Mardi Gras is back in New Orleans this year and if you are not taking to the streets to celebrate, then Ketel One Vodka  and Zacapa Rum have cocktails for you. Home to over a dozen cocktail creations, New Orleans is also known for perfecting some of the classics, like The French 75. For a twist on the gin and champagne serve, swap in vodka and try your hand at a Ketel One Dutch 75 or Ketel One Botanical 75.

Award-winning bartender and Zacapa Rum’s Mixologist, Lynnette Marrero, also took inspiration from New Orleans’ famed favorites and has created the below King Cake Daiquiri just for the occasion.

Ketel One Vodka – Dutch 75

• 1.25 oz. Ketel One Citroen® Flavored Vodka
• 0.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup
• 0.75 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine

METHOD: Combine Ketel One Citroen, lemon juice and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Ketel One Botanical – Botanical 75

• 1 ½ ounces KOB Cucumber + Mint
• ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 1/2 ounces Brut Sparkling Wine

METHOD: Combine the Ketel One Botanical, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice in an ice filled shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Next, strain the mix into a champagne flute. Top it off with the sparkling one. Garnish each glass with a cucumber slice and enjoy.

King Cake Daiquiri by Lynnette Marrero

• 1.5 oz Zacapa rum
• .5 Oz orgeat
• .75 oz lime juice
• 1 dash grated cinnamon

METHOD: Take a coupe or martini glass using a cut lime, moisten the rim of the glass and dip it in purple, green and yellow sugar to decorate the glass in Mardi Gras colors. In a shaker, add grated cinnamon, orgeat, lime, then Zacapa rum. Add ice and shake and strain into cocktail glass.