Episode 19 - Mardi Gras! Cocktails of New Orleans

In this episode the Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure take a trip down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras! 
Not literally mind you, but alcoholically.

They also discuss the pronunciation of New Orleans, Drunk History, Science of Cocktails, Cliff Notes and Coles Notes, and Fred recites poetry and reveals that he was attacked by a crow while wearing a feathered Mardi Gras mask.  We also incorrectly say that Canada never had Prohibition.  Actually, we had a national prohibition from 1918-1920.  Outside of those years, the Provinces could decide for themselves whether or not alcohol was legal.  For example, alcohol was illegal in Prince Edward Island from 1901-1948!

Anyway, on with the cocktails.  Fred brought to our attention a neat book called “Shaking Up Prohibition in New Orleans.  Authentic Vintage Cocktails from A to Z” by Olive Leonhardt & Hilda Phelps Hammond.  The book is edited by Olive’s grandson Gay Leonhardt who discovered the manuscript and drawings amongst his grandmother’s stuff.  Olive and Hilda were friends back in the early part of the 20th century and decided to compile a book of cocktails with pictures and verse during Prohibition in New Orleans.  The book was finally published in 2015 and we have chosen two to fill your Mardi Gras dance card.  The first is called “Tst-Tst” and the second is the “Zingaro”.  A note at the bottom of the page informs us that a zingaro is a gypsy.  Let’s get mixin’!


Tst -Tst
-from Shaking Up Prohibition in New Orleans, Louisiana State University Press, 2015.
1930-ish

1/4 Pineapple Juice  (1 ounce)
1/2 Gin  (2 ounces)
1/4 Italian Vermouth  (1 ounce)
few drops of Apricot Brandy

We shook it with ice and strained it into a cocktail glass.

Tst-tst! Lookin' for a drink? Step in here!

Zingaro
-from Shaking Up Prohibition in New Orleans, Louisiana State University Press, 2015.
1930-ish

1/3 Port Wine  (1 ounce)
2/3 Gin  (2 ounces)
2 Dashes Orange Bitters

We shook it with ice and strained it into a cocktail glass.

Port and Gin? Why not?

Wow!  Two very unique cocktails.  Listen to the show then try them yourself.  Let us know if you think the same as we do.  Keep in mind that both Dave and Jason are getting over colds.  Happy Drinking!