This week, we’ve got a holiday grab bag of fun. From a rescue cat rock band, to Cajun story time, to a cocktail book signing and a milk punch recipe for Santa, there’s something for almost everyone.
Meowy Christmas Performance
The Amazing Acro-Cats are in town for the holidays only until this Sunday, so be sure to get your tickets. Their December “Meowy Christmas” performances at the Allways Lounge feature feline friends performing with holiday accessories, jumping through festive wreaths and more. Plus there’s a special exclusive performance by the Rock-Cats, “the only cat band in the entire world,” who will present musical selections such as “A Cat in a Manger” and “God Rest Ye Merry Kittens.”
Cajun Christmas Story Time
This Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m., the Garden District Bookshop is celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The Cajun Night Before Christmas” with a special story time event. The event is free and open to the public, so don your best ugly Christmas sweater and stop by for some festive fun and pick up a copy of the anniversary edition to bring home or share as a gift.
Flavor Trippin’
For the home cooks and food lovers in your life, you may want to add “Turkey and the Wolf: Flavor Trippin’ in New Orleans” to your list. NPR just named this quirky cookbook one of the best books of 2022, chosen specifically by National Desk correspondent Debbie Elliot. I have already given this book to one person on my list (and bought a copy for myself.) It has a great mix of recipes from collard greens to fried bologna sandwiches, caviar topped hashbrowns and ice cream with salty potato sticks.
Cocktail Cure
For those on your list that prefer to shake up a drink rather than grill, sauté or bake, cocktail innovator, bar-owner and author Neil Bodenheimer will be on hand to sign copies of his new book “Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em from the Award-Winning Bar” at Blue Cypress Books this Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. Bodenheimer is the owner of Cure, located on Freret Street, which earned a James Beard Award for “Best Bar Program” in 2018, as well as Cane & Table, Val’s and Bellocq. The event is free and open to the public. Samples of a featured drink will be available (first come, first served, so be sure to get there early.)
Give Us S’More
The Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is quickly becoming a favorite place to visit when I’m looking for a special cocktail treat, pre-lunch or dinner at Miss River or Chemin a la Mer, or as a date night destination with a friend. On a recent visit, I was treated by the team at to a “S’mores Milk Punch” cocktail, a drink I now must add to my holiday menu tradition (and maybe even carry through to Mardi Gras.) Each glass is carefully composed and garnished with a graham cracker and mini marshmallows that are toasted bar side to perfection. Santa may even start to request these for his long Christmas Eve journey instead of the standard milk and cookies.
Here’s the recipe, courtesy of The Chandelier Bar.
S’mores Milk Punch
- 1 1/2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
- 3/4 oz. Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao
- 1 oz. heavy cream
- 1/4 oz. simple syrup
Shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass. Top with mini marshmallows and flambé. Top flambéed marshmallows with a half graham cracker and shaved nutmeg.
