Mardi Gras

Whenever I think of Mardi Gras, I think NOLA jazz bands, bright masks and crowns, beads, and Bourbon.  Some festive inspiration, whatever your Mardi Gras plans are, enjoy!

{Top Row: Cupcakes, Invite; Second Row: Black & White Mask,  Colorful Mask, Mask Centerpiece,  Place Setting; Third Row: Jazz Player, King's Cake, Fleur-de-Lis Centerpiece}

Some Fat Tuesday beverages to get you started! 

The NOLA Hurricane
2 ounces light rum
2 ounces dark rum
2 ounces passion fruit juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce grenadine
orange slice and cherries for garnish
In a mixing glass with ice, combine all ingredients save for orange and cherry. Shake and strain into a proper Hurricane glass filled with ice -- or a pint glass, if you must. (This is a lot of booze, folks, and it's not going to fit in your Collins glass.) Garnish with orange and cherry; sip with a straw. 

{photo via Chicago Tribune}

The Burobun Slush
Ingredients:
1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 cups strong brewed black tea
2 cups bourbon whiskey
1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
Directions:
In a large bowl or container, mix together the orange juice concentrate, lemon concentrate, pineapple juice, sugar, tea, and whiskey. Transfer to shallow bowls or dishes, and freeze overnight.
Remove the frozen mixture from the freezer and let stand for about 10 minutes. Chop with a wire whisk or potato masher to make a slushy consistency. Place scoops of the frozen slush into glasses, and top off with the lemon-lime flavored soda.

{photo via here}

  Proceed the rest of your Tuesday with caution.