Mardi Gras Cocktails

Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday”, is February 9th this year, and we’re ready to celebrate. New Orleans is one of the great cocktail cities in the world, the home to many famous drinks, so there’s plenty to talk about. Make a few Mardi Gras cocktails, be sure to put on some zydeco, and bring some friends along.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

* Some of the classic New Orleans Mardi Gras Cocktails

* How New Orleans became established as the cocktail capital it is today

* Ideas for a Mardi Gras Party

Wise Words:

“If there was no New Orleans, America would just be a bunch of free people dying of boredom.” -Judy Deck

“Red Beans and Ricely Yours…” –Louis Armstrong’s Signature Line in Letters

Suggested Liquors:

Copper & Kings Absinthe – An absinthe rinse of the glass is the first step in a Sazerac, the New Orleans’ version of an Old Fashioned. Jordans’ particular favorite is the Copper & Kings Lavender Absinthe Superior for floral notes that can set a cocktail onto a whole new level. Check out our Sazerac Recipe here.

Benedictine – This herbal liqueiur from Normandy, France is featured in the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Vieux Carré. The honeyed sweetness of the liquor up front makes it a great pair for Brandy as well, and at 40% ABV, it can be enjoyed on the rocks as well. Every bottle of Benedictine has the abbreviation D.O.M. for “Deo Optimo Maximo,” meaning “To God, Most Good, Most Great.” We’d agree with that assessment. Check out our Vieux Carré Recipe.

Chartreuse – This classic French liquor can be substituted into a lot of New Orleans drinks recipes. It comes in a few variations, and while it is an investment bottle, you’ll find plenty of ways to use this classic concoction.

Notes and Corrections:

* Jordan second guesses himself on the show when he and Alex are discussing sours as a form of cocktail. To clarify, sours are traditionally made with either lemon juice, lime juice, or both, but grapefruit juice is indeed a perfectly acceptable substitute or alternative for a sour. You’ll often see these juices used in combination. Other fruit juices may additionally be used in a sour cocktail recipe, but it is these citrus fruits that make it one.

* **Also, always use fresh fruit juice if you can, or plain juice from a jar or container if you must, but never use sour mixes—really, you can do without this pre-mixed stuff forever. You can make your own mix with a sugar : water : citrus ratio of 1 part : 1 part : 1.5 parts.**

Others Features:

* A History of the Sazerac

* Difford’s Guide Recipe for the Brandy Crusta 

* Eater’s Guide to New Orleans Cocktails 

* Louis Armstrong – When the Saints Go Marching In 

* National Public Radio: The Music Of Mardi Gras: History You Can Dance To 

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