Mardi Gras in a Glass

Easy cocktails with Big New Orleans Fun

With Mardi Gras right around the corner, Fat Tuesday will be filled with the consumption of decadent food and thirst quenching beverages. Like many others if you will be partaking in the festivities locally, Colleen Mullaney, entertaining maven and author of It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere, is giving you a taste of New Orleans with two easy to do cocktails. A night all about music, food, and friends, these recipes are the perfect way to celebrate the New Orleans tradition.

Voodoo

Serves 4

* 8 oz./237ml Finlandia Mango Vodka
* 8 oz./237ml mango nectar
* 8 lime wedges, plus 4 more for garnish
* 12 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
* Soda

Muddle the mint and the lime wedges in a cocktail shaker. Add the mango nectar and vodka and allow a few minutes for the flavors to marry. Put 4 ice cubes in each glass. Strain mixture into glasses. Top with soda, garnish with mint and lime wedges and serve.

Whiskey Smash

Serves 4

* 8 oz./237ml Jim Beam bourbon
* 4 mint leaves
* Half a lemon, quartered
* 1 oz./30ml simple syrup
* Sprig of mint

Combine all ingredients except bourbon in a large glass. Using a wooden spoon, smash the ingredients together. Add whiskey and transfer to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, strain into glasses filled with crushed ice and garnish each with a sprig of mint.

In addition to, Mullaney touts to fully embrace the celebration by throwing on some colorful beads while sipping on these Mardi Gras inspired cocktails. Photos of the above recipes are available upon request.

About the Author: Colleen Mullaney is an entertaining maven and author of It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, has crafted savory drinks that will satisfy your palate and help you discover so of the most amazing places on the planet.