As always, my advice for tonight’s debate is to lower your expectations.

And: Have a stiff drink handy.

Happily, a reader in Denver e-mailed the perfect recipe.

I’m going to go out and buy the ingredients ASAP:

I am a bartender in the Hotel Teatro, Denver Colorado. I read you a lot and I invented a drink for you, I call it the ACORN. Ingredients are Amaretto, Cranberry, Orange Juice, Rum and Nutmeg. ACORN! Shake it up serve as a martini. Don’t know if you drink but if you do, enjoy! It tastes pretty good.

Bottoms up!