The magic of the Big Easy clings to you like the humidity on a summer day, and a refreshing flight of New Orleans cocktails is just the thing to quench your thirst. But forget the image of generic neon slushies. On my last visit, I sought out historied drinks rooted in the Crescent City’s origins. These concoctions rival the city’s renowned dining scene, and naturally, they go together perfectly.
With a dense concentration of iconic bars and restaurants within the famed French Quarter’s 13 blocks, it’s easy to sample signature sips on a self-guided tour. I encountered mixologists happy to share the stories that accompanied each drinkable creation, so don’t hesitate to ask for a historical nugget or two as you sip along.
From the stiff, stately Sazerac to the indulgence of the French 75, here are eight cocktails that are quintessentially New Orleans, and where to find them on your next visit.
The Sazerac: America’s first cocktail still reigns supreme
The Crescent City is obsessed with being the first. The first to build an Opera house, the first to have streetcars, and, most importantly, one of the first to create a truly American cocktail. The Sazerac was invented in the 1980s at the Antoine Peychaud apothecary located in the French Quarter.
The initial Sazerac blend consisted of cognac and sugar, infused with Peychaud’s bitters, with
I’ve chosen the Sazerac Bar as my favored spot to enjoy this classic cocktail. The art deco interior of the Roosevelt Hotel feels nearly sacramental, and the ghosts of governors and vagrant gamblers are still lingering near the walnut barstools.
Best Spot: The Sazerac Bar, The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
The Hurricane: Pat O’Brien’s fruity signature in a distinctive glass
According to the storybooks, the Hurricane was a concoction born of necessity. The shelves of Pat O’Brien’s neighborhood bar were filled with a surplus of cheap rum, a result of limited whiskey supplies. Guests needed a strong solution to the overwhelmingly harsh taste of the rum, and this predicament gave rise to the Hurricane.
This cocktail blends rum, passion fruit, and lemon over ice for a tart, sweet, and surprisingly strong daytime sipper. It’s served in an iconic hurricane glass, shaped like a tulip and designed to withstand windy conditions.
You can still visit Pat O’Brien’s and order this elixer, but keep in mind, it’s deceptively sweet profile masks a rather boozey underbelly. One minute you’re timidly sipping, the next you’re outside on Bourbon Street ordering a round for the whole block. So make sure to enjoy this iconic drink in moderation.
Best Spot: Pat O’Brien’s, 718 St. Peter Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Hand Grenade: Bourbon Street’s infamous neon concoction
The Hand Grenade is more of a dare than a craft cocktail, yet it holds prestige in the city since its invention at Tropical Isle in the 1980s. It’s a New Orleans Cocktail popular with the bachelorette and college crowds, packing a high-alcohol punch into a relatively cheap, neon-lit souvenir.
But the blend itself discreetly hides its potency, a mixture of grain alcohol, vodka, gin, and melon liqueur, topped with lime juice. The recipe remains a highly guarded secret, so I recommend visiting this original location if you want to taste the real deal.
This drink is the perfect to-go companion for a night on the town, and the unique cup it comes in makes for a fun souvenir.
Best Spot: Tropical Isle, 721 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Ramos Gin Fizz: The labor-intensive New Orleans classic
The last time I ordered a Ramos Gin Fizz in New Orleans, I waited five minutes only to receive a report from the bartender that they didn’t have the time to make it. This is because a well-prepared Fizz takes time and attention to get just right, so it’s important to order it at the right spot.
This frothy, refreshing blend combines gin, egg whites, cream, sugar, citrus, flower water, and club soda into an emulsified masterpiece. While you sadly can’t order this perfectly balanced cocktail at its birthplace, the now-defunct Imperial Cabinet Saloon, Bourbon O Bar offers a worthy tribute to the original.
Best Spot: Bourbon O Bar, 717 Orleans Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Brandy Milk Punch: The creamy brunch essential
Brunch is more than a quick meal, but a rite of passage for those planning the perfect New Orleans travel guide. The Brandy Milk Punch is a popular beverage to have in hand for morning bites, popularized on breakfast tables in the French Quarter since the 18th century. It’s a simple but impactful mixture of brandy, milk, cream, nutmeg, and vanilla, perfect for adding a smooth mouthfeel and a touch of warmth on the palate.
Previous to the New Orleans variant, punches were exclusively clarified, meaning they were strained and served as a sort of boozy tea. The French aristocracy in New Orleans decided to leave their punches unclarified, adding a richer and more frothy note to the overall composition.
Not only is it a smooth light choice for an AM sip, but it’s also a popular holiday drink, concocted during Mardi Gras and Christmas celebrations. You can enjoy a classic Brandy Milk Punch at Brennan’s, a fine dining establishment that has been in operation since the mid-20th century. Brennan’s also invented the Bananas Foster in 1951, so make sure to indulge in this dessert while enjoying your punch.
Best Spot: Brennan’s, 417 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Pimm’s Cup: A British import with New Orleans flair
If you’re a fan of Rockefeller oysters and seafood gumbo, you’re going to need a Pimm’s Cup in hand to wash it all down. This refreshing drink was created to pair with shellfish and balance the palate with its acidic notes. It took root in the New Orleans’ Napoleon House in the 1940s, but was born in the London Oyster House. James Pimm’s recipe calls for Pimm’s No. 1, ginger ale, a cucumber slice, and a lemon garnish.
This summer sipper firmly sits as the official porch drink of the city and reflects the city’s ties to Britain. When I’m visiting during the summer months, it’s an absolute go-to, and pairs nicely with spicy Cajun dishes too.
The Napoleon House still stands, allowing visitors to earn bragging rights by sipping a Pimm’s Cup where it was first introduced in the United States. Consider painting it with a Napoleon House muffuletta, made from scratch and in-house.
Not sure what else to order with Pimm’s No. 1? There are several Pimms Cup cocktail varieties to try along Bourbon Street. Consider trying the Copper Canvas, Champagne Safari, and Louisiana Harvest to experience different sides of this spirit.
Best Spot: Napoleon House, 500 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Voodoo Daiquiri: The purple frozen drink with mystical appeal
The mingling of bourbon and Everclear creates one of the stiffest drinks you can find in the Crescent City, but blended with grape juice and ice, you would never know it. The Voodoo Daiquiri, endearingly referred to as Purple Drank, is the signature cocktail of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. Sipping a Voodoo Daiquiri while sitting in the 290-year-old establishment transports you back to the 18th century, with its ancient walls and flickering, warm candlelight.
It goes without saying that you should take it slow with this one. But that’s not a problem in the historic bar. Lafitte’s has a piano player on most nights and a large fireplace for cozy gatherings. My recommendation is to arrive earlier in the day, as this is a popular spot on tourists’ routes.
Best Spot: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
French 75: Champagne elegance with a New Orleans twist
This celebratory New Orleans cocktail is surprisingly named after the French 75mm field gun from World War I, referencing the bubbly drink’s fast and fizzy delivery. It was reportedly created in 1915 at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris by bartender Harry MacElhone and became a signature of the Roaring Twenties.
The drink is typically served in a flute or coup glass, with a shaken mix of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup at the base. Chilled champagne is then poured over the top, resulting in a refreshing and effervescent beverage.
In New Orleans, the French 75 has taken on a distinct identity, often substituting
For the gold standard version, stop by Arnaud’s French 75 Bar. I recommend making a daytime stop and enjoying an order of the marinated crab claws as you imbibe. If you want to go all out, join in for their Jazz brunch, the perfect event pairing for this bright cocktail.
Best Spot: Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, 813 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
