Wednesday, February 3, 2021

The Creole Cocktail

The Creole Cocktail

Get your Mardi Gras on with this tantalizing tongue tingler

This time of year, our thoughts head towards New Orleans – home of Dixieland jazz and some of the best food in the US. Not to mention Mardi Gras.

Of course, St. Louis (where we live) also has a pretty rambunctious Mardi Gras celebration – probably second only to the more famous one in New Orleans. Not this year, though. COVID is seeing to that.

So we’ll celebrate at home, sipping a Creole Cocktail. Heck, we’re talking Mardi Gras – let’s make that two. 

The Creole Cocktail

Recipe: The Creole Cocktail

The Creole Cocktail contains whiskey, sweet vermouth, Amer Picon, and Bénédictine. So it’s a variation on the classic Manhattan Cocktail. The whiskey can be either bourbon or rye.  We tend to prefer rye in cocktails, but bourbon works well in this one.

Amer Picon, a French liqueur, was a popular ingredient in cocktails at the beginning of the 20th century. It stopped being produced for a while, though, and so fell out of favor. It’s still hard to find, but some good substitutes are available. We discuss several in our post on the Brooklyn Cocktail. Our preference is Bigallet China-China Amer, but there are other good choices.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare and serves 1.

Ingredients

  • 1½ ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
  • ¾ ounce sweet (red) vermouth
  • ¼ ounce Amer Picon or substitute (see headnote)
  • ¼ ounce Bénédictine liqueur
  • garnish of lemon twist or peel (optional; see Notes)    

Procedure

  1. Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a mixing glass half filled with ice. Stir briskly for about 30 seconds, until the contents are well chilled.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass (preferably one that has been chilled). Add garnish, if desired, and serve. 

The Creole Cocktail

Notes

  • Why stir rather than shake? Because all the ingredients in this cocktail are clear. Shaking creates tiny oxygen bubbles that can cloud the drink. 
  • But we often shake anyway. So do as you prefer (the bubbles dissipate after a few minutes).
  • A lemon twist is the traditional garnish for this drink. But we think an orange twist works well, too. 
  • Having said that: We don’t think this cocktail benefits much from garnish. The bitter orange flavor of the Amer Picon (or substitute) and the spicy herbal honey of the Bénédictine add plenty of fragrant notes (which is what we’d generally expect garnish to provide). So garnish is very optional.
  • There actually have been several drinks called the Creole Cocktail. One developed in Chicago contained equal parts of absinthe and sweet vermouth. And Henry Ramos of New Orleans developed a version that contained whiskey, curaçao, bitters, and sugar (you might know Ramos from his most famous drink, the Ramos Gin Fizz). 
  • The drink that’s served today may derive from a recipe that Hugo Ensslin published in his 1916 Recipes for Mixed Drinks. Harry Craddock, in his 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, published a recipe (similar to Ensslin’s) that became the “standard” for years: Equal parts whiskey and sweet vermouth, with a couple dashes each of Amer Picon and Bénédictine.
  • Our recipe calls for 2 parts whiskey to 1 part sweet vermouth. And we increase the amount of Amer Picon and Bénédictine to ¼ ounce each. We think this ratio better reflects modern tastes (and more closely matches the Manhattan Cocktail, of which this drink is a variant).
  • But this is a cocktail that you can alter to suit your taste. So feel free to experiment.

The Creole Cocktail

Let the Good Times Wait

“Where are my Mardi Gras beads?” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “This drink makes me want to party.”

“The Creole Cocktail would be such a great drink to serve before dinner with friends,” I said. “When we can see friends again.”

“Can’t wait until our number comes up in the vaccine queue,” said Mrs K R.

“Same here,” I said. “But I’m afraid the wait is going to be longer than we expected.”

“Bummer. But we’ll just have to be patient,” said Mrs K R. “Can’t throw a party until we get our shots.”

Right. Because we’re responsible parties. 

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58 comments:

Debra Eliotseats said...

Always love to read your extensive cocktail knowledge! Yes, we all can't wait to party (responsibly) again. Be safe and well!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, we enjoy any kind of research, and there's so much to learn about cocktails! Plus when you're finished, you get to drink your research. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

Your cocktails are out of this world. Thank you and Prost !

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, Prost! And thanks for the comment. :-)

Sippity Sup said...

"Let the Good Times Wait". That's clever, but this cocktail means we can celebrate at home. Thanks. I'll put the effort into finding that liqueur! I usually say you can find anything in LA. This quest will be a test. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, Amer Picon (or a substitute) is worth seeking out. In LA Torani Amer should be real easy to find, although I've read its flavor isn't quite right (can't get it here, so have never actually tasted it). We really like the Bigallet China-China Amer. Thanks for the comment.

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

John, we remember Mardi Gras celebrations in St. Louis well! This well made (and well-researched) cocktail sounds like a nice celebratory alternative this year. Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, this is such a great drink -- terrific flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Family Spice said...

I always learn something new from you. My husband is a whiskey fan so I will have to pass this recipe on to him. Cheers!

Angie's Recipes said...

You make the BEST cocktails! This looks so amazing.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, bet your husband will like this! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, it IS amazing! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Rye whiskey is my favorite! It looks and sounds tasty.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, rye has delightful flavor, doesn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Let the good times roll! We are with you. Just signed up for the vaccine at any place that would let me. Just hope it is before September!

Anne in the kitchen said...

Love your cocktail recipes. I
Heck, I don't even need a party__ a hot dog dinner with just a few people would be enough to satisfy my social needs right now!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, we're signed up every place we know of, too. Can't wait to get it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, a hot dog dinner would do us, too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

Gorgeous cocktail! I'm planning to make a king cake for the first time ever this year. I'd love one of these to go with it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, this would be great with a king cake. Or anything. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Yes, it would be nice to have a Mardi Gras party. We have some friends that we get together with every year for one and this would be a great cocktail to serve and enjoy. Unfortunately, last year and this year are no-nos. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that 2022 is party time!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, got 2022's party on the calendar already. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sherry's Pickings said...

oh wow this looks spectacular KR! great photos and a hefty drink - and i love bourbon. Apparently the vaccines are rolling out here at the end of this month. Hubby being disabled is definitely going to have it, and i think i will too. Still can't believe the idiot anti-vaxxers with their conspiracy theories... take care!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, we're eagerly awaiting vaccine! Don't know when we'll get it -- technically we're in the group that's currently eligible to receive it now, but that's a big group. We know some people who've been lucky enough to get it, but not many. Fingers crossed! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Perfect timing for Mardi Gras! Love the cocktail, and the story behind it. I’m glad you mentioned the Ramos gin fizz, as that is one of Marks favorite drinks. I tried making them at home with little success, but had one when in New Orleans and it was fantastic. Also, I like your vaccine better at the end. Gotta love responsible parties! (I was fortunate enough to get my first dose yesterday so that I can safely be on campus.)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, glad to hear you got your first does of the vaccine! Exciting news. :-) We'll all be getting it eventually -- just need to be patient. The Ramos Gin Fizz is a hard drink to make. It requires a LOT of shaking. Never had one in New Orleans -- definitely something I need to experience. Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats said...

You need to host a photography class for taking epic photos of drinks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, we've actually thought about doing a post about cocktail photography against white and black backgrounds. It's a somewhat fiddly process, but lots of fun. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Easyfoodsmith said...

We don't drink but I always love reading your posts on cocktails and also how you always make them look stunning.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, the neat thing about cocktails is even if you don't drink, they're usually fun to look at. And often have interesting histories. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Valentina said...

Your cocktails always intrigue me. And while I want this "tongue tingler", what I really want today is a bowl of your Senate Bean Soup. It's chilly here in LA (well, for LA, anyway), and it sounds so comforting. :-) ~Valentina

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

I've always wanted to see what a Mardi Gras party was like! This looks amazing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, that's really good soup! And we're going to get snow this weekend, so we'll need both that and this cocktail to comfort us. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, they're fun! Particularly with one of these in hand. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Hi John! I actually second that motion on a post outlining cocktail photography. You have nailed the process down to a science. I think this post would be long so you could split into a 3 part session or something like this...give it some thought. BTW, I love this drink!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, I've been thinking about this for quite a while. Maybe this summer, when we're doing our summer sippin' series might be an appropriate time. And it'd be at least two posts -- it's an easy process (in theory!) but there's a lot of stuff to keep in mind. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Balvinder said...

Not quite a fan of whiskey but I think this is a good one for guests.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Balvinder, your guest will love it! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Natalia said...

Looks so pretty!

Katerina | Once a Foodie said...

Mardi Gras or no Mardi Gras, this sounds like one amazing drink! I love the colour, John, and glad to see another use for Amer Picon. I've never used Bénédictine liqueur before so had to Google it but it also sounds delicious.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, doesn't this look nice? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Katerina, Bénédictine has marvelous flavor, and we've used it in several cocktails in the past. Pretty good to drink all by itself as an after dinner liqueur. :-) Thanks for the comment.

New Classic r said...

Fabulous looking cocktail. May. have to have one this Tuesday.

R's Rue said...

Delish

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi New Classic, you'll definitely want this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi R, yup! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

That looks as pretty as a Mardi Gras float! Ah, we might not have parades this year; but at least we can have a great cocktail. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, I'll drink to that! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Frank said...

Well, if you had enough of these, at least it would *feel* like Mardi Gras... lol! Seriously though, this is a beautiful cocktail. I love all the flavors and that deep amber color.

Eva Taylor said...

Ah, the vaccine. We are one of the lower countries in the count to vaccinate, which blows my mind! Trudeau bought from so many sources. Our friends in Arizona have already been vaccinated and will get their second does in two weeks! It’s very frustrating here.
This cocktail looks celebratory indeed. When is Mardi Gras? Will definitely participate with food this year.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, :-) The color on this is nice, isn't it? And better flavor than color! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, vaccinations are pretty spotty in the US. Some states are doing a pretty good job. Ours isn't, alas. :-( But we'll get it eventually -- we've gotten good at being patient. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

I agree that drink makes me want to party, never been to a Mardi Gras, hopefully when this COVID ends I would be able to do so.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, Mardi Gras is always a fun time. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

We have to take our celebrations how we can get them these days. This strong and flavorful drink sounds like a good way to get the non-party started.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, drinking one of these makes any occasion a party! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I'm a Manhattan fan, so I'd be eager to give this Creole cocktail a try!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, this is really a nice drink -- think you'll like. We'll have another Manhattan variant coming in March. :-) Thanks for the comment.