Fresh off my yearly sojourn to New Orleans. I did what I always do: wander through Garden District for a little shopping, pick up some local art, eat ALL the food (Superior Seafood took all my money this trip), and of course, sip my way through some delicious drinks.
This time I wanted to dive deep into the Crescent City’s cocktail culture. So instead of my usual haunts, I set out to explore the drinks that built the city’s legendary reputation. After some research, I came across Free Tours by Foot’s self guided New Orleans Cocktail Tour and pulled together a small scouting to attempt an EIGHT-stop cocktail tour.
Disclaimer: we could not finish the entire tour, but not for lack of trying. One bar was closed, another too crowed, and after five cocktails the last stop was just too far to walk to. 😏
Stop 1: Sazerac-The Roosevelt New Orleans
We kicked things off with a Sazerac at the iconic Roosevelt Hotel. Fun Fact: the Sazerac is considered the first cocktail made in America and is the official cocktail of New Orleans. Another fun fact: The Sazerac a STOUT drink to make your very first beverage of the day at 11:00 am.
Made with rye whiskey, herbsaint, and bitters, the Sazerac is bold, warming, and super smooth. I’m not the biggest brown liquor fan, so I was surprised liked this one as much as I did.
Stop 2: 
Vieux Carre- The Carousel Bar
Next stop: the Carousel Bar inside Hotel Monteleone. Yes, the bar spins like an actual carousel. Slowly, but it can still can you off guard…especially if you just had a Sazarac.
The Vieux Carre, created at Hotel Monteleone in 1938 by head bartender Walter Bergeron, is New Orleans’ take on a Manhattan. With rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, bitters, and Benedictine it’s complex and rich. It leans a bit too sweet and heavy for me, but it’s worth trying for the experience.
Stop 3: Pimm’s Cup- Napoleon House
Where the Sazerac is heavy and historical, the Pimm’s Cup is light and fleshing. Pimm’s #1 got its start in London in the 1840’s, but somehow found its way to New Orleans and became the signature cocktail at Napoleon House
This refreshing delight is a blend of Pimm’s #1, lemonade, & 7up. It tastes like summer in a glass! You really can’t go wrong with this one. It’s a must on a hot day.
Stop 4: Cafe Brulot Diabolique- Antoine’s
This one easily wins Best Presentation. Created in the 1890’s by Jules Alciatore, son Antoine’s founder, the Cafe Brulot Diabolique is no ordinary cup of coffee,
This beverage is prepared table side in a flaming swirl of liquor, cloves, & cinnamon. Trust me, it’s a spectacle worth seeing. Only three restaurants in New Orleans serve it this way, making it a true hidden gem.
(You can watch the Cafe Brulot Diabolique being prepared in the video at the 0:55 mark.)
Stop 5: Absinthe- Pirate’s Alley Cafe
We closed out the tour with absinthe at Pirate’s Alley Cafe. For the record, absinthe is not my drink of choice, but it was on the list so I gave it a fair shot. I tried Lucid which was lighter than expected. It had less of a strong anise bite and a faint lavender note. This is not a favorite, but as far as absinthe goes, it was not too bad.
Final Pour
Was this the full eight-top tour? No, but that’s New Orleans for you. It pulls you in, slows you down, and makes every sip an experience worth savoring.
If you’re headed to New Orleans and want a taste of of history in a glass, I would recommend tackling a few of these Crescent City classics. And remember to pace yourself. New Orleans has a way of keeping you at the table a little longer than you may have planned.
If you want to see more, check out the photos below of a few of the other drinks I enjoyed on this trip.
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