Willy Wonka-Inspired Cocktails: Make Them at Home

All photos by Laine Doss

The sign says it all...

Tales of the Cocktail, the five-day long spirits convention in New Orleans, is underway. Clean Plate Charlie is on site, sacrificing liver and brain cells in an effort to keep you informed of the latest trends in the art of mixology. The event, which features spirited dinners, seminars, and tasting rooms, kicked off yesterday, July 25, at the Hotel Monteleone in the city's French Quarter.

This already vibrant city is buzzing with both brand ambassadors, bartenders, and thirsty fans of a good drink. We spent the afternoon perusing the tasting rooms, which change daily. Imaging our delight when we discovered that Angostura Rum went with a Willy Wonka theme!

Chocolate fountains and free candy were great, but as the sign reads....candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker! 

Did some talented Oompa Loompa create these whimsical libations? Actually Angostura's senior mixologist, Travis Tidwell was the creative mind behind these cocktails. In case you missed the event, we're sharing the recipes so you can bring a bit of New Orleans home with you -- Wonka style!

Take your fill from the candy bar. We had some candy buttons and a few Warheads!

The Snozberries Taste Like Snozberries

2 oz. Angostura Reserva rum
1/2 oz.lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
2 small pieces of candied ginger
1 oz. strawberry/raspberry puree (that equals a snozberry)

Mixologist Tidwell passed the snozberry puree through a strainer, then poured the snozberry juice into a soda siphon to carbonate it. You can just mix the ingredients in a shaker and serve over ice. Garnish with the candied ginger.

Everlasting Gobstopper

2 oz. Angostura 1919 rum
3/4 oz. lemondrop basil syrup
2 oz. ginger beer

Build in a tall Collins glass over ice.

Make the lemondrop basil syrup by muddling a few fresh basil leaves, then add simple syrup and fresh lemon juice to taste. Store the unused syrup in the refrigerator.

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