CHERRY DIAMOND (RAMOS) FIZZ

Let me make this very plain, I LOVE RAMOS FIZZES!! I like them for brunch, I like them for happy hour, I like them whenever I can get them. The Ramos Gin Fizz has almost become my signature cocktail I do it so often, mostly it's my Golden Ramos Fizz because people love it and I always have some kind of orange fruit in the house. But I do it the normal way and with other flavors as well, usually whatever fruit I have handy.
Originally the Ramos was called a New Orleans Fizz and it was created by Henry C. Ramos at his bar in Meyer’s restaurant in New Orleans in 1888. Aside from the sadly abused Pat O'Brien Hurricane, it is probably the most recognized Mardi Gras-NOLA-Fat Tuesday drink. Yes, the Sazerac as well, but it's more of a cocktail aficionado drink, not so much for the masses. But for me, the Ramos reigns on Fat Tuesday.
Of course, with today being Mardi Gras, you had to know I was going to do another adaptation/cocktail riff on the Ramos Fizz. If you didn't know that, you haven't been reading this blog enough and shame on you! I decide a little extra celabratory ingredients were called for and brought in some cherries and bubbly, maybe crossing close to the French 75 line. So, what did I do this time to another classic? Look no further:
The CHERRY DIAMOND FIZZ
INGREDIENTS: 2 Oz. Hendrick's Gin 1.5 Oz. Fresh Lemon Juice 6 Fresh (or frozen) Cherries 1 Oz. Cream 1  Egg white (or 2 tbsp. pasteurized) 1 Tablespoon Homemade Cherry Syrup Chilled Dry Champagne 3 Drops Orange Flower Water Chilled Dry Champagne  Ice
Garnish: Orange Twist, Bordeaux Cherry
Glass: Collins
Tools: Blender, Cocktail Shaker
DIRECTIONS: Combine all the liquid ingredients except the ice in a blender and dry blend for a minute to emulsify the egg white and aerate the cocktail. Transfer this to an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously to chill. Pour into the chilled Collins glass, top off with Champagne, garnish and serve.
Just remember, when I say "throw me something, mister" I'm not talking beads, I'm talking slide me a down Ramos! Laissez les bon temps (and the Ramos Fizzes) rouler.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY