Cocktail of the Week: Hail, Rex! Edition



In 1892, James Naismith published the rules for basketball, the General Electric Co. was formed and Lizzie Borden's family were murdered. That same year, the Krewe of Rex chose as its Mardi Gras parade theme "Symbolism of Colors." From this theme comes a tradition that remains strong after 114 years: the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.

Purple represents justice. Green equals faith. Gold equals power. And, well, BaT equals liquor-induced Carnival revelry, which climaxes Tuesday on Mardi Gras. While this Mardi Gras may be a little more somber post-Katrina, there's no reason for it to be sober. So wherever you are, mix up a batch of Mardi Gras Punch using the traditional Mardi Gras colors, toast the great Crescent City and wish for her speedy recovery.

Ingredients

1 ice ring
1 40 oz. bottle grape juice (more if making ice ring)
1 48 oz. can pineapple juice (more if making ice ring)
2 liter bottle of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
2 oranges
2 limes
1 fifth vodka (optional)

Instructions

For the ice ring: Freeze an ice ring by filling a ring mold 3/4 full of juices and put it in the freezer for a few hours. When frozen, unmold and keep frozen in a plastic bag until ready to use. An ice ring is not required. Regular ice will work, but it could water down the punch.

For the punch: Slice oranges and limes in thin round slices. Set aside. Place ice ring in bottom of punch bowl, add juices, then soda and (if desired) vodka. Float orange and limes slices on top and serve. Makes eight to nine quarts. If you choose to make this nonalcoholic, simply add more grape juice to provide more flavor.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!