From the AP via WTOP News:
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A proposal to honor the New Orleans cocktail known as the Sazerac has gone down the drain.
The Louisiana Senate on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made the whiskey-based beverage the official state cocktail.
Senator Ed Murray (D-New Orleans) introduced the bill, because he said the drink was known all over the world. But Senator Buddy Shaw (R-Shreveport) disagreed that Louisiana should have a state drink.
"Is there a possibility that we could be encouraging folks, who were not intending to drink, that it would be acceptable and they could become an alcoholic?" Shaw asked.
"No," Murray replied.
Shreveport is in north Louisiana.
Senator Murray is correct. This AP story has been picked up by news agencies all over the world.
UPDATE: Here's the recipe, if you'd like to make your own Sazerac. From my dear friend:
Dennis said...
INGREDIENTS:
* 3 oz rye whiskey
* 3/4 oz simple syrup
* Peychaud bitters to taste
* absinthe or absinthe substitute
* lemon twist for garnish
PREPARATION:
1. Chill an old-fashioned glass by filling it with ice and letting it sit while preparing the rest of the drink.
2. In a separate mixing glass, muddle the simple syrup and Peychaud bitters together.
3. Add the rye whiskey and ice to the bitters mixture and stir.
4. Discard the ice in the chilled glass and rinse it with absinthe (or substitute) by pouring a small amount into the glass, swirling it around and discarding the liquid.
5. Fill the rinsed glass with crushed ice.
6. Strain the whiskey mixture from the mixing glass into the old fashioned glass.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist. Traditionalists will say that the lemon twist should be squeezed over the drink to release its essences but that the twist should not be dropped into the glass itself.
Buddy Shaw's area is in very Republican Southeast Shreveport, the home of Billy McCormack, who with Pat Robertson created the Christian Coalition.
ReplyDeleteI will say that Dr Shaw is an honorable man, but please!
It seems that puritanism is alive and well and living in Shreveport.
ReplyDeleteLet's all have a Sazerac, then... Make it the Official Drink of the FOM (Friends of Mimi).
ReplyDeleteMimi, please accept my condolences.
ReplyDeleteBut Senator Buddy Shaw (R-Shreveport) disagreed that Louisiana should have a state drink.
ReplyDelete"Is there a possibility that we could be encouraging folks, who were not intending to drink, that it would be acceptable and they could become an alcoholic?" Shaw asked.
Odd that a Republican advocates greater government. Methinks it's a Christian nanny thing.
Jim, my Loosiana man, did this one hurt you? I hope not. If so, I'm sorry. I know some lovely folks from north Loosiana. But you must admit that there is the great divide between the north and the south. For what it's worth, Grandpère says Loosiana. He grew up in New Roads.
ReplyDeleteRR, well, parts of Shreveport, anyway. Jim up there is a new blog friend from north Louisiana, and he is definitely not a Puritan.
Jane, done! SAZERAC - OFFICIAL DRINK OF FOM!
Paul, thanks, love.
RR, some areas in Louisiana still have Sunday blue laws, but not many in the southern part of the state.
It's pure foolishness to think that having a state drink will drive some folks to alcoholism, who would not otherwise go there.
You're right about the divide, Mimi, it does exist, but not to the extent that it once did. Dr Shaw is a Baptist, which explains that.
ReplyDeleteOf course, South Louisiana has contributed some winners too - David Vitter, Tony Perkins . .
I'm gonna duck and run now!
Jim, touché. Yes, family values man, Vitter, is our very own southern pride and joy. As for Tony Perkins, well, what can I say? I have no words.
ReplyDeleteComment tidbits.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope at least someone has a recipe for this forbidden fruit: Sazerac. How else am I gonna know what to buy?
I grew up in that country, state borders notwithstanding, so I am appreciative/ appalled.
Lightnin Hopkins says "Loosiana" on "Mojo Hand", which to me carries weight.
Johnieb, folks quarrel over the ingredients of the Sazerac cocktail. Read my first Sazerac post and get some ideas.
ReplyDeleteINGREDIENTS:
ReplyDelete* 3 oz rye whiskey
* 3/4 oz simple syrup
* Peychaud bitters to taste
* absinthe or absinthe substitute
* lemon twist for garnish
PREPARATION:
1. Chill an old-fashioned glass by filling it with ice and letting it sit while preparing the rest of the drink.
2. In a separate mixing glass, muddle the simple syrup and Peychaud bitters together.
3. Add the rye whiskey and ice to the bitters mixture and stir.
4. Discard the ice in the chilled glass and rinse it with absinthe (or substitute) by pouring a small amount into the glass, swirling it around and discarding the liquid.
5. Fill the rinsed glass with crushed ice.
6. Strain the whiskey mixture from the mixing glass into the old fashioned glass.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist. Traditionalists will say that the lemon twist should be squeezed over the drink to release its essences but that the twist should not be dropped into the glass itself.
An "official state cocktail"? Only in the USA!
ReplyDeleteWhat would the Yorkshire county cocktail be, I wonder?
The Googlie (a term used in cricket): Two parts industrial alcohol and one part methadone.
Dennis, love, thanks so much. There's nothing like being thorough.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, DP! That Yorkshire cocktail could lay you flat right quick.
ReplyDeleteOnly in the USA!
Probably only in Louisiana. It's the only state where it would even be given consideration.
There's just no good government anymore. This is a disgrace. Have a sazerac anyway Grandmère Mimi.
ReplyDeleteLindy, we could set up an official Sazerac cocktail hour in our little slice of territory in the blogosphere.
ReplyDelete