All Roads Lead to the Kitchen: King Cake

I love hearing people's new year traditions. Whether a tradition between a small family unit, or something native to a region or country, it's so fascinating to get that glimpse into what makes people tick. Growing up, we didn't really have many traditions revolving around welcoming a new year. Unless you count watching Dick Clark, counting down with the ball, and yelling "Happy New Year" as the hour changed, hugs and kisses all around. Okay, I guess that is a tradition in itself. But I'm thinking something beyond that.

A few years ago, I started with the twelve grapes at the twelve strokes of midnight thing. I always prepare five cups of twelve grapes and we try to gobble quickly as the year changes. It's a pretty fun tradition, but I don't like that it takes away from the kissing and hugging. I mean, giggles and gagging are always a good time, but I miss kisses and hugs with loved ones on the hour.

One tradition that I started myself when the kids were young is drinking mimosas all day on New Year's day. I used to pop the cork at midnight—and then I had kids. I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to enjoy a whole bottle of champagne before passing out (from exhaustion). So, I'd wait and the hubs and I would pop the cork as soon as we woke up...full bottles of orange juice (and maybe some other fun juices and additions) ready in the fridge. Don't worry (I know you were), I buy sparkling juices for the kids.

It's Fat Tuesday! I usually go the route of the Pączki (pron. POONCH-key - aka deep-fried dough filled with jelly or cream and usually dusted in powdered or granulated sugar or dipped in glaze), but this year I veered off course a bit.

I should interject and state the fact that I am not Catholic, so really the fact that I choose Pączki's today is more of a nod to the significance of Mardi Gras (which translates to Fat Tuesday) than an actual way to use up all of the richer, fattier foods in my cupboard before the season of Lent begins. A practice which I admire the cultural and religious importance of.

I thought about perhaps making a King Cake instead - which would be a first (um, almost ashamed to admit that I've never even tried one). But I've had a lot going on lately, and time has not been on my side. Cocktails, however, ARE on my side. And I figured that a cocktail with the flavors of King Cake is the next best thing. I'm also guessing that a lot of people choose to give up alcohol for Lent, so this can be a final hurrah, as well.

As it should be, these are far too easy to drink - so be careful. They're pure alcohol. Unless you count the pinch of cinnamon.

King Cake-tini {cocktail}

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Keywords: beverage alcohol vodka Mardis Gras Southern

Ingredients (1 cocktail)

4 oz. Cake Vodka
1 oz. Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec
1 oz. Irish Cream

extras:

cinnamon, for dusting
green, purple, and gold/yellow sanding sugar, for rim

Instructions

Wet the rim of a martini glass. Dip a third of the rim into each color of sugar.

Combine all three liquors in a cocktail shaker with a couple cubes of ice. Shake well and strain into prepared martini glass. Sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon over the top.

Enjoy!

slightly adapted from Food Network Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013

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Next year will be the year that I finally get my act together and plan accordingly... and actually make a batch of Pączki's. You know, so that I can cross them off "my list".

I hope.

Okay, it's official...I can't not get a Pączki on Fat Tuesday. Check out this awesome tower made of Pączki - it was even leaning a bit. Totally hilarious!