Eurovision 2014: Matching drinks for Denmark and The Big Five songs

Some drinks are compulsory on the menu due to tradition, popularity and history. Same goes for Eurovision Song Contest. 'The Big Five' countries are entitled to return to the final year by year, no matter what kind of songs they are coming up with the year before. Fair or unfair – that’s a continuously ongoing discussion. The quality of The Big Five songs is quite good this year and maybe it will be even better if we find the matching drinks for the contestants. But let’s start with the hosting country, Denmark. Due to the victory last year they do not need to pass via the semifinals.

Denmark: Basim "Cliche Love Song"

This song, (plus Latvia’s "Cake To Bake") will for sure be a hit among the kids below 7 years. Everybody can sing along with 'skuba duba dabda dididaj' and the phrase sticks into the mind as a leech. There is no matching drink I can think of for adults. But the kids will get sickly, sweet strawberry lemonade which will give them a sugar shock. Sorry parents but your offsprings have been transformed into ‘cliché babies’ and you have to listen to this song for rest of the summer.     





France: TWIN TWIN "Moustache"

"It doesn’t matter how much money we have, if we don’t have a moustache. A moustache will make us happy and lucky". This is the real cliché song of the year but I definitely don’t want a moustache. However, I like the song but I do need a strong drink after three minutes with the twins and their side kicks. A Bacardi & Coke will do fine (JP – can you help, please?).   
4 cl Bacardi rum
16 cl Coca-Cola
Fill a tall glass completely with ice cubes. Mix the ingredients into the glass and serve with a slice of lemon put on the glass.

 

Germany: Elaiza "Is it right"

Usually it is rather easy to have (some kind of) an opinion about the songs, but not this one. It leaves me completely untouched. On Elaiza's question "Is it right", I have to answer "unfortunately not", in case you intend to reach top-10. Don't be sorry for that. I have an idea where the song might work: afternoon bingo for retired people. Therefore, my drink proposal to you girls is called Bingo.
4 cl vodka
4 cl Mandarine Napoleon
4 cl Bols Apricot Brandy
2 cl frech lemon juice
Mix the ingredients into a high ball glass with ice and top with soda water.


Italy: Emma "La Mia Città"

Rock and roll in Italian. A tough, trendy woman with attitude. What more is needed? Niente. On top of it I like the song. Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate Eurovision somewhere in ‘bella Italia’? The matching drink for Emma is a Flaming Sambuca Shot. If it feels too burning dangerous, you can cool yourself down with a glass of chilled Prosecco.
5 cl black or white Sambuca
3 coffee beans
Put the coffee beans in a shooter and add sambuca. Light the sambuca and let burn for 10 seconds or so. Cover the glass with your hand to extinguish, then inhale the air underneath your hand. Drink the shot.
PS: Emma sings that she ‘hate high heels’ and I’m very curios about what shoes she will be wearing in the final.

Spain: Ruth Lorenzo "Dancing in the rain"

A traditional and beautiful Eurovision ballad. Some may say it’s old fashion but don’t listen to them. Just enjoy the fabulous Ruth while you are sipping on your Martini Rossini.
4 cl Martini Bianco
2 cl peach puree
8 cl cava or some other kind of sparkling wine
Mix and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a raspberry or strawberry.






United Kingdom: Molly Smitten-Downes "Children of the Universe"

 Nobody knew who Molly was, until she was picked by BBC to represent UK. A cinderella-story and maybe this is a reason for her popularity, especially among the British fans. The song is written by Molly and Swedish Anders Hansson. It’s not bad but the repeating lyrics 'Power to the people' feels nagging after a minute or so. For me this is a 'season-kind-of-song'.  Like Pimm’s is a 'season-kind-of-drink'. To all the people of the Universe and other Molly-fans, let’s say cheers and have a jug of Pimm’s.
250ml Pimm's
1 litre lemonade
1/2 cucumber, chopped
1 apple, cored and chopped
1 orange, sliced
3 strawberries, sliced
Handful fresh mint leaves
Optional ingredients: 1/2 lime, sliced, 1/2 lemon, sliced, 2-3 fresh pineapple rings
Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher. Serve chilled or over ice, but it's better chilled.

Here are all the finalist countries in running order:
1. UKRAINA
2. BELARUS
3. AZERBADIJAN
4. ICELAND
5. NORWAY
6. ROMANIA
7. ARMENIAN
8. MONTENEGRO
9. POLAND
10. GRECECE
11. AUSTRIA
12. GERMANY
13. SWEDEN
14. FRANCE
15. RUSSIA
16. ITALY
17. SLOVENIA
18. FINLAND
19. SPAIN
20.SWITZERLAND
21. HUNGARY
22. MALTA
23. DENMARK
24. THE NETHERLANDS
25. SAN MARINO
26 UNITED KINGDOM