Just in time for Mardi Gras! New Orleans is celebrated as the “Big Easy,” but when it comes to mixology, the city is strictly business. As the undisputed hub of American cocktail culture, the French Quarter offers a density of historic libations that is unrivaled anywhere else in the country.
In this exclusive tour, renowned bartender Pam Wiznitzer navigates the history and craft behind the city’s most significant drinks. Whether you’re visiting for the festivities or planning a trip for the summer heat, this is the definitive guide to drinking in New Orleans.
—The Sazerac Bar (The Roosevelt Hotel): We begin at this 1949 institution to sample the Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans. This rye and absinthe-rinsed staple is a local evolution of the Old Fashioned. We also examine the Ramos Gin Fizz, a labor-intensive classic known for its shaken egg-white foam structure.
—The Carousel Bar (Hotel Monteleone): A look inside the famous 25-seat bar that rotates every 15 minutes. This is the birthplace of the Vieux Carré, a 1937 creation that blends rye, cognac, and sweet vermouth for a spirit-forward profile.
—Tujague’s: We visit the city’s second-oldest restaurant to taste the definitive version of the Grasshopper. Invented in 1918, this lower-proof, creamy cocktail offers a sophisticated take on mint chocolate flavors.
—Pat O’Brien’s: A deep dive into the Hurricane. Born from a post-Prohibition surplus of rum, this passion fruit and fassionola syrup-based drink remains a global icon.
—Jewel of the South: Witness the revival of the Brandy Crusta. This pre-Prohibition classic, featuring a signature sugared rim, has been meticulously restored to prominence by bar director Chris Hannah.
—Erin Rose: A hidden gem just off Bourbon Street, famous for its Frozen Irish Coffee—a brandy-based refresher available 21 hours a day.
—The Hand Grenade: An honest assessment of the powerful melon-liqueur drink that has dominated the Bourbon Street scene since 1984.
Which of these historic New Orleans institutions is on your itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
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0:00 – Intro: The Hub of Cocktail Culture
0:43 – The Roosevelt Hotel: Sazeracs & Ramos Gin Fizzes
2:13 – The Carousel Bar: The Vieux Carré
3:30 – Tujague’s: The Historic Grasshopper
4:30 – Pat O’Brien’s: The Hurricane
5:48 – Jewel of the South: Reviving the Brandy Crusta
6:28 – Erin Rose: Frozen Irish Coffee
7:50 – Bourbon Street: The Hand Grenade
8:36 – Conclusion
#NewOrleans #MardiGras #CocktailHistory #Travel #Mixology #FrenchQuarter #LuxuryTravel #Sazerac #FineDining
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