So I came across a drink recipe that looked festive and sounded delicious in the Jan/Feb 2013 food network magazine…….which I thought might be tasty for a Valentine cocktail, even though it was written as a Mardi Gras drink. Down the hill I went to get the ingredients (ok, I admit I was headed to the grocery store too, it wasn’t something I HAD to have right this second!). Anyway, as I was picking up the ingredients I was thinking how “pretty” the drink would look when we film this week and I couldn’t wait for Paul to mix it up. The drink is called Parade Time Cocktail, which comes from Carousel Bar & Lounge at the historic Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The key ingredient is a new (introduced last year) vodka called Lucky Player King Cake Vodka, available online at crownwineandspirits.com and costs $40 for 75 ml…or you can use vanilla-flavored vodka and almond extract, which is what we tried.
Here’s the recipe….
Parade Time Cocktail (Makes 1 drink)
Green, purple and gold sanding sugar for the glass ( I used red for Valentines)
2 ounces Lucky Player King Cake Vodka (or use 2 ounces vanilla-flavored vodka plus 2 drops almond extract)
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce Baileys Irish Cream
Ground cinnamon, for dusting
Directions:
Put a small pile each of green, purple and gold sanding sugar on a plate, keeping them separate. Moisten the rim of a martini glass, then press part of the rim into each colored sugar.
Combine the vodka, Grand Marnier and Baileys in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into the prepared glass. Dust with cinnamon.
Sounds good doesn’t it? Well, I don’t know if it’s because we didn’t use the Lucky Player vodka but the drink was AWFUL! It looked good, smelled good but…The first sip took our breath away. I don’t usually drink vodka but I have had vodka based drinks that didn’t burn the whole way down. This was STRONG and sweet. I looked at Paul and saw him grimacing as the drink hit his throat and his taste buds started rebelling.
“Do you like it?” I gasped? I should have known though as I watched him head to the sink to pour the drink out. “Maybe the second sip tastes better” I told him. Nope. Now I can be as adventurous as the next person (unless it involves heights) but a third sip was not going to happen. I too poured my drink out and then went and gargled. And took a Tums. We are now enjoying a glass of red wine, which still hasn’t helped rid my memory of those couple of sips.
If you think the drink sounds good and make it, we’d love to hear if you think it tastes good….or if you’ve ever sampled the Lucky Player King Cake Vodka? …..
I know everyone has different tastes in food and drink so you may like this. Personally, I feel like I’ve saved you some time and money by taste-testing this and saying, “NOT”.