5 for Friday - August 10

K^td jy5%$Dikks. Or for those of you who do not speak the international language of "drunk," I wish you a Happy Friday from the balmy and decadent Crescent City.  I am in the middle of the long-awaited Author After Dark conference, and frankly, I have no idea what is happening in book news this week. But I can talk to you about booze.  So today, I share with you my Top 5 Can't Miss Drinks When You Visit New Orleans.

5. Sazerac.

It got its name from the Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans. The recipe varies a little but here's a common version:

• 3 oz rye whiskey
• 3/4 oz simple syrup (or sugar cube)
• Peychaud bitters to taste
• absinthe or absinthe substitute
• lemon twist for garnish

4. The Vieux Carre

Another whiskey drink, though a little different:

• .75 oz Rye whiskey
• .75 oz Cognac
• .75 oz Noilly Prat Rouge Vermouth
• 1 tsp Bénédictine
• 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

3. Ramos Fizz 

 It's also called the New Orleans Fizz. The more it is shaken, the better:

• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1 1/4 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz milk, half & half or cream
• 1 small egg white
• 2 dashes fleurs d'orange (orange flower water)
• club soda

2. Mint Julep
A Southern classic.

• leaves from 4-5 mint sprigs
• 2 sugar cubes or 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 1/2 oz bourbon
• mint sprig for garnish

1. Hand Grenade

You must have one of these while you are here.  A few will knock you on your ass.  You can find them all over Bourbon Street, but the best place to buy is Tropical Isle:

• 1 Part Gin 
• 1 Part Grain Alcohol 
• 1 Part Melon liqueur 
• 1 Part Rum 
• 1 Part Vodka

Did I run out of numbers before I got to a Hurricane??  Let's pretend like I didn't.

Of all the things you cannot skip on a trip to New Orleans, a Pat O'Briens Hurricane is on the list up there with Cafe Du Monde beignets and Red Beans & Rice.

• 2 oz light rum
• 2 oz dark rum
• 2 oz passion fruit juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• juice of a half a lime
• 1 Tbsp simple syrup
• 1 Tbsp grenadine
• orange slice and cherry for garnish

They are tasty, but powerful!!

Hope your weekend is fantastic. And if you can't visit NOLA, try one of these drinks at home and you can pretend like you're here!

XOXO,
Jen