New Orleanians can celebrate Christmas with a tropical twist at Latitude 29’s Sippin’ Santa, where Santa appears on a surfboard, not a sleigh. The vibe is less “Let it Snow” and more “Surf’s Up.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of this collaboration between Cocktail Kingdom and Beachbum Berry, with more than 60 bars across the world participating. All locations serve the same menu (created by “the Bum”) and offer Cocktail Kingdom’s line of mugs and glassware for sale, which are only available at Sippin’ Santa locations. New Orleanians in particular should be on the lookout for a festive pelican mug. New holiday recipes from Beachbum Berry include “Coco Ho Ho,” featuring gold Jamaican rum, lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup and banana liqueur, and “Frost Bite” with tequila, sage, pineapple, lime, cranberry syrup and spiced cranberry bitters. Non-alcoholic drinks include the “Designated Sledder,” which mixes lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup and tonic water. Latitude 29 will be featuring Sippin’ Santa from Nov. 6 to Jan. 1. If you are travelling for the holidays, find other Sippin’ Santa locations at sippinsantapopup.com/locations2025. 321 N Peters St., 504-609-3811, latitude29nola.com.
Award-Winning Brew
Irish Channel Miel Brewery & Taproom has been awarded a Gold Medal at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival Competition. The competition, the largest for the industry in the United States, included 108 beer categories, six cider categories and 273 breweries and cideries participated. Miel’s winning beer, Flor de Jamaica, was recognized in the American Sour Ale beer-style category. This sour ale is brewed with hibiscus flowers, pink salt, and cinnamon bark, and was inspired by agua de jamaica, the Latin iced hibiscus tea.
Alexander Peyroux, Miel co-founder and brewmaster, noted, “We’re still in disbelief. As a small, independent team, without the large-scale resources of bigger breweries, this recognition feels deeply validating. It’s an incredible honor that celebrates our commitment to brewing beer that reflects our community.” Miel Brewery prides itself on being a Latina- and brewer-owned brewery dedicated to crafting fresh, small-batch beers and cultivating an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone.
405 Sixth St., 504-372-4260, mielbrewery.com.
Bitters Sweet
If you need a quick holiday gift, local bitters company El Guapo has a variety of cocktail kits to suit any palate. They take the guesswork out of making some of the most popular drinks and can be enjoyed with or without alcohol. The Espresso Martini kit includes two bottles of Espresso Syrup (which is only sold in the kit), a bottle of Classic Orange Bitters and La Mosca Espresso Bean Garnish. For a cocktail with a kick, order the Spicy Margarita Cocktail Kit which includes two bottles of Lime Cordial, a bottle of Spicy Fuego Bitters and dried lime wheel garnish. Other favorites include a Holiday Old Fashioned Kit and Champagne Cocktail Kit. elguapobitters.com
No Dice
Locals know that our bars serve more than just spirits; they also serve as a place to recover, revel and, in the case of Marigny bar No Dice, to feed our creativity. In addition to presenting live music almost every night, starting this month the bar hosts live figure drawing classes led by local artist Julia Marshall. Models for each class come from the local burlesque community. Folks looking for a more active education can attend two-step dance lessons, which start in January, just in time for any New Year’s resolutions to “move more.” Learning is thirsty work, so you can wet your whistle on beer and shot specials that won’t break the bank. 2239 St Claude Ave, nodicenola.com
Rare Releases
Saltire Rare Malt whisky has selected Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse as its partner in Louisiana to serve its limited-edition single malts. Saltire’s most prized releases — ultra-rare, single-cask Scotch whiskies — draw from lost distilleries. Now, whisky lovers in New Orleans will be able to sample these remarkable bottlings. Their Speyside Cask Strength, Tormore, and Teaninich expressions are all currently available. Guests can also savor Saltire’s whisky in a new cocktail the “Second Line,” created by Susie Bohnstengel, mixologist and spirits educator for the Dickie Brennan’s team. The Second Line features Saltire, Drambuie and an absinthe rinse. Inspired by the city’s second line tradition, Susie said, “Saltire is the first line, the whisky that leads. This cocktail is the party that follows.” 716 Iberville St., 504-522-2467, dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com, saltireraremalt.com
Holiday Pop-Up
French Quarter residents who have been watching the Omni Hotel renovation unfold over the last year now have a festive reason to stop in and check on its progress. With the Blitzen holiday pop-up bar, a wintery wonderland filled with over-the-top décor and tasty cocktails. The Blitzen’s innovative cocktails are crafted by world-renowned mixologist, author and Drink Masters judge Julie Reiner. The menu features eight seasonal drinks, a zero-proof mocktail, and a rich hot chocolate (booze optional). Signature sippers include “The Blitzen,” the “Espress-Ho Ho” martini and the “Naughty or Spice.” Seasonal snacks include Reindeer Fuel (smoked maple-chili nut and pretzel crunch), Miso Tinsel (an umami holiday mix), and Choco Sleigh Ride (dark chocolate pistachio cream bark), among other festive treats, all of which can be enjoyed to holiday sounds from the lobby piano. Blizen’s pop-up will be open from Nov. 28 through Jan. 9.
621 St Louis St., 504-529-533, omnihotels.com/hotels/new-orleans-royal-orleans.
