Wake-up Call

The LSU pennants and the employee T-shirts emblazoned with giant crawfish and the slogan "Just Suck It" make it clear that you have crossed the Sabine River, at least in spirit, when you enter the new Ragin Cajun[3600 Westheimer, (832)251-7171] in the Woodlake Square shopping center. This location has a full bar with two frozen-drink dispensers; given all the ingredients around him, bartender Jodie Rodriquez is just like a kid with a new chemistry set. The White Russian-flavored "Cajun Daiquiri" was recently on special for $3. It was served in an authentic Louisiana white Styrofoam cup, and it tasted like frozen café au lait, which didn't exactly complement my gumbo. There was a sign at the bar that said, "Why not start your day with a Cajun Bloody Mary?" But this coffee-flavored daiquiri would make an even better breakfast drink.

Ragin Cajun DaiquiriA daiquiri is supposed to have rum in it. But just as Texans call almost every frozen drink a margarita, our brethren across the bayou call them all daiquiris. That's okay. We may have invented the margarita machine in Texas, but Louisiana invented the drive-through daiquiri stand, so our two states stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to frozen-drink innovation.

1 shot vodka
1 shot Kahlúa
2 shots half-and-half
1 cup coffee ice cream
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in the blender and process until slushy. Serve in a white Styrofoam "geaux cup" or one of those plastic cups they throw at Mardi Gras. Makes one large cocktail.