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The 2012 Presidential Debates are coming, the first of which is this Wednesday night, reminding us there's no hope left for our country.

Mitt Romney is telling us to "Believe in America," which is not a bad idea. It's similar to Stalin telling folks to "believe in Mother Russia." Hey, those Gulags created a lot of jobs!" President Obama's campaign has changed from "HOPE" and "CHANGE" to "Forward," which could mean "forward" into debt, war, utter despair or devastation (if the last four years are any indication, it certainly looks that way).

What to do? As George Bernard Shaw once said, "Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life." So at the very least, let's turn the debate into a fun little activity where you can invite your friends over and resist crying together like a backwards support group. We'll call this a "game."

Here are some guidelines:

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To the shock of no one anywhere come the results of a study by Colgate University's associate professor of sociology Carolyn Hsu.

According to Hsu, college students are well aware of what binge drinking is and what the consequences are -- and they'll continue to drink and get drunk because it makes them happy and cool.

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Katie Johnson

For more than 80 years, the Arizona Biltmore has been one of Arizona's most popular historic landmarks.

And with its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design (the actual architect of record is Albert Chase McArthur), its long list of old-school celebrity guests, and prime Central Phoenix location, the Great Gatsby-esque hotel attracts staycationers and out-of-towners alike.

Almost as historic as the hotel itself is its cocktail menu, featuring the Biltmore Original Tequila Sunrise.

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Katie Johnson

Phoenix-based chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is indeed a culinary queen who just expanded her empire from Barrio Café in Phoenix to Barrio Queen in Scottsdale and Barrio Cafe at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

At Old Town Scottsdale's South Bridge, Barrio Queen offers up table-side guacamole, more than 50 types of tacos, and eye candy in the form of artwork by Phoenix artists including Angel Diaz, Gennaro Garcia, Lalo Cota, Nomas, and Thomas Marcus.

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Katie Johnson

Dwayne Allen of the RUMbar in Downtown Phoenix, may have just discovered the best remedy to your summer work week -- introducing, a-RUM-a-therapy.

The recently launched punch social hour is delivered Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at $5 per glass and features $6 appetizers to pair.

Throughout the summer, the RUM bar will feature new, nightly batches of fresh squeezed ingredients for patrons to enjoy, with the explanation that no two batches are the same.

Stay long enough for the two-hour punch social and you may get to enjoy several varieties of what Dwayne refers to as the "sangria of Jamaica." In fact, last night's a-RUM-a-therapy featured quite a few refreshing variations of the RUMbar's Beet Punch.

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Katie Johnson

Old town Scottsdale is an enigma wrapped in a Red Bull can, wrapped in a bodycon dress.

Its paradoxical nightlife consistently delivers the same old same old, despite the constant flux of businesses. There are, however, a select few that stand apart from the herd, case in point: AZ 88.

For more than 20 years, this contemporary bar/restaurant has managed not to keep up with Scottsdale, but rather challenge Scottsdale to keep up with it, featuring ever-changing art installations, late night dinner and drinks, and some of the oddest bathrooms in Phoenix. But if there's one thing that AZ88 has kept consistent, it's the quality of its cocktails.

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Katie Johnson

Matt Carter's, Zinc Bistro is your French escape from the 100 plus temperatures of Arizona, offering fine dining and drinks in a metropolitan francaphone atmosphere.

Located smack dab in the middle of Kierland Commons, Zinc Bistro is the perfect spot for ambitious outdoor shoppers in need of a refreshing pick-me-up, specifically their Pettilier.

The Pétiller is a simple, bubbly concoction of sparkling lemonade, brut champagne, and supposedly vodka. The Pétiller, which roughly translated means "sparkle" en français, is, in even rougher translation, a fancy adult lemonade.

The dryness of brut cuts the sweetness of the lemonade and the raspberry infused vodka, making the cocktail subtle but satisfying. It's an ideal beverage for those in need of a little midday excitement without feeling like a midday alcoholic.

And besides, the French drink at lunch all the time, right? ...Right.

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Katie Johnson

The school year may be over, but summer session is well underway at Culinary Dropout. The Scottsdale gastropub, soon to open up a second location in Central Phoenix, is Fox Restaurant Concepts' "rebel-child," dishing out grade-worthy grub and a style that says it's just too cool for culinary school.

Culinary Dropout's cocktail menu sports playful school-themed titles such as the Home-Ec Martini, the After School Special, and the Dirty School Girl. With so many options, it's hard to choose just one; luckily our inner bad-boy spoke out and ordered the Black Apple Mischief.

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Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: The Cantarita at Astor House.More »

Since there's really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week Jackalope Ranch brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: Ruby Red at St. Francis.

Katie Johnson

St. Francis is easily a CenPho favorite, offering fresh menu items, seasonal selections, weekend brunch, and booze.

The restaurant's daily 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour features half off on all wines, wells and beers, and $5 signature cocktails. At that price, you'd be hardpressed not to try one. And we're suggesting the Ruby Red.

Simple yet satisfying, the Ruby Red combines fresh squeezed grapefruit, lime juice, simple syrup, and Campari. It's a tart pick-me-up for daily-grind Dorothy's looking to turn a gray day to Technicolor.

And because there's no place like home, you can try this drink in your own kitchen.

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