New Orleans is a city in many sectors. You can look at the town in light of our Old World heritage, or maybe you prefer to view the town by age groups, architectural styles, party preferences, restaurant types, bars, economic variations defined by blocks, streetcar service, water features, historic events or even parade routes.
Or you can consider New Orleans as a whole, on its own terms, a town not divided at all but as a magical sum of all the parts; each one essential to the ensemble and each one celebrated.
The sight this month of a parade honoring the patron saint of Ireland, marching through the Irish Channel, right past a Mexican restaurant featuring the cuisine of our neighbor to the south, isn’t anything unusual. Most folks won’t even look twice at the scene, let alone be amazed. They will be too busy with the passing parade of dazzling floats and marchers offering green beads. Catching cabbages, carrots, potatoes – all the makings of an Irish Stew except the meat – and wearin’ o’ the green will be the orders of the day.
Why not toss a couple of Irish cocktails into the celebration, alongside tostadas, tamales, guacamole, burritos and nachos? Araña has made it quite easy to blend cultures and spirits.
It is the way we party and celebrate everyone’s life in America’s true melting pot.
Irish Tea Party
2 ounces Jameson Irish whiskey
1.5 ounces green tea
1 splash agave nectar
Sombra mezcal rinse
Pour mezcal into glass; swirl in glass and empty, leaving glass coated.
Combine whiskey, green tea and agave nectar into cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake. Strain and pour into “rocks” glass with ice and enjoy.
Created especially for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations by Araña, 3242 Magazine St.
The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade will proceed through the Irish Channel on Sat., March 14, starting at 1 p.m. Araña Taqueria y Cantina is on the parade route.
