Mister Mao has introduced a new cocktail program under the direction of recently appointed bar manager Madeleine “Mad” Chao, formerly of Cochon Butcher and Ancora Pizzeria. New cocktails, which have been designed to complement Chef Sophina’s bold and flavorful cuisine, include the Viva Forever (made with vodka, chai spice, clove, beets, El Guapo Cajun Grenadine and lemon), the Baby One More Thyme (made with gin, Pimm’s, thyme, bitter orange, lime and aquafaba), and the Tipsy Teahouse (made with bourbon, Karkade liqueur, hibiscus, mint and cinnamon). 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-345-2056, mistermaonola.com
Wine & Dine
Jack Rose, the top-notch restaurant within the Pontchartrain Hotel, has partnered with PlumpJack Estate Winery for a thoughtfully crafted multi-course dinner to complement the wines Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. Chef/owner Brian Landry will add his unique twist to New Orleans’ irresistible Italian, French and Spanish flavors. 2031 St. Charles Ave., 504-323-1500, jackroserestaurant.com
Louisiana’s First Tequila
The first and only distillery in Louisiana to offer tequila, Donaldsonville-based NOËL Family Distillery recently opened its doors for tours and tastings after years of pandemic-related delays. NOËL’s two unique tequila expressions are made with 100 percent Blue Weber Agave. Meanwhile, the distillery’s rums are distilled from sugarcane and molasses from local partner farms, and the vodka is six-times distilled using USA-sourced corn and filtered through charcoal. Available at River Ridge Discount Wine and Spirits, 10232 Jefferson Hwy., 504-737-4456
Happy Hours to the Rescue
Brewery Saint X, the new brew pub in the CBD, recently introduced a late-night happy hour Tuesday through Sunday with chilled draft lagers and cask ales ($5), frozen cocktails ($8) and boilermakers ($9), alongside chef Shannon Bingham’s house-made hot dogs ($7 each or two for $10) topped with beef cheek chili. 734 Loyola Ave., 504-788-0093, brewerysaintx.com
Meanwhile, 14 Parishes Jamaican restaurant on Oak Street has a new “Irie Hour” Tuesday through Friday, 4-7 p.m. with half off appetizers and cocktails. Try the jerk wings, the island kabob or the coconut shrimp, and pair your dish with a rum punch (made with pineapple, orange, cherry, and white and dark rum) or the coco rita (made with lime juice, triple sec, coconut rum and white rum). 8227 Oak St., 504-420-7433, 14parishes.com
Boozy Coffee
Birdy’s Behind the Bower, the all-day brunch restaurant in the Lower Garden District, is featuring an Irish coffee (served iced or hot) made with Tullamore Dew Whiskey, Irish cream, coffee or cold brew and fresh whipped cream. Or try the espresso martini and pair it with the “Peaches & Cream Bubble Waffle“ (served with macerated peaches, Chantilly cream and cane syrup). 1320 Magazine St., 504-302-2992, birdysnola.com
Bring on the Bourbon
Pinhook, a distillery that crafts distinctive bourbons and ryes each year by applying a winemaker’s approach to whiskey, recently launched its latest release, The Artist Series No. 3, with a dinner and spirits pairing at The Chloe. Distilled for five years, this special release re-barrels two blended batches of bourbon, mingling wood and whiskey to age further. The resulting bourbon is deep and rich with fruit-forward flavors like apricot and dried mango.
