Q:A Reader Ask’s, What’s the deal with Mardi Gras?

A: Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is the final day of Carnival, but incorrectly Mardi Gras has come to include the weeks proceeding Fat Tuesday as well. The most famous US Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans with many others held around Louisiana, the Gulf States, Europe and Latin America with huge celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Venice, Italy.

The New Orleans celebration date from the early 1700’s when the city as the capital of French North America. Skirting the law for many years, Mardi Gras was made a state holiday by Louisiana in 1875. Each year since organizations known as “Krewes” put on parades through the streets of New Orleans in the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Each parade is unique an one of those “one in lifetime experiences”. If you haven’t been to the French Quarter in February, put it on the calendar.

Everything you need to know. Mardi Gras 101

Cocktails of New Orleans …
NOLA Martinis …

We’ve added a few new features to Drink of the Week.

1. We’ve added a ratings widget for each drink recipe where you will be able to rate the drink and leave a review
here’s an example: Black Punch
2. A new Q & A section where anyone can ask or answer a cocktail question
3. New Drink Sharing feature - this will allow me to get everything on the site faster
4. Video - bartending how-to’s, celebrity bartenders and all around drinking mayhem. Explore the world of of drinking videos wit us!

Let us know what you think!

Cheers

The Barkeep

Jan writes in

“I received a bottle of Limoncello recently as a gift. How do I serve this? Are there any special drinks that I can make with this?”

Well, I like it best served ice cold (I keep a bottle in the Freezer) in a shot or cocktail glass. Sip accordingly. It is also very nice served with a small bit of lemon sorbet and a shot of vodka.

It is a terrific lemony addition to an icy cold martini.

For something a bit more adventurous try the Besitos an intriguing mix of Tequila, Vodka and Limoncello.

more cocktail Q & A …

This is an often asked question with a simple answer.

Here’s what to do

Combine:

1 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Water

in a heavy pan on low heat. Stir to with wooden spoon until all the sugar is dissolved. Run the spoon around the edge of the pan to keep the sugar from crystallizing. Next, bring the mixture to a boil for 3 - 5 minutes, scoop of any accumulated scum and remove from the heat. Let cool and pour in to a clean squeeze bottle. You can keep this in the fridge for a month.

This has become quite an issue, but I don’t see it. Mostly I see it as a benefit for those who seek the nutritional information for the liquor they drink. We get many questions here about the calories, carbs and make up of all sorts of spirits, so why not list this info on the label? Make consumers who care happy, the one who don’t care won’t even notice the change.

read more | digg story

Hi Barkeep, is it customary to charge extra when someone orders a “tall” cocktail. I always thought that a tall meant more mix, not more alcohol, so what’s with the extra $? Greed?

Signed,
Broke Alcoholic

A: This seems to cause quite a bit of confusion and I cannot find a good definition. I have a feeling this varies from bartender to bartender as to what they think a “tall drink” is. Best, to let the barkeep know what you are looking for in a tall drink. It may seem less cool, but you won’t be surprised at what you get.

Cheers!
The Barkeep

Going a cruise and wondering if you can sneak a bottle of Vodka on board. Well think again. All of the major cruise lines have a “No Sneaking Booze on Board” policy. Many will allow you to bring a few bottles aboard that you may enjoy with dinner (with a corkage fee of $10 - $25). Only Norwegian Coastal Voyages will let you bring whatever you want on board as long as you consume it in your cabin. The majority also hold your duty free purchases until the last night of the cruise.

Here’s the break down by largest cruise lines

Carnival Cruises
What you can bring - Wine & Champagne (corkage $10)

Celebrity Cruises
What you can bring - Wine (corkage $25)

Costa Cruises
What you can bring - Wine (corkage $10)

Cunard Line
What you can bring - Wine & Champagne (corkage $15)

Holland America Line
What you can bring - Wine & Champagne (corkage $15)

MSC Cruises
What you can bring - Nothing (not even Nyquil)

Norwegian Cruise Line
What you can bring - Nothing, but you may drink wine purchased on port calls for a corkage $15. They will also go through your luggage looking for contraband booze. They return anything that is confiscated on the last night of the cruise. I guess they figure that you have spent enough on their drinks during the cruise, so on the last night - What the Heck!

Norwegian Coastal Cruises
What you can bring - Anything that is legal as long as you drink in your cabin.

Princess Cruises
What you can bring - Wine & Champagne (corkage $15)

Silver Cruises
What you can bring - No need. This high-end line is all inclusive. State rooms are stocked with vodka, whisky, wine and champagne.

I guess the moral of this story either go high end, cruise only in Norwegian Waters, or suck it up and buy your drinks on board.

(via)