Mardi Gras is a great night to try one of New Orleans’ three classic cocktails: a Sazerac, a Ramos Gin Fizz, or a Vieux Carré (pronounced locally as voh care-eh).

Sazerac
1 splash of absinthe
½ tsp. simple syrup
2 oz. rye whiskey
2 dashes Peychaud bitters
1 lemon twist
Place absinthe in a well-chilled old-fashioned glass and swirl it around, coating the inside of the glass. Discard the excess. Build the other ingredients in the glass. Note: a Sazerac takes little to no ice.

Ramos or New Orleans Fizz
2 oz. gin
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. lemon juice
2 tsp. sugar
½ oz. cream
1 egg white
2 dashes fleurs d’orange (orange flower water)
club soda
Pour all ingredients except club soda into a shaker filled with ice and shake eighty times or until your arms ache. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with club soda. Note: If you cannot find orange flower water, substitute for ½ teaspoon of triple sec or, failing that, 3 drops of vanilla extract.

Vieux Carré
¾ oz. rye
¾ oz. cognac
¾ oz. sweet vermouth
1 dash Peychaud bitters
1 dash Angostura bitters
½ tsp. Bénédictine liqueur
1 cherry for garnish
Combine all ingredients except cherry in a mixing glass or shaker filled with ice and stir well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice and garnish with cherry.

I wish all Drinkers with the Saints a bon Mardi Gras!