The True Story of Mardi Gras and Storm of the Century Hurricane

The true story of Mardi Gras is difficult to accurately pinpoint.  However, it is believed that the tradition started in Ancient Rome.  During this time, a group of ancient Romans sailed around the Mediterranean on a ship called the Mayflower in search of beads and booze.  They were guided by Lupercus, the god of fertility and king cake.  Lupercus would appear to them at night.  Lupercus always flashed his moobs at the Roman sailors. The sailors responded by throwing their beads at him in an attempt to make Lupercus stop.  This is why they were searching for more beads…the search for booze needs no explanation.   The throwing of the beads always saddened Lupercus, so he never told the sailors how to get to the land of more beads and booze.  It was a vicious cycle and the cycle continued until the Catholic Church got involved.  They needed the Mayflower to carry communion wafers to Saigon, so the seized the boat.  The Romans tell this different and say they Lent the boat to the church, but whatever. When Lupercus appeared to the Pope and flashed his moobs, the Pope was horrified.  He ordered a mafia style hit on Lupercus.  Lupercus was ultimately shot on Saint Valentine’s Day.  His dying gesture was to flash his moobs one last time as he quietly whispered “laissez les bon temp rouler.”

Now that you know the true story, it is time for a proper Fat Tuesday cocktail!

Storm of the Century Hurricane (www.allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

1 cup of ice

1 oz light rum         

1 oz dark rum

1 oz coconut rum

1 oz vodka

1 oz gin

1 oz Chambord

1 oz triple sec

3 oz orange juice

Orange slice

Maraschino cherry

Preparation

Fill a hurricane glass with ice.  Add light rum, dark rum, coconut rum, vodka, gin, Chambord, triple sec and orange juice.  Shake gently and garnish with orange slice and cherry.  Drink up!