Four Cocktails You Need to Try in New Orleans

What are the cocktails you need to try in New Orleans? No, not a hand grenade. Although the foot-long, lime green drink has become a largely popular cocktail to order in New Orleans, it’s not the only cocktail star in the city.

George and I signed up for a food + cocktail tour by Dr. Gumbo for our first full day in New Orleans. I knew Nola was the city of food and drink, but there are only so many meals + cocktails in a day … the tour seemed like the perfect way to try traditional New Orleans cuisine and learn about the city’s history. Plus, I wanted a local’s guidance.

We LOVED our tour and would highly recommend. While walking around the French Quarter, we were able to try a number of tradition New Orleans cocktails. Drinking cocktails versus learning about the history while drinking the cocktails made me appreciate the craft of the drink so much more.

four cocktails to try in new orleans

Daiquiri. The original version (the name has Cuban origins and could translate as “Cuban River”). A lemon-lime and rum cocktail gained popularity in the warmer weather states for it’s refreshing nature. Louisiana iced daiquiri had to keep up with college drinking culture (cheap production and lots of cheap booze), so the modern daquiri has morphed into a frozen concotion. Try the original at Cane and Table (James Beard nomination).

French 75. The traditional New Orleans French 75 is made with cognac. The name “French 75” came from a French artillery cannon that had a very smooth shot. And the drink is very smooth. Enjoy at Arnaud’s (James Beard nominated bar) or Tableau (pictured!).

Hurricane. Rum 151 is a key ingredient here! The History: Old world liquors weren’t accessible to America; however, they had access to the Caribbean. The imports were so frequent that Pat O’Briens (a famous New Orleans pub) made a drink with ALL of the rums, because they had so much. Soon the “Hurricane” was born. The name Hurricane had to do with the vessel that looks like a carosean lantern - you light it up when a Hurricane blows the lights out. Enjoy at The Red Fish Grill.

Sazerac. Legend has it, this cocktail originated on Royal Street (close to Hotel Monteleone - home of The Carousel Bar) in a pharmacy where Antoine Amédée Peychaud produced his proprietary bitters. Hosting friends, he added his bitters to his favorite brandy and created a new drink. Enjoy at The Sazerac House or The Carousel Bar.

BONUS: A cocktail not in the French Quarter. I’d encourage you to explore New Orleans outside of the French Quarter, because there are so many unique expereinces to explore! George and I grabbed a cocktail at The Chloe and it was one of our favorite cocktail experiences of the trip. They have a beautifully decorate interior and a lush + elevated front patio and terrace.

Again, learning about the history of these cocktails made drinking them even more of a New Orleans experience. Cheers to a good time in the Big Easy!