Flour Moon Bagels may not be the first spot that comes to mind for cocktails, but they offer several refreshing, boozy beverages perfect for a summer brunch or lunch. One early morning classic, the Bloody Mary, gets an unusual twist, with the addition of manzanilla sherry and vermouth to complement its house made pickles. Moon Shadow is their riff on a coffee Negroni featuring HEY! Coffee cold brew, Cappelletti, Cardamaro and Cocchi Torino. Coffee T’hini will cool you down as well as give you a coffee fix, with its frozen blend of HEY! cold brew, coffee liqueur, vodka and tahini. And you can’t go amiss with an icy drink in the middle of summer. Flour Moon’s signature frozen cocktail is Sirius Rising, a blend of Aperol, gin and bergamot. Bonus: all go great with a bagel! 457 N. Dorgenois St., 504-354-1617, flourmoonbagels.com.
Museum Worthy
Savvy New Orleanians know a perfect summer outing means using someone else’s air-conditioning during our scorching August days. Even savvier ones get some culture while staying cool. During Museum Month, locals can parlay a membership at one museum for free entry to the many others participating in the program. In addition to enriching their brains, they can also fill their glasses at museums that pour a cold, boozy drink inside their cool buildings. This year, visitors to the National WWII Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art and (unsurprisingly) the Sazerac House can all grab a cocktail at their visit. In addition to these spots, the Historic New Orleans Collection pours some New Orleans history into their glasses (as well as some wine). The HNOC property was owned by François Seignouret over 200 years ago who converted the back building into wine cellars. There he bottled wines imported from his own vineyard in Bordeaux, France. The Seignouret vineyards in Bordeaux are still in operation today, and visitors to the Cafe at the Collection can enjoy sipping on this connection to New Orleans’ history.
Park Side
Ralph’s on the Park is continuing its 20-year tradition of “Three Apps and a Glass of Wine,” through Sept. 6. For $39, the limited-time appetizer menu from Executive Chef Christopher Vazquez includes a beet-cured swordfish, coffee-rubbed pork belly and pan roasted jerk shrimp. Ralph’s on the Park has been recognized for two consecutive years with the esteemed Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator, which means the wine pairings for this menu have been curated to enhance the flavors of the dishes. For an additional $10, diners may indulge in special selections.
900 City Park Avenue, 504-488-1000, ralphsonthepark.com
Tropical Vibes
Longtime locals may remember the Fog Cutter, a tiki drink originally served at the Bali Hai Restaurant and Bar (ain’t dere no more) at Pontchartrain Beach (same). This summer, Avegno, the sister bistro restaurant to Gautreau’s, is offering this legendary tipple as a tribute to Jay Batt who passed away a year ago and whose family owned Pontchartrain Beach amusement park. Local artist Denise Thornton has recreated the Fog Cutter’s signature mug which holds a zesty mix of Mt. Gay rum, Wonderbird gin, St. Roch vodka, Amaretto, orange juice and cherry. Old timers can take a sip and revisit times past, while newcomers to the city can savor a brief taste of this beloved drink. Mugs are limited, just like summer. 1726 Soniat St., 504-899-7397, avegnoneworleans.com
Cuban Classic
Newly opened Cuban spot Cafe Conmigo offers guests more than just Cuban fare and coffee — they also have an array of Cuban inspired cocktails. Traditional imbibers may select a classic mojito with white rum, fresh lime juice, cane sugar, mint and Angostura bitters, while more adventurous drinkers can sample a Materva Mojito which includes Materva Yerba Mate. Choose a simple Cuba Libre with rum, lime, Mexican Coke and Angostura bitters or get your caffeine fix another way with the Carajillo, which mixes espresso with Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur featuring 43 secret ingredients with flavors of citrus, floral and vanilla. When the August heat is just too much, grab a frozen Floradita Daiquiri, a mix of rum, lime, cane sugar and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur. 2511 Jena St., cafeconmigonola.com
