Spirited Virginia Q1 2022 - 19

Moon Pie Cocktail
Tip your hat to Mardi Gras traditions in
Mobile, where Moon Pies are traditional
parade throws, by re-creating the sweet
treat in cocktail form.
▷ 2 OZ. CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR,
CHILLED
▷ 4 OZ. MILK OR HALF AND HALF,
CHILLED
▷ 2 OZ. CRÈME DE BANANA
LIQUEUR, CHILLED
▷ CHOCOLATE SHAVINGS FOR
GARNISH
Combine first three ingredients in a
cocktail shaker without ice. Shake.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with chocolate shavings.
are served on Fat Tuesday in many
countries that observe Lent. Traditions
in observing Pancake Day include events
and traditions like pancake suppers,
festivals, games and pancake races.
TOASTING WITH MARDI GRAS
SPIRITS
The biggest party in New Orleans may be
on Fat Tuesday, but the city knows how to
throw down all year long. As proof, several
favorite cocktails had their beginnings in the
Big Easy, as did drive-thru Daiquiri shops.
NOLA-created cocktails make it easy to
stock your Mardi Gras party with classics.
Or you can simply stock your bar with
drinks that you and your guests enjoy. As
long as you're celebrating, you'll capture
the spirit of Mardi Gras!
Sazerac
From New Orleans & Company visitors bureau
The city's musical roots reflect the
cultures of Africa, France, Cuba and
parts of Europe. Genres include brass
band music, jazz, rhythm and blues and
zydeco. To re-create the atmosphere of
Mardi Gras, you'll want energetic, upbeat
songs that boost the spirits and keep the
party fresh.
Use a service such as Spotify for readymade
playlists, or make your own. Look
for artists like Dr. John, the Rebirth Brass
Band, Kermit Ruffins, the Dirty Dozen
Brass Band, Allen Toussaint, Preservation
Hall Jazz Band, Fats Domino, Trombone
Shorty, Bobby Charles, Buckwheat
Zydeco, The Neville Brothers, Wynton
Marsalis and many others.
SERVING FOODS THAT REFLECT
THE TRADITIONS
Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday. It
didn't get that name simply for hosting the
feast before the fast. Since Lent traditionally
required abstaining from all animal products,
people wanted to use up all their animal
products: meat, milk, eggs, butter-and
fat. The perfect party foods, then, include
meat, milk, eggs, butter and fat (not a feast
by vegan standards!) or simply Louisiana
favorites.
Your Fat Tuesday feast can include:
* Traditional Cajun and Creole dishes
such as jambalaya, gumbo, étouffée and
dirty rice.
* A king cake. Available during Carnival
season, from Jan. 6 to Mardi Gras, this
traditional cake has a small plastic baby
hidden in it, honoring baby Jesus and the
three magi-kings-who visited soon
after his birth. In a fun twist, whoever
gets the baby hosts the next party, is
king for the day and purchases the next
king cake. Like a combination of coffee
cake and cinnamon roll, a king cake is
iced, decorated with yellow, green and
purple sprinkles, and is packed with
fruit filling or cream cheese. Plenty of
Louisiana bakeries will ship these holiday
specialties, or you can make one yourself.
* Pancakes and waffles are made with
butter, milk and eggs, thus clearing
the kitchen of these animal products.
Pancakes, waffles and variations thereof
Antoine Peychaud mixed the first Sazerac in
his New Orleans pharmacy in 1838. Or maybe
credit goes to Thomas Handy, an 1870s saloon
owner. The ingredients have changed up over
time, but the drink's popularity remains.
▷ 1 CUBE SUGAR
▷ 1½ OZ. SAZERAC RYE WHISKEY OR
BUFFALO TRACE BOURBON
▷ ¼ OZ. HERBSAINT [OR PERNOD ANISE
OR ABSINTHE]
▷ 3 DASHES PEYCHAUD'S BITTERS
▷ LEMON PEEL
Pack an old-fashioned rocks glass with
ice. In a second old-fashioned glass,
place the sugar cube and add the
Peychaud's Bitters, then crush the sugar
cube. Add the Sazerac Rye Whiskey
or Buffalo Trace Bourbon to the glass
with the Peychaud's Bitters and sugar.
Remove the ice from the first glass
and rinse the glass with the Herbsaint
(discarding the remainder). Empty the
whiskey, bitters and sugar mixture from
the second glass into the first glass and
garnish with lemon peel.
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2022 19
Spirited Virginia Q1 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirited Virginia Q1 2022
