It’s the greatest time of the year for us, Carnival season making us feel and see the magic of the city. Let’s start with what’s happening around town. Several of our favorite places are celebrating with their Carnival-inspired cocktails.
SoBou (310 Rue Chartres) has cocktails inspired by carnivals in Rio, Venice, and of course New Orleans. The cocktails are works of art that mimic cities with larger-than-life Carnival celebrations. The ‘Venice’ has Oleo Saccharum, lemon juice, Prosecco and it’s topped with cotton candy. The ‘New Orleans” has Sazerac Rye, Allspice Dram, Creme de Cacao Liqueur, half and half and has a purple, green and gold sugar rim. The ‘Rio’ has Cachaca, Banana Liqueur, Salerno Blood Orange Liqueur, lime juice topped with edible glitter. Happy hour is everyday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Commander’s Palace (1403 Washington Ave.) is raising a glass to Carnival with the classic Mardi Gras Sidecar cocktail. It’s made with fresh lemon juice, brandy, Cointreau and a twist of lemon. Of course, its served with festive beads and a green and purple sugar rim.
Compere Lapin (Old 77 Hotel, 535 Tchoupitoulas St.) has a cocktail on Mardi Gras day that will really put you in the Carnival spirit. Take a sip of their ‘Neutral Ground Side,’ which is a King Cake-infused Brazilian Rum, local chicory liqueur and roasted marshmallow that the team here promises will have you coming back for more.
Copper Vine (1001 Poydras St.) is getting in on the festive frenzy of Mardi Gras. Bartenders are offering a Mardi Gras Sangria that features New Orleans Cajun spiced rum, pinot grigio, simple syrup and lime. If it sounds to good to be true, it is!
Jewel of the South (1026 St. Louis St.) has a rousing round of Mardi Gras-themed drinks. The ‘Ticket to Mardi Gras” is a drink that’s wild featuring hibiscus-infused vodka, lime and ginger beer. There’s also the “Lord of Misrule,” which is a mischievous marriage of Cocchi Rosa, Aperol honey, lime juice and Comte de Lafayette with two sinfully marinated grapes dropped into the mix. Then, there is the ‘Carnival Time’ cocktail is a real festive drink with Herbsaint, lemon, Orgeat and lemon bitters. All will be fabulous to sip on as you hop around town during carnival.
Jack Rose & Bayou Bar (2031 St Charles Ave.) both will be serving the Disco Punch, which tempts your tastebuds with Mount Gay Rum, Bigallet China-China liqueur, Suze, Falernum and lime juice topped with Prosecco. The larger amount serves six to 12 people, will be available at Jack Rose while the by the glass option will be available for a limited time at Bayou Bar. Who doesn’t love a good punch? We do!
And at several Emeril’s restaurants, there are a list a festive cocktails. We love the “Muse’s Green Mary,” the “Berry Bacchus” and “King Cake Coquito,” which disappears fast. The “Flambeaux Punch” and “Carnival Punch” are both crowd favorites. Try one or try them all.
No matter where you end up during this year’s biggest free party, you are sure to find fun, festive cocktails inspired by revelry and royalty. If you find a great drink you want us to check out, let us know so we can check it out and share it with cocktail lovers everywhere.