‘Palm Royale’ puts Grasshopper, Mississippi Punch back in delightful rotation
A new Apple+ series about 1960s West Palm Beach high society aims to impact modern cocktail culture in similar fashion as “Mad Men.”
I ordered my first Grasshopper several years ago at a swanky Chicago rum lounge called Sparrow. With crème de menthe serving as the base for its minty green flavor and hue, the throwback tipple tastes more like dessert than other nightcaps. The frothy delight, in fact, feels like a boozy milkshake going down—and that’s not a bad thing at all.
The Grasshopper is my go-to cocktail every time I visit Sparrow. I need only one, and I’m satisfied. A drink this fun, layered with decadent ingredients (also cream, crème de cacao), of course, originated in New Orleans. Creole eatery Tujague's, which first opened its door in 1856, gets credit for its development. I wish I would have known this sooner because I certainly would have checked it out when I was in the Crescent City last summer.
But it’s cool because I always get my fix at Sparrow. Each time I go, I convince my pals to order one, too, and people sitting near us look curiously at our table and order them as well. As far as I’ve seen, everyone who tries the Grasshopper loves it.
That’s why I was so excited when Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons (Kristen Wiig) made it known immediately that the Grasshopper was her signature cocktail of choice in the opening scene of new Apple+ series “Palm Royale.” I haven’t seen a character with such a definitive drink since the first episode of “Mad Men” when Don Draper (Jon Hamm) ordered an Old Fashioned [Incidentally, Wiig and Hamm were f*ck buddies in “Bridesmaids.”]
Why Maxine loves Grasshoppers so much isn’t clear; nevertheless, what is clear is that there are many parallels between the two shows. For one, they’re both set in the 1960s with vibrant backdrops and glamorous attire on everyone. Even though “Mad Men” was set in New York and “Palm Royale” in West Palm Beach, both appear to focus on endless parties with cocktails playing a major role. And there’s an exclusive “club” at the center of both shows: “Mad Man” spotlights affluent, all-white male advertising executives, while the bodacious women of “Palm Royale” lunch at their private clubhouse while plotting to one up each other with the soirée of the season.
“Mad Men” inspired a classic cocktail resurgence, which took a serious hit during the Covid-19 pandemic. I’m thinking that the influence of “Palm Royale” just might be the reason to get folks excited again.
“Palm Royale” and its approach to cocktail culture also feels like it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It makes consumers feel as though anyone may be able to enjoy some fun libations, which should not feel intimidating when ordering at the bar.
I’m only through the third episode, yet already there have been mentions and sightings of the Mai Tai, Gin Rickey and something called Mississippi Punch. That’s one I’ve never heard of before!
Regardless, let’s have fun experiences again as the weather gets warmer. Whether you’re behind the stick or sitting at the bar, everyone should be primed for a good time.
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Looks delicious! ❤️