Mardi Gras kicks off officially on March 4th, and if you can’t be on Bourbon Street, at least serve up some bourbon cocktails to celebrate.
Mardi Gras has been an honored holiday in the city of New Orleans since the 1720s, but this year, if you can’t celebrate in New Orleans or on Bourbon Street, be sure to do yourself a favor and mix up a handcrafted bourbon cocktail.
The Basil Hayden’s Cajun Sazerac marries the authentic Cajun flavors of New Orleans with the trademark, spicy finish of Basil Hayden’s Bourbon to create a modern twist on the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac. If you prefer a sweeter taste, the Knob Creek Bourbon Street Nightmare combines the robust flavor of Knob Creek with orange juice in a classic hurricane glass.
Basil Hayden’s® Cajun Sazerac
Created by Brittini Rae Peterson (Los Angeles)
2 parts Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon
1/2 part Cajun Spice Syrup*
5 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 dashes Angostura® Bitters
Lemon Zest
Sprig of Thyme
Method:
1. Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until well chilled and strain into a cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with the zest of a lemon a sprig of thyme.
*Cajun Spice Syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup Water
1 cup Sugar
1 tbsp. Cajun Spice
Method:
1. Combine all three ingredients in a saucepan and warm.
2. Stir until sugar and Cajun Spice are fully dissolved into the water.
3. Strain into an empty container and set aside.
Knob Creek® Bourbon Street Nightmare
3 parts Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
3 parts orange juice
½ part blood orange syrup
Method:
1. Place all ingredients in a Hurricane glass over ice, mix well. Drizzle blood orange syrup over top.
2. Garnish with a black licorice stick.
