Creative Distilling in New Orleans

By now, everyone has heard about the combination of Gin and Juice. But how about Gin and Watermelon Juice? Like all great ideas, it seems stunningly obvious when you first hear it. The immediate reaction: Why didn’t I think of that?

The Summertime Monkey includes Euphrosine Gin #9, simple syrup, St. Germain, and fresh house-made watermelon juice. Served in a rocks glass with a cucumber slice garnish, it’s a refreshing summer drink that’s most welcome during these hottest days of the year.

Summertime Monkey at Copper Monkey Grill

The man behind this seasonally appropriate creation is Paul Bechtel, bartender at Copper Monkey Grill, 725 Conti St. in the French Quarter. Paul’s approach is one of refinement through simplicity. “People try to overdo everything. Keep it simple and make it good. Euphrosine Gin doesn’t need a whole lot added; it’s got such a good flavor on its own.” We couldn’t agree more!

Paul Bechtel with the Summertime Monkey

Ready to participate in Euphrosine Season? Send us your review of the Summertime Monkey and you’re halfway to claiming your Euphrosine Season Founding Member T-Shirt! See our Euphrosine Season page for additional details.

Check out more Euphrosine Season drinks from Brennan’s, Bayona, and more, on our Euphrosine Season page. Coming next: a look at our Euphrosine Season T-shirts!

Recently launched restaurant concept Mizado Cocina is located on the edge of Mid-City, near the border between New Orleans and Metairie. Their culinary base begins with Mexican cuisine, but brings influence and ingredients from other sources far and near. Bartender Billy Perkins joyfully embraces this idea of fusion with creative and flavorful cocktail mixing.

Baya Collins at Mizado Cocina

The Baya Collins begins with the idea of the classic Tom Collins, but playfully expands the flavor palette. Baya is the Spanish word for “berry” and Baya Collins lives up to this name with a core flavor of delicious raspberries. The mixing begins with muddled raspberries; then Euphrosine Gin #9 and agave nectar are added. This mixture is shaken slowly with ice to blend the flavors. Then prickly pear puree is added, along with a squirt of soda water. A few more raspberries are added on top for the finish.

Billy Perkins with the Baya Collins

Bartender Billy Perkins is enthusiastic about Euphrosine Gin #9. In addition to the Baya Collins, he created another drink featuring Euphrosine Gin #9 called Original Fusion. We’ll be featuring Original Fusion in an upcoming Euphrosine Season story.

Ready to participate in Euphrosine Season? Send us your review of the Baya Collins and you’re halfway to claiming your Euphrosine Season Founding Member T-Shirt! See our Euphrosine Season page for additional details.

Coming next: Summertime Monkey from Copper Monkey Grill.

A trio of visitors this weekend had a story that was so delicious we had to share it.

A post-Katrina move to Mid-City resulted in an off-hand remark from a relative. “Oh, I know where that is, it’s near Euphrosine Street!” The street name struck a chord, and over time, it became somewhat of a catchphrase.

Did you make the groceries today? No? What the Euphrosine!

As a euphemism, it worked so well that it was used in many different forms and variations. So imagine the excitement that ensued when Debbie spotted a bottle bearing this favorite word at her workplace. We’ve got to check this out, they said; and indeed they did, coming around to the Liquor Studio at the intersection of Euphrosine and Broad Street.

We enjoyed a great visit with Debbie, JoAnn, and Laura and look forward to seeing them again. What the Euphrosine!

At Ralph’s on the Park, steps from City Park, the bar offers splendid views that deserve a sophisticated and delicious drink to accompany them. Bartender Tito Thomas rises to the occasion with the Mid-City Prankster, a Negroni variation.

The Prankster includes Euphrosine Gin #9, Casoni 1814, Pineau de Charentes dessert wine, and a generously sized orange wedge. The drink has an appealing orange color that goes perfectly with the garnish.

The Mid-City Prankster reposes on the piano at Ralph’s on the Park

You might be wondering about the name of this drink. Rest assured that it has a solid basis in fact. While your correspondent was photographing the drink and gathering the essential details on it, Tania Hahn, a “Ralph’s regular” took an interest in the proceedings and jumped into the shot.

Placing herself before a piano in the corner, she attempted to to prank your correspondent with the fiction that she was playing the piano, when in fact it’s a player piano. A quick glance over the keyboard revealed the truth and an uproarious time was had by all.

Tania Hahn, the namesake of the Mid-City Prankster, poses in front of the drink at Ralph’s on the Park

Ready to participate in Euphrosine Season? Send us your review of the Mid-City Prankster and you’re halfway to claiming your Euphrosine Season Founding Member T-Shirt! See our Euphrosine Season page for additional details.

Coming next: Baya Collins from Mizada Cocina.