The gorgeous Peacock Room at the Kimpton Hotel is serving a classic martini, with a twist. During happy hour, the “Martini Wishes and Caviar Dreams” offers guests a $12 martini made with either Bombay Sapphire gin or Grey Goose vodka. Guests who want to elevate their imbibing experience can also add a “caviar bump” for an extra $4. A nosh of the bar’s vermouth-marinated olives is a perfect accompaniment to a classic martini. Other popular cocktails include the Smokey Paloma with Illegal Mezcal, Fever Tree Sparkling Grapefruit and lime. The Bananarama includes Bacardi Rum, Giffard Banane, Velvet Falernum and lemon. Either pair well with their Peacock Fries Burgundy truffle shavings, Parmesan, garlic aioli. Really, almost everything pairs well with fries! 501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-324-3073, peacockroomnola.com
Lenten Coolers
New Orleanians abstaining from alcohol as their Lenten sacrifice have a wealth of bars and restaurants catering to their needs. At Nina Compton’s Compere Lapin, you can sample the Everybody’s Heard, a smooth, alcohol-free libation with Oregon Chai concentrate, Dhos Bittersweet non-alcoholic aperitif, pineapple juice and demerara simple syrup. The Common’s Club at the Virgin Hotel is offering a Tiki Cooler, a cool blend of Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Amaretti, Real Coco, lime juice and pineapple juice. Their Orange Spritz is a refreshing mix of Lyre’s non-alcoholic Italian Orange, house made honey lavender syrup, orange juice and club soda. Compere Lapin 535 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-599-2119, comperelapin.com; Common’s Club 550 Baronne St., 504-603-8000, virginhotels.com
Spring Happy Hours
Costera offers an enticing happy hour every day from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy select $6 cocktails like the Going Back to Kali, which is made with Fernet Branca, Tempranillo, citrus and Coca-Cola. Hotel Nacional features Planteray 3 Star rum, pineapple, lime and apricot, and the Siesta uses Mi Campo Blanco, Campari, grapefruit and lime. Beer and glasses of wine are also half-priced. Guests can enjoy the N/A version of a cucumber mule, with a house made cucumber shrub, fresh lime juice and ginger beer. All pair well with a classic tapas menu.
4938 Prytania St., 504-302-2332, costerarestaurant.com
Shaken and Stirred
James Bond fans may know that the Vesper Martini’s creation is credited to Ian Flemming’s intrepid spy, first featured in the book “Casino Royale” and charmingly ordered by Daniel Craig in the movie of the same name. It includes both gin and vodka as well as Lillet Blanc. While our tuxedoed hero may sip his drink with luxury dishes, the folks at Hungry Eyes think the Vesper pairs well with more common fare. There’s no need to bet the house to fund your meal. For a mere $25, locals can savor the Vesper at Hungry Eyes’ Sunday Special, enjoying its mix of Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose, Lillet Blanc and a lemon twist accompanied with either a burger or the fried chicken sandwich. 4206 Magazine St., 504-766-0054, hungryeyesnola.com
In Bloom
Gretna’s Thai restaurant Banana Blossom is a local favorite known for classic Thai flavors with a menu that reflects both global influences as well as those from Creole dishes. What many don’t know is they have an excellent cocktail program featuring drinks with a Thai twist that pair perfectly with their menu. Among their signature cocktails are the White Lotus, with mango, coconut milk and lime juice, mixed with St. Germain. The Namaste is a riff on a lemon drop, highlighting guava as its predominant flavor. Fans of Thai tea should sample the Thai Tea-rrific, which adds Japanese shochu to the classic Thai sipper. 500 9th St, Gretna, 504-500-0997, 504bananablossom.com
