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A La Louisiane Drink recipe

Martini glass

Mix up a classic A La Louisiane cocktail with this easy recipe! With the perfect balance of Whisky Rye, Benedictine, Vermouth, Absinthe, and Bitters Peychaud, this drink is a must-try for any beginning bartender. Don't forget to garnish with a cherry and serve in a Martini glass for that extra touch of sophistication. Impress your guests and become a pro with just a metal straw or teaspoon to stir properly, or even better, use a bar spoon. Cheers to a delicious and classy cocktail!


A La Louisiane Ingredients

A La Louisiane Equipment

  • kitchen strainer - dispose of fruit pieces
  • metal straw or teaspoon to stir properly, if you want to be a pro: use bar spoon

A La Louisiane Recipe

  1. fill a shaker half full with ice cubes so you can properly chill ingredients
  2. shake till perfectly chilled
  3. strain into martini glass without ice

Recommend: serve in Martini glass

The A La Louisiane Cocktail: A Classic with a Twist

As a professional bartender, I have come across numerous cocktail recipes throughout my career. However, there are some that stand out from the rest, and one of them is the A La Louisiane cocktail. This drink has a rich history, a unique appearance, and a distinct flavor that makes it a favorite among many cocktail enthusiasts. In this blog post, I will share with you everything you need to know about this classic cocktail, including its popularity, ingredients, garnishing techniques, variations, and common mistakes to avoid.

Popularity

The A La Louisiane cocktail has been around for over a century, and its origins can be traced back to the city of New Orleans. It was first created by Walter Bergeron, the head bartender at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, in the early 1900s. The drink was named after the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis in 1904, which celebrated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase.

The A La Louisiane cocktail is famous for its unique blend of rye whiskey, Benedictine, vermouth, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters. These ingredients come together to create a complex yet well-balanced flavor profile that has made this cocktail a favorite among many cocktail enthusiasts. The drink is typically garnished with a cherry, which adds a pop of color to its reddish-brown hue.

Ingredient Roles

Each ingredient in the A La Louisiane cocktail plays a vital role in creating its distinctive flavor. Rye whiskey is the base spirit and provides the drink with its robust, spicy character. Benedictine is a sweet herbal liqueur that adds depth and complexity to the cocktail. Vermouth is a fortified wine that contributes to the drink's dryness and adds a touch of bitterness. Absinthe is a green anise-flavored spirit that gives the cocktail its signature licorice flavor. Peychaud's bitters are a blend of herbs and spices that add a dash of complexity to the drink and help balance out its sweetness.

How to Garnish

Garnishing a cocktail is an art form that can make or break its appearance. When it comes to the A La Louisiane cocktail, a simple cherry is all you need to add a touch of elegance to the drink. Simply drop a cherry into the glass before serving, and you're good to go. If you want to take your presentation to the next level, you can use a metal straw or teaspoon to stir the drink instead of a regular spoon. For a more professional touch, use a bar spoon to mix the ingredients properly.

Variations

The A La Louisiane cocktail is a classic cocktail that can be customized to suit different preferences. Here are some variations you can try:

Virgin/Mocktail Version

To make a non-alcoholic version of the A La Louisiane cocktail, simply substitute the rye whiskey and absinthe with ginger beer and soda water, respectively. The other ingredients remain the same.

Gluten-Free Version

To make a gluten-free version of the A La Louisiane cocktail, make sure to use gluten-free rye whiskey and vermouth. Some popular brands include Tito's Handmade Vodka and Ciroc vodka.

Vegan Version

To make a vegan version of the A La Louisiane cocktail, make sure that the ingredients you use are vegan-friendly. For example, some brands of Benedictine use honey as a sweetener, but you can find vegan-friendly alternatives that use agave nectar instead.

Keto Version

To make a keto-friendly version of the A La Louisiane cocktail, use a sugar-free sweetener instead of Benedictine, and replace the vermouth with dry white wine or dry sherry.

Low-Calorie Version

To make a low-calorie version of the A La Louisiane cocktail, use a low-calorie sweetener instead of Benedictine, and replace the vermouth with dry vermouth or a dry white wine.

Common Mistakes When Making

As with any cocktail, there are some common mistakes to avoid when making the A La Louisiane cocktail. Here are some of them:

Not Using the Right Equipment

To make the perfect A La Louisiane cocktail, you need the right equipment. Make sure to use a kitchen strainer to dispose of fruit pieces and a bar spoon to mix the ingredients properly.

Not Measuring the Ingredients Correctly

The A La Louisiane cocktail is a delicate balance of flavors, and measuring the ingredients correctly is crucial. Use a jigger or measuring cup to ensure that you're adding the right amount of each ingredient.

Not Using Fresh Ingredients

Using fresh ingredients is essential to creating a delicious A La Louisiane cocktail. Make sure to use fresh cherries and Peychaud's bitters, as stale or expired ingredients can ruin the flavor of the drink.

In conclusion, the A La Louisiane cocktail is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time. Its unique flavor profile and elegant appearance make it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned bartender or a novice mixologist, the A La Louisiane cocktail is a must-try drink that is sure to impress. So, grab your shaker, measure your ingredients, and enjoy this classic cocktail with a twist!

If you are going to order A La Louisiane in a bar, don’t forget to mention all the ingredients to the bartender. A La Louisiane can be served with different ingredients in different places.