Fresh off my yearly sojourn to New Orleans. I perused my usual Garden District hot spots shopping–I got some awesome art work, eating (Superior Seafood took ALL my money this trip-lol), and- of course- sampling delicious beverages. This trip, I wanted to check out some of the storied New Orleans beverages, the ones with a rich history in the Crescent City. After a bit of research, I decided to give Free Tours by Foot’s self guided New Orleans Cocktail Tour a shot.
So I set out with a small scouting party to attempt an 8 (yes, EIGHT) stop cocktail tour, to discover a few storied New Orleans cocktails.
Disclaimer: we could not finish the entire tour, but not through lack of trying-LOL. One place was closed, one was just too crowded, and the other deemed too far away after 5 cocktails and a couple hours of walking. 🙂
Stop 1: Sazerac (The Roosevelt New Orleans)
First up, a Sazerac from the eponymous Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt. Fun Fact: the Sazerac is known as the very first cocktail created in America & is the official cocktail of New Orleans. Also a fun fact: The Sazerac a STOUT drink to make your very first beverage of the day at 11:00 am. 🙂
Made from rye whiskey, herbsaint, and bitters, I found the Sazerac to be heavy, yet warming and super smooth. In fact, this ended up being my favorite cocktail I had on the tour. And being that I am not a big brown liquor drinker, I was quite surprised at this revelation.
Stop 2: Vieux Carre (The Carousel Bar)
Next a visit to Hotel Monteleone to visit the Carousel Bar for another New Orleans classic, a Vieux Carre. Be warned, if you actually sit at the Carousel Bar, it spins….slowly, but it still spins. A fact I did not notice until I looked up and realized the scenery has changed. Hey, I’d just had a Sazerac, don’t judge me. 🙂
The Vieux Carre, invented in 1938 by Walter Bergeron (head bartender at Hotel Monteleone) is New Orleans’ take on a Manhattan. It contains rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, bitters, and Benedictine. It’s not bad, but it wasn’t for me.
Stop 3: Pimm’s Cup (Napoleon House)
The Pimm’s Cup is the signature cocktail at Napoleon House. While Pimm’s #1 got its start in London in the 1840’s, this spirit somehow found it’s way to New Orleans and their version of the Pimm’s Cup was born. A refreshing blend of Pimm’s #1, lemonade, & 7up. It tastes like summer in a glass! You really can’t go wrong with this one.
Stop 4: Cafe Brulot Diabolique (Antoine’s)
Okay, this beverage was a special treat and easily wins Best Presentation, hands down! The Cafe Brulot Diabolique (Devilishly Burned Coffee) was created in the 1890’s by Jules Alciatore, son of the Antoine. I wasn’t properly prepared for the presentation of this beverage.
I ordered the bar, but was immediately told I would need to go to a table because this specific drink could not be prepared at bar. Needless to say, my interest was officially piqued. Come to find out, this beverage is prepared table side in a flaming cloud of liquor, cloves, & cinnamon. Who knew? I’ve since come to learn that you can only get this drink prepared at 3 restaurants in New Orleans.
Watch the Cafe Brulot Diabolique being prepared here:
Stop 5: Absinthe (Pirate’s Alley Cafe)
I rounded out this New Orleans cocktail tour with a hit of absinthe from Pirate’s Alley Cafe. Now, for the record, I am not an absinthe fan. But it was on the list, so there I was with a glass of Lucid. As Absinthe goes, it wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t overly anise forward, and true to the description, it did have a slight lavender tone to it.
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