Hi all… happy Saturday and happy March 1st! Spring is just around the corner, and after the snowy winter we’ve been having, it can’t come soon enough!
I hope you’ve been enjoying the New Orleans travel guides I’ve been posting recently. In my latest one, I shared all my favourite restaurants and cafés in the city. NOLA is world-renowned for its culinary scene: not only is it home to some of the oldest and most iconic restaurants in America; it’s also the birthplace of several famous dishes, from Bananas Foster to Oysters Rockefeller. Well, the same can be said for its cocktail scene! Not only can you find some of America’s most legendary and historic bars right here in Crescent City, but many a classic cocktail was invented here: the Sazerac, Hurricane, Grasshopper and Ramos Gin Fizz, just to name a few. And today, I’m excited to share my favourites with you!
Don’t imbibe? Don’t stop reading yet! Many of these bars have fabulous non-alcoholic options, including zero-proof versions of their signature bevvies (e.g. Pat O’Brien’s makes a great alcohol-free Hurricane!) My friend Sandra doesn’t drink, and there were plenty of options for her at all of these places. And many of these bars are so historic and iconic that the buildings themselves are the main attractions – so think of this not as a boozy bucket list, but a living history lesson! Whether they were invented here or not, there are just some quintessential NOLA cocktails that are so legendary, a trip to The Big Easy wouldn’t be complete without trying them.
So without further ado, I present my list of Fantastic New Orleans Cocktails… And Where To Find Them!
The Hurricane – Pat O’Brien’s
A tiki bar staple, this sweet sipper was invented in New Orleans in the 1940s, and over 80 years later, it’s still one of the city’s most popular cocktails. The Hurricane consists of a single liquor: rum (and lots of it!) mixed with passionfruit syrup, orange juice, lime juice and grenadine. It’s served in – naturally – a hurricane glass (the tall, curvy glass was named after the hurricane lanterns it resembled) and garnished with an orange slice and cherry. The drink was invented at iconic NOLA watering hole Pat O’Brien’s during WWII: there was a whiskey shortage at the time, and bars had to order fifty cases of rum just to obtain a single case of whiskey. Looking for a way to use up all that rum, the bartenders at Pat’s created the Hurricane, and a legend was born. A trip to NOLA isn’t complete without trying this famous drink at its original birthplace – and Pat’s also makes a non-alcoholic version, so everyone can join in the fun! With its umbrella-shaded tables and leafy greenery, Pat’s sprawling 4,000-square-foot patio is the perfect place to while away the afternoon. Grab a seat by the famous “flaming fountain”, sip your Hurricane, and live by Pat’s motto: “have fun!”
While Pat’s is the O.G., several other bars in town make their own versions of the Hurricane. I especially liked the ones at The Court Of Two Sisters and Fritzel’s Jazz Pub. Fritzel’s also has a great balcony and a hidden “vampire speakeasy” – read this post to learn how to get in!
The Pimm’s Cup – Napoleon House
This classic gin cocktail – made with Pimm’s No. 1, lemon soda and 7-Up, and garnished with cucumber and mint – is the ultimate refresher on those hot NOLA days. It wasn’t invented in New Orleans (that honour belongs to James Pimm, a London restaurateur who created the drink sometime between 1823-1840) but the famous Napoleon House is credited with bringing the drink to America in the 1940s. Napoleon House has a unique history: it’s located in a 1797 building in the French Quarter, originally the home of New Orleans mayor Nicholas Girod. The restaurant’s name comes from Girod’s offer, in 1821, to provide refuge to Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile. While Napoleon never made it, Napoleon House sure did – it opened as a restaurant in 1914 and has been going strong ever since! In addition to their Pimm’s Cup, Napoleon House is famous for another signature menu item and New Orleans delicacy: their epic muffuletta sandwich.
I also love the Pimm’s Cup from The Country Club, a fabulously chic restaurant in the Bywater neighbourhood. It has gorgeous decor and even a swimming pool out back! And because one should never drink on an empty stomach, you simply must order the fried green tomatoes and the crab beignets!
The Hand Grenade – Tropical Isle
If you’re walking down Bourbon Street at night (or any time of day, really) chances are you’ll see many a tourist nursing a bright green slushie in an obnoxiously large to-go cup. That would be the infamous Hand Grenade, a.k.a. “New Orleans’ Most Powerful Drink” – a moniker that’s actually trademarked! I have to admit, after my first sip of the Hand Grenade, I seriously doubted the whole “most powerful drink” thing – it literally tastes like a melon popsicle, to the point where I thought the bartender misunderstood and gave me a non-alcoholic version. Well, after a few minutes, I was eating my words… this unassuming drink is deceptively potent! A quick Google search made it all make sense: the Hand Grenade contains four different alcohols – vodka, rum, gin, and melon liqueur – and a whopping 24% alcohol content. This drink is indeed delicious – and a must on your NOLA bucket list – but keep in mind that a little goes a long way! The Hand Grenade is trademarked by the Tropical Isle, and it’s the only bar in New Orleans (or anywhere) where you can get one. Once you get past the interior’s kitschy tiki-esque decor, you’ll find a great hidden gem of a balcony upstairs!
The Absinthe Frappé – The Old Absinthe House
The Old Absinthe House is an iconic piece of New Orleans history. Built in 1807, it first operated as a grocery until 1846, when it became “Aleix’s Coffee House” and began to garner a growing bohemian clientele. Its patrons came not only for coffee, but another beverage of choice: the green fairy! (Who else is picturing that infamous scene from Moulin Rouge?) In 1874, bartender Cayetano Ferrer created the Absinthe Frappé, and the establishment was renamed The Absinthe Room. When Prohibition struck and threatened its closure, the owners quietly moved the bar to an abandoned warehouse down the street, where it continued to operate secretly as a speakeasy. When Prohibition was overturned, the bar returned to its original location at 240 Bourbon Street, where it still stands proudly today. The bar is dimly lit and delightfully dive-y: football helmets dangle from the ceiling, and the walls are covered in vintage signs and just a few million business cards. The bar is notoriously haunted: its famous ghostly visitors include pirate Jean Lafitte and President Andrew Jackson. We didn’t encounter any spirits – other than the ones in our glasses – but the bar definitely has an old, spooky vibe. The Absinthe Frappé is its claim to fame, but they serve a wide variety of cocktails, both with and without absinthe. I’m a “when in Rome” kind of girl, so I ordered an absinthe cocktail, even though I absolutely hate absinthe (I know, I know!) Whether you’re a friend of “the green fairy” or not, this centuries-old watering hole is a must-visit.
Frozen Irish Coffee – Molly’s At The Market / Erin Rose
I’ll admit, I’d never been the biggest Irish coffee fan… until I tried it frozen! With a decadent blend of frozen coffee, ice cream, brandy and Irish cream, this boozy milkshake quickly became one of my favourite drinks in New Orleans. Rich and sweet, it makes the perfect nightcap – it’s literally liquid dessert – but it’s also perfectly acceptable to grab one to-go on a late morning stroll around the French Quarter. (Hey, anything goes in NOLA!) The drink was invented in the 1980s by bar owner – and local legend – Jim Monaghan. Monaghan owned more than thirty New Orleans bars over the years, but two of the most famous are Erin Rose and Molly’s At The Market. Both are still going strong today – and serving that strong Irish coffee. Sláinte!
The Ice Cream Daiquiri – The Gazebo Café
If you’re sensing a cocktail trend here – namely, sweet and frozen – you’d be correct. From daiquiris to margaritas to pina coladas, I’ve always loved a drink that tastes like it came straight off the beach of an all-inclusive resort. In New Orleans, where heat and humidity reign supreme, an icy frozen cocktail is just what the doctor ordered. Located at the French Market, the Gazebo Café is proudly “the home of the original ice cream daiquiri”. Made with real ice cream, these addictive treats are available in a variety of decadent flavours: from Orange Dreamsicle to Banana Split to Mocha Almond Freeze. I stuck with an old classic – the pina colada – and seriously, it may just be the best pina colada I’ve ever had! It just goes to show you… when in doubt, add ice cream. The café is beside Latrobe Park and there’s usually a live jazz band on the patio. They also serve a menu of casual bar bites with a distinctly New Orleanian twist: think crawfish hushpuppies, shrimp po’ boys and fried alligator.
The Purple Drank – Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
The jury’s still out on whether Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is the oldest bar in the United States, or simply its oldest structure currently used as a bar. Either way, there’s no disputing that it’s really, really old… and really, really haunted. In fact, according to Forbes, it may just be the most haunted bar in the world! The Brothers Grimm-esque Creole cottage was built in 1722, and is one of NOLA’s only surviving examples of original 18th century French architecture. It’s named for notorious pirate Jean Lafitte, who “operated” a blacksmith shop out of the building – and by “operated”, I mean used as a front for a smuggling operation – in the early 19th century. With its crumbling stucco, exposed brick and wooden beams, the bar has a decidedly spooky vibe… did I mention it’s lit only by candles? There have been more ghost sightings reported at Lafitte’s than perhaps any other spot in New Orleans: frequent “guests” include Lafitte himself (often appearing as a pair of glowing red eyes in the fireplace grate), a mysterious woman who haunts the second floor, and even President Andrew Jackson! We didn’t see any ghosts per se, but the next morning when I was looking through my phone, I noticed that every single photo I’d taken of the Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop sign was a “live” photo, making them appear as if they were moving or flickering. None of the photos I’d taken before or after were “live”. For the record, I hate live photos and I never have this setting turned on. Sure, it’s possible that I accidentally turned it on right before I took three photos of the sign, and then accidentally turned it off right after – even though this has never happened to me in the 10+ years I’ve had an iPhone – but it does make you wonder, no? Additionally, many of the photos I took inside the bar were extremely blurry (though that can perhaps be blamed on the candlelight!) To make it even creepier, when I told my friend Victoria what happened, she went back into her own camera roll and started freaking out when she realized all her photos from the bar were gone – she couldn’t even find them in her ‘deleted’ album. She ended up finding them on her phone a few hours later – was it just an oversight on her part, or something more mysterious? Only Jean knows the truth! Lafitte’s signature beverage is the notorious “Purple Drank”: a vibrant violet slushie that’s essentially a grape-flavoured frozen daiquiri. It tastes like a popsicle but packs a punch. After a couple of them, don’t be surprised if you start seeing spirits too!
The Fleur De Lis & Vampire’s Kiss – Muriel’s Jackson Square
If you like your spirits with… well, spirits… I’ve got another ghostly bar that’ll be right up your alley! Muriel’s is located in a historic 19th century building beside Jackson Square, and is famously haunted. This isn’t a city where haunted history is hushed up or swept under the rug – NOLA celebrates its ghosts, loud and proud! Muriel’s even has a table in their stairwell permanently set for their resident ghost, Pierre Antoine. Muriel’s has several different lounges and dining rooms – all beautifully and uniquely decorated – but you’ll definitely want to check out their spooky, sumptuous Séance Lounge, which they describe as “a cross between the Moulin Rouge and a bordello.” In a moment straight out of The Shining, we were directed to the balcony by two little girls that were playing in the lounge. (To be honest, I’m still not convinced they were real…) Speaking of the balcony, it’s a must-visit! It overlooks Jackson Square and has picture-perfect views of St. Louis Cathedral. Muriel’s is known for their excellent cocktails – from NOLA classics like the Sazerac and Ramos Gin Fizz, to signature creations like the Fleur De Lis and Vampire’s Kiss. The Fleur De Lis is an effervescent mix of sparkling wine, vodka, Chambord, orange and pineapple juice: think of a punchier take on a mimosa. The Vampire’s Kiss is a pretty-in-pink combination of blood orange vodka, strawberry-balsamic gastrique, cranberry juice and lemon.
The 25-Cent Martini – Commander’s Palace
Last week, I told you all about our fabulous lunch at Commander’s Palace. This two-storey, 32,000-square-foot building in the Garden District is a beloved NOLA landmark, instantly recognizable for its castle-like architecture and cheerful blue-and-white-striped façade. Established in 1893, it’s one of the city’s oldest restaurants. And speaking of “old news”… when was the last time you saw a martini priced at 25 cents? No, it’s not a misprint: every Thursday and Friday, Commander’s offers 25-cent martinis with the purchase of any lunch entrée. The maximum is three per person (because as they say, “three’s enough!”) You can get a classic gin or vodka martini, or choose from three flavourful (and colourful!) variations: the pink Cosmopolitan, green Ray’s Melon Martini, or blue Commander’s Martini. A three-martini lunch for under a dollar? I’ll drink to that!
Bottomless Mimosas – Antoine’s
Just like Commander’s Palace, Antoine’s is beautiful, historic (it’s actually the oldest restaurant in New Orleans) and serves great cocktails at a surprisingly affordable price. They may not be 25 cents, but I happen to think $20 for bottomless mimosas is a pretty great deal, especially for such a fancy restaurant (I’m talking white tablecloths, bow-tied waiters, napkin service fancy!) Even with the conversion, it works out to under $30 CAD. In Toronto, I’ve never seen bottomless mimosas for less than $45! The special is available exclusively during brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30-2. I highly recommend coming for their famous Sunday jazz brunch. Antoine’s has a wonderful three-piece band that will serenade your table – and they take requests! Click here to read more about our Antoine’s experience.
The Vieux Carré – Carousel Bar & Lounge
If you’re at the Carousel Bar and you feel the room start to spin, it’s not just because you’ve had one too many cocktails: the bar is an actual revolving carousel! This iconic spot at the Hotel Monteleone opened in 1949, and is still one of NOLA’s most popular bars. The delightfully kitschy antique carousel was hand-painted by a former Disney artist and features 25 animals, from zebras to horses to elephants. And don’t worry, it’s not exactly spinning teacup speed – it takes 15 minutes for the carousel to do a full rotation. It’s so subtle you may not even notice… until you look up from your cocktail and find yourself on the other side of the room! The carousel is so popular that people start lining up an hour before the bar’s 11am opening to try and snag one of its coveted 25 seats. We didn’t manage to get a spot on the carousel itself, but there’s plenty of seating in the rest of the space. It gives classic old hotel bar vibes, with live piano music every Thursday through Saturday. The must-order cocktail here is the Vieux Carré: a potent mixture of rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine and Peychaud’s bitters. It was invented right here at the Carousel Bar in 1937, and named after NOLA’s oldest neighbourhood, the French Quarter (a.k.a. the Vieux Carré!)
Daiquiris To-Go
Just like Vegas and Memphis, New Orleans is one of those rare, magical places in the United States with no open-container ban – i.e., you can drink on the street. Now, I do think open-container laws are here for a good reason – we all know that when it comes to public drinking, some people never got the “too much of a good thing” memo. But on the other hand… there’s something so nice about being able to walk down the street with a cocktail in hand, with no hurry or pressure to finish it. (If your wallet’s ever felt the regret of leaving a half-finished bottle of wine on a restaurant table, you know what I mean!) “Go-Cups” are a big thing in New Orleans, and takeout joints are as common for cocktails as they are for fried chicken. One of NOLA’s most popular to-go drinks is the daiquiri, which can be found at several spots along Bourbon Street including Daiquiri Delight, Voodoo Chicken & Daiquiris, Fat Tuesday and Big Easy Daiquiris. And these daiquiris go way beyond your classic strawberry and mango varieties: some of the more unique flavours I spotted included cotton candy, wedding cake and “jazz funeral” (don’t ask… it’s a NOLA thing!)
And last but not least: even though this isn’t a cocktail bar (though they do have a craft cocktail menu!) I’d be remiss to write a post on New Orleans bars without mentioning Bacchanal Wine. We came here the last night of our trip, and I have to say… after a few days of potent, sugary and boozy cocktails, sometimes there’s nothing better than a crisp glass of Chardonnay! Bacchanal is a low-key, laidback spot in the Bywater with a leafy, twinkle-lit garden patio and live music every night. They stock hundreds of wines from all over the world, which are best paired with their build-your-own cheese plates. Just choose your favourite cheeses from their well-stocked fridge, and their staff will take care of the rest. Their cheese platters are huge and come with every accompaniment your heart could desire.
If you’re well-versed in New Orleans cocktail lore, you may have noticed one glaring omission from this list: the Sazerac! I know what you’re thinking – seriously, Steph!? You spent a week drinking your way across New Orleans and never tried the city’s official cocktail? I’m almost ashamed to admit it but… no, I didn’t! Honestly, I’m just not a whiskey girl. That’s not to say I wouldn’t try one on my next trip to NOLA, but it just wasn’t in the cards this time. If it’s in yours, the best place to get your Sazerac is probably the legendary Sazerac Bar at the Hotel Roosevelt. Or, for a deeper dive into Sazerac history, check out the Sazerac House museum on Canal Street – they offer complimentary tours and tastings every day from 11-6.
So… are you feeling thirsty yet?? I know it looks like we drank a lot in New Orleans… but remember, this was all spread over several days (i.e. please don’t judge me too much!) All joking aside, cocktails are a huge part of NOLA culture, and it’s definitely worth indulging in a few on your trip – but please always remember to drink responsibly, especially when traveling!
Have you tried any of the aforementioned cocktails, whether in New Orleans or elsewhere? Which one is your favourite?
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