February 12th marks an early Mardi Gras this year, and Spec’s is ready to help you celebrate! From luscious libation mixers to great glassware for these traditional Mardi Gras mixed drinks, Spec’s has everything you need to toast to Fat Tuesday!
Sazerac
Although there is some variation between recipes for this quintessential Mardi Gras cocktail, the use of a rocks glass rinsed with absinthe or Herbsaint is essential to the flavor of the drink – and stirring instead of shaking keeps the concoction from clouding!
1 sugar cube or ½ tsp sugar
A few drops of water, to muddle the sugar
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 dash Angostura bitters
Absinthe, Herbsaint, or Pernod to coat the inside of a rocks glass
2 oz rye whiskey
lemon peel twist
Chill a rocks glass with ice.
In a separate glass, muddle the sugar cube/sugar until dissolved. Add the bitters, rye, and a few ice cubes, then stir until blended thoroughly.
Discard the ice from the rocks glass, then coat the inside of the glass with the absinthe, rolling it around to cover the entire inside surface.
Strain the drink into the rocks glass, then rub the lemon rind around the edge of the glass and twist on the edge. Some prefer to discard the peel, some add it into the drink – the choice is yours!
Hurricane
Like the Sazerac, variations abound on this sweet sipper. Don’t let the bright color fool you – this fruit-flavored libation packs a punch!
2 oz light rum
2 oz dark rum
1 oz orange or unsweetened pineapple juice
juice of ½ lime
1 tbsp simple syrup
1 tbsp grenadine
dash of Angostura bitters
orange slice and maraschino cherry, for garnish
Fill a hurricane or tall cocktail glass with ice. Add all ingredients except the garnish to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into hurricane glass and garnish with orange slice and cherry.
