Louisiana Citrus and the Land of Cocktails
Mar 12th, 2008 by Nola
Yesterday, I drove out to get satsumas for Christy over at Misplaced Southern Belle. I ended up at DeWitt’s Fruit and Vegetable Shed on River Road (this stand has been at this location for over 50 years). I have driven past it many, many times and never stopped. So, thanks, Christy, for giving me an excuse to visit this NOLA stronghold.
Unfortunately for Christy, the clerk informed me that satsuma season ended two weeks ago. Well, damn. So the clerk sold me on some Louisiana seedless oranges instead. It was that or navel oranges and he assured me the seedless ones were sweeter. So I got two sacs of oranges (five oranges per sac), and some bananas and pears and one avocado for Sun. I ate one of the oranges after dinner and was surprised to find, yes, you guessed it, SEEDS. CS explained that “seedless” doesn’t mean “without seeds” it means “less seeds.” What kind of marketing is THAT?
I also made a trip to the bookstore to buy, “In the Land of Cocktails: Recipes and Adventures from the Cocktail Chicks.”
Except all I could remember was it was called something about drinking in New Orleans and something something “Chicks.” Pete had sent me this article from The Times-Picayune on the book on Monday. I was sold after reading that the Chicks (cousins Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan of the famous restaurant Brennan family) do not use the word “hangover” but rather the more civilized expression of “the vapors,” and they gave the advice never to mix grapes with grain.
As I approached the information desk at the book store, I overheard an older woman asking about a brand new book on mixology. I knew we were on the same hunt. She couldn’t remember the name of the book either (although she at least remembered the authors names). So as the clerk walked us both to the NOLA section of the bookstore, I mumbled to the woman, “We’re something, huh? Between the two of us we know it’s a book on booze with the word “chicks” in the title!” She responded to me in a heavy southern accent, “Oh, no. Ti and I have known each utha fawevah. I have comp’ny comin’ and I whant to get a few copies faw mah frienz.”
We arrived at the table and the clerk pointed to the book. I picked it up as the woman said, “That’s not it” (she didn’t see the “Chicks” part in the title). I recognized the cover from looking at it online, and, seeing the short stack of books, I wasn’t going to lose getting one for this woman’s “frienz.” Being polite, however, I assured her it was the right book. She finally saw that, in fact, it was and grabbed the rest in the stack.
I then went to a coffeehouse to meet Penelope and CS. As I waited for them, I flipped through the book. Straight away, I was hooked. Here’s their dedication:
For bartenders everywhere who care about well-made cocktails.
We also want to dedicate this book to our beloved city of New Orleans. New Orleanians have shown a courage and resilience even we did not know existed beneath your head-strong joie de vivre. We wouldn’t trade being of and from New Orleans for any other location on earth. This one is for you.
And if that’s not enough for you (and it was for me!), this book offers so much. It’s got a good look (the illustrations are done by Tim Trapolin), it celebrates New Orleans living, and, best of all, it gives recipes so you can properly mix for yourself (and friends) such famous drinks as the Sazerac, an Old-Fashioned, a Sidecar, and even a Grasshopper (and oh so many more cocktails). No vodka and tonics in this book. Heck, the book even offers a cure for “the vapors.”
So buy a copy of the book and get your shakers and swizzle sticks out and start mixing. And remember to raise a glass and toast New Orleans!
Stumble it!
Oh I am going to have to check it out!! I am going to hit up the bookstore tonight so this is perfect timing!!
Well, I’m all for cocktails! It’s almost 10:00 AM here, I don’t suppose that’s to early for one.
The fruit stand made me downright jealous. I am so sick of cold, snow, and gray skies!! Soak up some warmth for me, would ya?
Sounds like the ladies were trying to say, “Suck it, Ohio!,” but are too cultured for such vulgarisms. Sazerac!
we have a copy of that book and i love it! we had something out of it just the other night. (i’d tell you what it was but i forget. must be the vapors….)
*puts it on my list*
And I went to her blog and now I’m starving. For bread. *lol*
Phill brought me some blood oranges from DeWitt’s last week. I had also wanted satsumas. Oh well, the blood oranges are superb. Also for us, the cocktail book is well timed. We’ve been wanting to get one since we moved here. I’ll have to pop around the corner to get the book. I’m sure the Garden District book store has some.
I love the way its called a “fruit and vegetable ’shed’ “.
so will there be a cocktail party following the purchase of the cocktail book?
Momo Fali, 10am is not too early. Here is my rule of thumb. If you had your morning coffee then it is ok to move on to the next round!
Goodness! Those fruits and veggies look yummy! What a lovely dedication
That would have sold me too.
I read the Times Pic article as well and sent it on to my Grandmother…she is cut from the same cloth and I knew she’d love the book. Now I think I’ll order myself a copy. Or two.
Ok, now I can’t wait for those oranges.
I love seeing all that stands in Louisiana when I get to come home. Nothing like a mess of peas from a roadside stand.
I will have to hit Barnes and Noble on the way home… a good southern lady must know how to prepare a proper cocktail.
Have added it to my ever growing amazon wishlist!
A booze book that I can justify as a cultural purchase? That’s my kind of book! This post SO made me yearn for a drink.
I found your site via Christy’s. I will have to check out that book. Two weeks ago I bought Gumbo Tales at the Kitchen Witch on Toulouse. Makes me want to order a bunch of LA cookbooks and experiment. I had my first oyster po-boy two weeks ago and I’ve been been craving more. Also, she has a nice chapter about St. Joseph’s altars.
I am totally going to get that book…sounds like a blast to read and have around for guests. I always see that little stand on River Rd but have yet to shop there, but I know I will sooner rather than later!
clearly you sold me w/cocktails in the title. lmao @ “the vapors.” takes me back to my southern roots! (found you via momisodes)
Seedless. I can’t get past that fact. How silly.
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oh, I think this is just the book to get me out of the winter doldrums….I can practice cocktails for the summer season on the front porch. Thanks for sharing
love the photo of the fruit stand, and really enjoyed your story of your day. Enjoy the book…and the drinks.
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