Any Bar Can Make A Drink, Few Make History
(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)
Named after what many consider to be the world's first mixed drink, New Orleans Sazerac Bar carries with it as much history and lore as its potable namesake.
It seems that in 1949, Seymour Weiss, the owner of the Roosevelt Hotel, came up with an awesome idea. He bought a bar up the street from his hotel called the Sazerac, shut it down, then reopened a bar of the same name in the Roosevelt.
He soon let it be known that the bar would serve women every day instead of just on Mardi Gras as the local rule had been. Just in case anyone missed this message Mr. Weiss went to the local department store down the street and recruited ladies from the makeup department to come "storm" the bar. So became the original "ladies night" or "The Storming of Sazeracs".
And, as a side note, "the Sazerac" drink was named the state cocktail of Louisiana in 2008.
The Pots are on...
The Plate...
In the tradition of the Carnival season...
So, as we prepare for the crescendo of Mardi Gras Madness; let's have a little warm up and review of some of New Orleans famous and most popular cocktails.
Now, I'm not talking about "Big Ass Beers or Hand Grenades" on Bourbon. I am speaking of a true cocktail from a "real" bar with a cool vibe and great music. A real bar knows how to do traditional drinks like Ramos Gin Fizz, Pimm's Cup, Martinis and yes, the Sazerac.
They also need some newer "cool" drinks to keep them fresh, I guess. Today we will stick to the honored tradition of a "real" cocktail.
So, with out further ado let's skip down to "The Bar", shall we?
The Playlist...
Hangin' at the Sazerac Bar
Way better than your average piano bar. We're talking old school New Orleans style jazz. It's the perfect thing to go with a classic cocktail. Try Dr. Michael White's "Crescent City Calypso" or my favorite, Ellis Marsalis playing just about anything. So sit back, sip yo Sazerac and enjoy. It doesn't get any better than this.
The Bar...
The Sazerac
What you need...
2 oz cognac
1/4 oz simple syrup
2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
2 dashes Absinthe (or Herbasaint or Pernod)
Twist of lemon
What you do...
Combine cognac, simple syrup, and bitters over ice in a shaker. and stir.
In a pre-chilled rocks glass, pour in the absinthe and swirl to coat. Pour out any excess.
Strain the cocktail into the glass.
Squeeze the lemon twist over the glass, run it around the rim and drop into the glass.
Ramos Gin Fizz
What you need...
1 1/2 oz gin
1 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1 egg white
1 oz heavy cream
3 drops orange flower water
1 oz chilled club soda
What you do...
In a shaker, combine all the ingredients except the club soda.
Shake, shake, shake.
Add ice cubes and shake again for at least 2 minutes to give the drink it's frothy texture.
Strain into a highball glass, top with club soda and stir.
In New Orleans...
No comments:
Post a Comment