Happy Hour Fat Tuesday: Hurricane

It’s a special edition of Happy Hour Friday!  I really should have posted this last Friday, but I was actually recovering from some of the Mardi Gras festivities in N’Awlins.  {That’s how we pronounce New Orleans around these parts where I’m from}  

Spicehubby and I went down to the Crescent City last week for a little biz and frivolity.  We met up with some friends and went to 3 parades:  Babylon, Chaos and the extravagant Muses.  So. Much. FUN!    {Maybe a little too much fun…..}

We even had a friend riding in the Chaos parade, and he was extremely generous with his throws.  If you’ve never experienced a Mardi Gras parade (whether in NOLA or anywhere else) this is a MUST for your bucket list.  Truly.  The costumes, the floats, the marching bands and all the throws (from beads to doubloons to toys) make for such a rollicking good time that you have to experience it to believe it.  And if you’ve never heard of the Muses parade, then you don’t know that they throw shoes!  Yes, SHOES!  Gorgeous, shiney, decorated shoes.  I caught two–which is something I’m quite proud of.  Not everyone is lucky enough to catch even one!

That’s me with one of my prized catches–a Muses shoe!

The first float in the Muses parade is a giant stiletto!  LOL

This wicked little guy was on the front of one of the Chaos floats.

Masked revelers on every float….

At this point, no parade would be complete without the 610 Stompers.  Love these guys!  LOL

Even a few lighted butterflies float by…..

As I said, So. Much. Fun!

The next day, we took a little time to wander around the French Quarter.  As we neared the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon St, there was a large crowd gathered to watch the annual “Greasing of the Poles.”  LOL  It’s a tradition that began many years ago to keep the street revelers from climbing up the iron poles to the second and third story balconies.  Today it’s a hilarious, if a little bawdy, tradition that includes celebrities and local authorities.

This year, Camryn Manheim participated as one of the 4 “greasers.”  I believe she won first place for all her antics around that pole!

After all the excitement in NOLA, we met up with more friends in Lafayette.  A wonderful dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and then a formal ball at the Cajun Dome.  It was magical.  Beautiful dresses everywhere.  A glamorous royal court.  A rocking live band.  And maybe some dancing…. 

We made it home in time for our local festivities on Sunday, and I have been trying to catch up ever since.

So, where was I?  Oh, yes.  The Hurricane……

• 2 oz light rum
• 2 oz dark rum
• 2 oz passion fruit juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• juice of a half a lime
• 1 Tbsp simple syrup
• 1 Tbsp grenadine

Mix together in a large shaker with ice.  Shake well, strain, and serve over ice in a tall glass.  Garnish with cherry and orange wedge.

Now, we still have 6 hours to live it up!  Happy Mardi Gras!  Laissez les bons temps rouler!  {Let the good times roll!}

 

I should also mention that in the midst of all of the above during the past week, I’ve been obsessed with The Hunger Games trilogy!  Obsessed!  I’ve made it thru two books and am trying to take a couple of days before starting the final one.  If you haven’t already, read these books.  They are fantastic!