Inspiration: With the never-ending winter that just won’t let go and glum skies that keep dumping piles of snow on us, I sometimes find it really hard not to get into a funk at this time of year. But do you know what helps (and I bet you do, if you’re a regular reader here…)? Making Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day a focus! With a pot of jambalaya, a nice cold Hurricane, and season two of Dexter (how good is that show?) ready to go, how could we not be happy? Here’s one last Friday-approved Mardi Gras recipe before we roll on into St. Patrick’s Day – which is way, way up there in my list of favorite days of the year. But more about that next week :)

What we Loved: These drinks are so fruity and refreshing. They’re very much summer in a glass, which is a nice break from this dreary March! They’re the kind of cocktails that you can sip down way too easily – aka, the best kind. :) When we make cocktails like this, we always try to use as much fresh fruit as possible – it makes such a difference in flavor versus using store-bought mixes or juices, which always taste fake and stale. That said, these had that wonderful and bright fresh fruit flavor, combined with the sweet grenadine and some nice underlying caramel/nut notes from the rum. And look at that color! I don’t think there’s a more appealing color for a drink, do you?

Helpful Hints: For reference, one large orange and two small limes gave me just enough juice to make two of the drinks as listed below. Also, these most decidely do not fit into a lower carb lifestyle – but we consider them a treat. I might try these again when cherries are in season and replace the grenadine (pretty much pure sugar) with pureed cherries – but that might leave a little to be desired in the sweetness category, I’m not sure. Regardless, we like to drink a lot, so we do make alcohol our main treat in life (though we usually stick to our main loves – beer and wine!). Now, the question is – does it still count as a treat if we have it every day? ;)

Hurricane
Source: Adapted from Emeril Lagasse

1.5 oz (1 shot) light rum
1.5 oz (1 shot) dark rum
1.5 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz grenadine
Maraschino cherries and lime slices to garnish

1. Add all of the ingredients to a tulip or hurricane glass and stir. Add ice cubes and a straw. Garnish with maraschino cherries and lime slices.