chef John Kouphou.

The exquisite menu offers a selection of Uramaki, sushi rolls with filling and nori seaweed.,

Wrapped in sushi sauce, served with wasabi, pickled gingers and soy sauce.

Each portion contains eight beautifully prepared rolls which include Spicy Tuna (£12), Prawn Dynamite Roll (£12), Classic California Roll (£14), Crab Uramaki (£14), St Ermin’s Vegan Class (£10), and the Executive Chef’s special Beef Uramaki (£12).

Salmon and vegetarian poke bowls are also available on the menu alongside carefully curated Asian-influenced cocktails.

And while Rishi will sipping on his coke through a straw, other guests can choose from… a selection of chosen wines, beers, and spirits, including St Ermin’s London Dry Gin.

The gin is made from hand-picked botanicals from the hotel’s rooftop garden and honey.

All direct from the beehives and is a refreshing and uplifting alfresco drink.

Rishi’s Bee & Bee hotel

St Ermin’s Hotel is renowned too for its afternoon tea, served in the first floor mezzanine Tea Lounge, which has just completed an extensive redecoration.

Afternoon Tea is served daily in The Tea Lounge and library, 12pm-5pm.

Cost is from £43 per person or £48 per person with a glass of champagne.

St Ermin’s rightly plays up its history, eclectic styling, rooms and suites.

As well as its enigmatic Caxton Bar and Terrace plus award winning signature restaurant, The Caxton.

The four-star deluxe St. Ermin’s Hotel which is a member of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection.

London life: With everything on your doorstep

And caters for all, with dogs welcome and even bees with resident Buckfast bee hives on the third-floor wildflower terrace.

Which gives rise to calling itself London’s only ‘Bee & Bee’ hotel.

So for the election times that we’re in, it sure sounds like a new Westminster haunt for Sushi Sunak.

St Ermin’s has kindly given us their lead in prices which are:

So a standard double superior room from £329, family room from £459, suites from £599 and family suites from £599.

And we figure then that a stay at St Ermin’s would be nothing for the generously-off Rishi and his minted Murty wife.

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A heady cocktail in America’s capital region