My family and I were away last weekend with a few other families at the Stratton Mountain Resort and it was “Marchdi Gras,” a much tamer version of the New Orleans festivities! Sure there were bands and beads, but it was pretty kid friendly with clowns and stilt walkers and free samples of crawfish on ice, snacks and much more.
![St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After) St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/46/466798/st-patricks-day-mardi-gras-and-a-fresh-mornin-L-vgz2xA.jpeg)
One thing we did come across, courtesy of Food & Wine, totally surprised me: Mercy!
![St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After) St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/46/466798/st-patricks-day-mardi-gras-and-a-fresh-mornin-L-II7UMk.jpeg)
![St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After) St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/46/466798/st-patricks-day-mardi-gras-and-a-fresh-mornin-L-FAqIav.jpeg)
Ironically, they gave out a recipe card with the cans of Mercy for a drink called the Fountain of Youth, an “anti-aging, anti-inflammatory gin based spa cocktail made with fresh cucumbers, a medley of mild bitters, white cranberry juice, and a splash of fresh Egyptian lime.” In the spirit of St. Patrick's day it’s got a little green, so maybe it’s worth a try?
1.5 oz. Hendricks Gin 3 oz white cranberry juice 3 drops PIMMS NO1 Splash of fresh lime juice 3 cucumber slices Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker glass (not too much, just pound down on them 5-8 times.) Add all other ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a Japanese cucumber flower.