Mardi Gras Cocktails on Great Day KC Mardi Gras is here and it's time to rise to the occasion with craft cocktails! Our very own Richard Boyer joined the Great Day KC team to create two refreshingly festive drinks. Read the backstory of these cocktails and get the recipes below: The Vieux Carré was created by bartender Walter Bergeron at New Orleans' legendary Carousel Bar in the 1930s. The name is French for “old square,” and refers to the city's famous French Quarter. Vieux Carré3/4oz Cognac (Hennessy VSOP) 3/4oz Rye Whiskey (Union Horse Rye)3/4oz Sweet Vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula)1/4oz Benedictine 1 dash Peychaud's Bitters1 dash Angostura Bitters Combine all ingredients in mixing cup. Stir with ice. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass, garnish with lemon peel. The Pimm's Cup was created in London in the 1840s, but found a new home in New Orleans at the Napoleon House in the 1940s. The base of this drink is Pimm's, lemon juice, and ginger beer. Use these as a foundation and experiment with other ingredients and garnishes to suit your taste. Pimm's Cup2oz Pimm's No. 11oz Lemon Juice1/2oz Simple Syrup1 Strawberry Sliced2-3 Cucumber Slices2-3 Slices Blood OrangeMint Sprig2oz Cock and Bull Ginger Beer2oz Soda Water Combine all ingredients except ginger beer and soda water in a mixing cup with ice. Lightly shake and pour into a highball or wine glass. Top with ginger beer and soda water, garnish with mint sprig. You can celebrate Mardi Gras with live jazz in the Chaz Lounge featuring Jenna Bauer Dou on Tuesday, March 1 from 6-10pm. Watch the full segment here.
