Paul Kushner
New Orleans cocktails mix the city’s cultural essence with unique flavors, perfect for those who love a zest in their drinks. Enjoying these creations feels like embracing the vibrant spirit of New Orleans itself. The Sazerac and Hurricane stand out, each telling a story of tradition and innovation. These drinks capture the heart of the Big Easy, making any moment special. They’re not just beverages; they’re a celebration of life’s finer moments. If you appreciate complexity with a Southern twist, this roundup is a must.
The Hurricane
The Hurricane is a classic, refreshing cocktail with Prohibition-era origins. You’ll need Jamaican rum, passion fruit juice, and lemon juice for this sweet red drink. There are a lot of myths surrounding this cocktail, but one thing I know for sure is that this tropical beverage always starts a party on the right foot.
Hurricane
Ingredients
Method
- Add ice to the shaker.
- Add white rum, dark rum, lime juice, orange juice, passion fruit puree, simple syrup, and grenadine.
- Shake the cocktail shaker.
- Fill a hurricane glass with ice.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Finally, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Sazerac
The most iconic of New Orleans cocktails, the Sazerac is rye whiskey stirred with a muddled bitters-soaked sugar cube and poured into a glass rinsed with absinthe or anise liqueur. While the recipe sounds like a magic spell, it isn’t hard, doesn’t require many ingredients, and will make you feel like a rock star.
Sazerac
Ingredients
Method
- Start by chilling an old-fashioned glass.
- In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with Peychaud's Bitters.
- Add rye whiskey and fill the mixing glass with ice.
- Stir well until the mixture is well-chilled.
- Rinse the chilled glass with absinthe, discarding the excess.
- Strain the whiskey mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
Vieux Carre
The Vieux Carre, or “Old Neighborhood,” refers to the French Quarter of New Orleans, and the recipe for this one reflects the city’s cultural diversity. The blend of flavors pulls from Italian, French, Caribbean, and American influences. This complex, delicious cocktail requires rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, Angostura bitters, and Peychaud’s bitters.
Vieux Carre Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Combine the rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir the mixture for about 30-45 seconds until it is well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry or lemon twist.
Ramos Gin Fizz
Henry Charles “Carl” Ramos invented the tart, sweet Ramos Gin Fizz in 1888. The cocktails are sweet, tart, creamy, and citrusy. You’ll need gin, typically London Dry, heavy cream, orange flower water, and an egg white for this one. To get the perfect foam texture, you’ll first need to shake it for several seconds before adding the ice and shaking some more!
Ramos Gin Fizz
Ingredients
Method
- Add gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, orange flower water, egg white, and heavy cream to a shaker.
- Shake vigorously without ice for about 10 seconds.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a Collins glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish with a lemon twist if desired.
- Enjoy your drink.
Bourbon Milk Punch
This single-serving Bourbon Milk Punch recipe is also excellent for a party as an alternative to egg nog. You just need bourbon, whole milk, or any milk or milk substitute, vanilla extract, sugar, and fresh nutmeg. Shake, stir, or even blend the Bourbon Milk Punch. Use hot milk if you want something warm for a bitterly cold night.
Bourbon Milk Punch
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Pour in bourbon, milk, simple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Sprinkle nutmeg on top for that extra touch of flavor.
- Enjoy!
Mint Julep
What’s more southern than a Mint Julep in a Julep cup? This refreshing and refined cocktail is a Kentucky Derby favorite and an excellent sipper on a hot, humid day. All you need for this one is mint leaves muddled in simple syrup, bourbon, and crushed ice. The cooling Mint Julep is also the perfect indulgence for a cookout or a dinner party.
Mint Julep
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Glass:
- In a julep cup or double old-fashioned glass, muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup until the mint is fragrant and slightly bruised.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice.
- Mix the Drink:
- Pour in the bourbon and stir until the glass is frosty.
- Serve:
- Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
- Enjoy:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Mint Julep!
Brandy Crusta
While the name might not sound appealing, the sugar-crusted coupe glass the Brandy Crusta is served in sure is. This sweet tropical cocktail includes brandy, Curacao, maraschino liqueur, and Angostura Bitters. I love serving this one for a fun special event like a birthday party or bridal shower.
Brandy Crusta
Ingredients
Method
- Rim your glass with sugar to start off with a sweet edge.
- In a shaker, combine brandy, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, bitters, and ice.
- Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
- Strain into your sugar-rimmed glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel for that aromatic finishing touch.
Absinthe Frappe
Absinthe was illegal because the wormwood was thought to cause hallucinations or death. This green liquor is safe, and this simple and easy Absinthe Frappe is a great place to start. Because absinthe is made from fennel and anise, it has an herbal, black licorice flavor, which some love and some do not. If you’re serious about the New Orleans experience, though, it’s something you have to try.
Cafe Brulot
The flaming coffee cocktail, Cafe Brulot is a New Orleans dessert favorite that includes Courvoisier, cherry brandy, Bacardi 151, cloves, orange zest, and strong hickory flavored coffee, like that found at the famous Cafe Du Monde. The Cafe Brulot is a warming, delicious, spicy experience, but making it at home is for the brave as it is a long and involved process that includes heating the beverage over an open flame.
Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s Cup is an easy-to-prepare cocktail made from mid-proof gin, ginger beer, lemon juice, and your fruit of choice. It’s refreshing and bubbly, full of warming spice and refreshing fruit flavors. Because it’s made with a mid-proof gin, it’s great to serve for an all-day gathering or event.
Pimm’s Cup
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a tall glass with ice to keep your drink chilled.
- Pour 2 oz of Pimm’s No. 1 over the ice.
- Add 4 oz of lemonade, blending the two for a smooth mix.
- Carefully top off the drink with a splash of ginger ale.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves, cucumber slices, orange slices, and a strawberry for a burst of flavor and color.
French 75
The French 75, on the other hand, is a champagne cocktail with high alcohol content. The cocktail features gin or cognac, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The French 75 is sophisticated, zesty, citrusy, and mouth-watering. It’s a perfect accompaniment to a celebration. It also lends itself to many variations and many flavor profile possibilities.
French 75
Ingredients
Method
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Shake well until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain into a flute glass.
- Top with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Hand Grenade
The Hand Grenade is a fruity flavor explosion for your mouth. The name of this cocktail puts it in the novelty category, but the vodka, white rum, gin, melon liqueur, grain alcohol, and pineapple juice pack some serious flavor and strength. Even if you’re stuck at home, you can still party Maris Gras style with the Hand Grenade. Pick up some plastic beads, call over some friends, and you’re good to go!
