Virgin Hotels New Orleans is celebrating spring with seasonal cocktails and live performances at The Pool Club and Dreamboat. Spring cocktails include the frozen lemongrass Paloma (Milagro tequila, lemongrass syrup and fresh grapefruit), the “Crescent Moon” (Aperol, Prosecco, 12 Seeds grapefruit hibiscus-infused tequila and fresh grapefruit) and the “Mai Gai” (Coruba dark Jamaican rum, Rhum Barbancourt 5 Star, Tropical Orange Curacao, fresh lime and almond syrup). Live performances this month include Lil Jodeci on April 9 and 16, a DJ set by Boyfriend during the Pool Club Pool Party (1-4 p.m. with a special Hendrick’s Gin photo installation and live edible flower garnishes for Hendrick’s drink specials) April 16, and the Jenn Howard Band on April 17 and 28. 550 Baronne St., 791-7700, virginhotels.com/new-orleans
Happy Hour on Decatur
Tujague’s has announced a new happy hour, taking place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30-5 p.m. Choose a seat in the bar, the parlor room, the courtyard or the balcony, and enjoy $7 glasses of Tujague’s Private Label red, white, sparkling and rosé; $7 cocktails (seasonal frozen, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Paloma and French 75); $5 local craft beers; and a limited food menu with items like boudin balls, truffle fries, tuna poke, and a cheese and charcuterie board. 429 Decatur St., 525-8676, tujaguesrestaurant.com
Sweet Concoctions
Happy Raptor Distilling has launched a new line of handcrafted premium infused simple syrups—dubbed 504Syrups—made with 100 percent Louisiana cane syrup. The inaugural selection includes a hibiscus syrup and a praline syrup, both crafted with top-notch ingredients (like hibiscus petals, hand-cut citrus, pecans and whole spices). The syrups can be used to jazz up a hot beverage, as a topping on a sno-ball or ice cream, or as an ingredient in cocktails. Every bottle of syrup (16 oz. for $15) is made and bottled on-site at Happy Raptor’s Central City distillery. The syrups join Happy Raptor Distilling’s premium infused 504Rum, which includes 504Hibiscus, 504Bananas Foster, 504Silver, 504Gold and the seasonal 504King Cake. Be on the lookout for new syrup flavors to join the collection soon. 1512 Robert C. Blakes Sr. Drive, 654-6516, happyraptor.com
Spring Sipping
Just in time for spring, Hot Tin – the popular rooftop bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel – has unveiled new seasonal cocktails. Try the “Verde Mart” (vodka, Midori, Suze, fresh-made kiwi syrup and lime, served in a tall Collins glass and garnished with black salt and an orchid) or the “Savoring Spring” (basil/jalapeño-infused vodka with olive brine, lemon and agave, served straight up with a basil leaf garnish). 2031 St. Charles Ave., 323-1500, hottinbar.com
Music to Our Ears
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans now features live music in Chemin à la Mer’s lounge (aka, the Purple Grackle). Amanda Shaw kicked off the pop-up residency in February, and the restaurant is now hosting a rotating lineup of musicians. Brunch specials are available on Saturdays and Sundays with items like Oreilles de Cochon (boudin-stuffed beignets), Oeufs Meurette (burgundy poached eggs with bacon lardons and roasted mushrooms) and Oeufs Mimosa (crawfish tarragon-stuffed deviled eggs). 2 Canal St., 434-5898, fourseasons.com/neworleans
