There are many major days of celebrations around here, and on those days I think all of us survey the scene and ask the question, “Why would anyone live any where else?”
While the answers, both positive and negative, may come easily and in packs, truthfully, New Orleans is a special place, made more so by our innate love of merriment – which always includes adult beverages. We are never far from a festival or a grand time, and if one is not handy, we make it happen just because we can and we want to.
All of this is made even more pleasurable as we indulge in one of our city’s big contributions to the world’s civilized societies; the Go-Cup. I cannot fathom why people who come here, almost 14 million souls last year, don’t go home and demand that their communities adopt this privilege Our visitors really enjoy the convenience and they quite easily fall into the habit of being treated like responsible adults.
My attitude has always been if a town does not trust its own residents and taxpayers on this issue, what else is identifiable out there where citizens are not regarded as grownups but rather as very large and elderly children?
Yes, we have our shortcomings but when it comes to festivals and go-cups, we have those situations covered. Which makes some of the other situations that are not resolved more tolerable.
What to put in a go-cup is the ongoing challenge, especially when the answer is not a Big-Ass Beer. That really should never be the answer. Trust me on this.
So, as a public service, here are some appropriate cocktails that might make that stroll through the city. go-cup in hand, much more enjoyable.
Let’s cover the first, obvious choice right away: Local Craft Beer. Your definition of local may cover a broader swath of geography than mine, but stray no further than Shreveport or Eastern Mississippi. Some darn fine brews being done around here.
We just passed National Gin & Tonic Day, April 9, but that does not mean we can’t still celebrate:
Hendrick’s Gin G&T
Ingredients:
- 1 part Hendrick’s Gin
- 2 parts Tonic Water
- Fill a highball glass with good cubed ice.
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and give a gentle stir. Add fresh-aqueezed lime to taste.
Offsetting your tardiness with the G&T special day, why don’t you get to the Cinco de Mayo party early?
Spicy Milagro Paloma
As suggested by Jaime Salas, National Milagro Brand Ambassador
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ parts Milagro Reposado Tequila
- ½ part Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur
- ½ part Fresh Lime Juice
- 3 parts Grapefruit Soda
- Grapefruit Wheel
Directions:
Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass and salt half the rim. Add ice, Milagro Reposado, Ancho Reyes and grapefruit soda. Squeeze a wedge of lime and discard. Garnish with a thin grapefruit wheel.
Continue to do the right thing with your recognition of World Cocktail Day, May 13. Perfect cocktail/go-cup pairing: an Old Fashioned.
Hudson Whiskey Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 1 part Hudson Baby Bourbon
- 3 dashes bitters
- 1 tsp bar sugar
- 1 lemon peel
Directions:
Muddle sugar, bitters, and soda. Add Baby Bourbon and ice and stir. Garnish with a lemon peel
Ignoring Mother’s Day, May 13, is not a choice. She raised you better than that.
Reyka Southside
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Reyka Vodka
- 1 part fresh lime juice
- ¾ part simple syrup (1:1)
- 4-6 Mint leaves
Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in cocktail shaker and double strain and garnish with mint leaf or sprig
World Whiskey Day is May 19. Not an opportunity you want to miss.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old High Ball
Ingredients:
- 1 part Glenfiddich 12 YO
- 3 parts soda water
- Pear slice
- Lemon slice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a Hi Ball packed with cubed ice, garnish with lemon and pear garnish
(Thanks to William Grant & Sons for providing the recipes.)
This should get us into the summer season in a good way. We need to revisit the issue at a later date and be certain we stay comfortable possessing a thirst well-quenched.
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Read Happy Hour here on www.myneworleans.com every Wednesday, and listen to The Dine, Wine and Spirits Show, hosted by Tim, every weekday, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on WGSO 990AM and streamed, as well as stored (podcast), at www.wgso.com. Also, check out Last Call, Tim’s photo-feature every month in New Orleans Magazine. Be sure to watch "Appetite for Life," hosted by Tim every Thursday evening at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m., on WLAE-TV, Channel 32 in New Orleans. Previously broadcast episodes are available for viewing at http://www.wlae.com/appetite-for-life/
