Photo by Sam Hanna
Mardi Gras is a time of celebration, with music, parades, and, traditionally, eating lots of rich foods. All of this makes it a great time to raise a festive cocktail, like the King's Cup, created by Brett Moore, assistant manager at Tujague's in New Orleans.
“At Tujague’s, there are so many bourbon drinkers that we wanted to come up with a way to use bourbon in our carnival-inspired cocktails,” he explains. His play on a Blackberry Bramble swaps out gin for the brown spirit. “It’s a perfectly balanced cocktail with sweetness from the blackberries, tart and tangy flavor from the lemon, and a smooth and comforting warmth from the bourbon,” he says.
As a bonus, it's excellent whether you live in New Orleans or a town where snow continues to pile up. “The bourbon is perfect for comfort if it's chilly outside, while the freshness of the fruit keeps you refreshed, especially if it's a warmer carnival season,” Moore says. It also appeals to your eyes, because the blackberry naturally dyes the drink purple, a color symbolic of the holiday.
King's Cup
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 1 oz. blackberry syrup (recipe below)
- 1/2 oz. Giffard Crème de Mûre (or other blackberry liqueur)
- 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
- Lemon peel, lime peel, and blackberry for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake thoroughly for 12 to 15 seconds. Strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with lemon peel, lime peel, and blackberry on a skewer.
Blackberry Syrup
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
Add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat to let cool, then strain. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
