Napoleon House, famous for introducing the traditional British drink—the Pimm’s Cup—to its bar menu in the 1940s, has added a sister version to its menu. The Louie Louie Pimm’s Cup is a non-alcoholic version that instead features locally crafted Louie Louie Good Time Seltzers made with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD. The drink also includes Dhōs Gin Free, house-made lemonade, a splash of lemon-lime soda and cucumber. Meanwhile, Brennan’s has reintroduced its original brunch cocktail, the Bloody Bull, created by Owen Brennan in the 1950s when he substituted house-made beef broth for the bouillon cube. 500 Chartres St., 504-524-9752, napoleonhouse.com; 417 Royal St., 504-525-9711, brennansneworleans.com
Going for the Gold
The third annual New Orleans Spirits Competition is now accepting submissions for the 2024 awards program celebrated at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans July 21-26. Open to all classes of spirits (both domestic and international) and judged by a panel of esteemed industry experts and luminaries, the international competition aims to bring wider recognition to fine spirits from top-flight producers across the globe. Final deadlines for submissions is April 26 for entries within the U.S., and categories include whisky, rum, brandy, gin, baijiu, liqueurs, specialty spirits, no-and-low alcohol and ready-to-drink cocktails. Following last year’s successful live judging, TOTC will once again allow the audience to witness the discussions and debates that go into choosing a winning spirit through blind tastings. NOSC also will double its presence at TOTC this year and increase the number of spirits being judged. nolaspiritscomp.com
Suds Expansion
Across the lake, Chafunkta Brewing Company – a nano brewery with 12 brews on tap – has expanded its reach beyond its tap room to local bars and restaurants. Popular options include the 985 (Meyer Lemon Wheat), the Kingfish Ale and the Bayou Blaze. 69123 Sky Brook Road, Mandeville, 985-869-0716, chafunkta.square.site
Cheers to That!
Matt Horney, brewer and co-founder of Ecology Beer Creative found inspiration for this new Central City brewery from a college textbook, “The Ecology of Place.” Ecology – the study of organisms and how they interact in their natural world – offered a perfect segue into beer and how it fits into the culture, conversations, music and traditions of New Orleans. In addition to craft brews, Ecology Beer Creative features a lush patio, music, sports, board games, food pop-ups and events like trivia. 1401 Baronne St., 504-299-3472, ecologybeer.com
