I had the pleasure of attending the pre-game Saints tailgate party sponsored by my friends at WVUE, the FOX station in New Orleans last week. In case you didn’t know, New Orleans is a city that lives in a constant party….add the Superbowl to the festivities and it is an explosive, joyous occasion.
February 7th marks the big day, and any big day requires big cocktails, Big Easy style. Here are a few ideas:
New Orleans Hurricane
Pat O’Brien’s is famous for their very New Orleans cocktail. Back in my bartending days I used this recipe for this sweet selection.
2 ounces light rum
2 ounces orange juice
2 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces sweet and sour mix
splash of grenadine
1/5 ounce Bacardi 151
Fill a tall glass with ice; in a shaker add the first 5 ingredients; shake and pour into the glass. Float the 151 on top.
Easy as that!
The Vieux Carre Cocktail
The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone is one of the cities most famous attractions, and one of my favorite spots in New Orleans. This is one of their star cocktails.
1/2 shot Rye Whiskey
1/2 shot Courvoisier
1/2 teaspoon Benedictine and and a dash of bitters
Serve on the rocks with a lemon twist.
Champagne Cocktails
Always up for bubbly, the Superbowl requires it to be taken to the next level. The classic recipe includes your favorite Champagne or sparkler poured over a sugar cube soaked in a few dashes of bitters, top with a cherry.
Sazerac
What has been referred to as “the first cocktail” from this city of great cocktails.
½ Teaspoon Herbsaint or Pernod
3 oz Bourbon
Dash Peychaud’s bitters
1 Teaspoon simple syrup
Swirl 1/2 teaspoon Herbsaint or Pernod in a Martini glass to coat inside.
Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add bourbon, bitters, simple syrup, and lemon twist. Shake well; strain into glass.
For our Indianapolis Colts fans:
Blue Crew Martini
2 tsp blueberries
2. oz of your favorite vodka (the Colts like Indiana Vodka made in the heart of Indianapolis)
1 oz Blue Curacao
Club soda
In a shaker filled with ice combine the vodka and Blue Curacao. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with blueberries floating on top and a splash of club soda.
Shandy
It is the Superbowl, so we have to include beer.
8 to 12 oz lager beer
4 to 8 oz fresh lemonade, or lemon-lime soda
I had my first Shandy in London with my sister about 10 years ago. She is more of a half and half Shandy drinker; I enjoy just a top off of lemonade. Mix it how you like.
