'Tis the season to shake up your normal cocktail routine. Whether you’re off to catch a quick cocktail with friends, an intimate dinner or ‘show face’ at an annual holiday party, we have you covered. In a city like New Orleans there is plenty to see, sip and taste. But where do you go to keep things festive? How do you narrow down the list? We'll pick a few fabulous places, make our list, and sit back and await the arrival of ‘Ol Saint Nick-with cocktail in hand (or hands).
Here are just a few of our faves. Let’s have some cocktail fun and embrace the yuletide spirit. Emphasis on spirits.
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 (321 N. Peters St.) is hosting its Sippin’ Santa event, which runs now though New Year’s Day. If you are looking for creative drinks with a holiday flare, the team has come up with several amazing cocktails – many that include rum, coconut, allspice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg syrup or even macadamia nut liqueur. Now that’s what we call merriment in a glass.
Loa Bar (221 Camp St.) features its early holiday menu. It runs everyday from 4-6 p.m. Cocktails here are $9, with a variety of options and festive cocktails they say will keep you coming back for more.
When creating our list, we simply couldn’t resist Reveillon on the Rocks. This is where bars and restaurants create festive holiday libations meant to be enjoyed with a meal…or alone. Several places are creating fabulous drinks this year.
Cafe Degas (3127 Esplanade Ave.) is offering a Ruby Port with its dinner.
Muriel’s (801 Chartres St.) is serving its seasonal eggnog.
And who can resist the Puerto Rican style eggnog or the smoked cranberry daiquiri at SoBou (310 Chartres St.)?
Over at Vacherie Restaurant (827 Toulouse St.) nothing is better than their “Poinsettia” sparkling wine cranberry cocktail.
Bistreaux inside the Maison Dupuy Hotel (1001 Toulouse St.) has conjured up a barrel-aged sidecar with cognac, lemon and a hint of simple syrup.
To find out everyone taking part in this fun holiday tradition just visit followyourjoy.com.
Next stop is Bar Tonique (820 N Rampart St.) Here, bartender Anna Giordano says mostly all drinks are dealers choice. You pick the flavors and alcohol base, and they make you something fabulous. The team is stocked up on holiday ingredients. “Tell us your best concoction and we look forward to the challenge of making a holiday cocktail for you,” she says. This is a great festive excursion with cocktails top of mind.
Further up the road, Meaux Bar (942 N Rampart St.) bar manager Gillian White says she is thrilled about the Covey Rise Pumpkin libation, which is juiced fresh with holiday flavors including a pineapple spiced liqueur. Get this, she is also featuring a cosmopolitan with a holiday twist. This cocktail has vodka with blueberry and pine vina amaro. Drink Up Nola says: To die for!
With some of the best, inventive and creative cocktail minds in the world right here in New Orleans, we have you covered this holiday season.
Be it shaken, stirred, muddled or served straight up, this is where the festivities are celebrated in classic Crescent City style. We think Kris Kringle would be proud.
Cheers!
Have a super fabulous cocktail story or experience to share? Let us know where you like to enjoy your libations. email us at Info@victorynola.com
Daniel Victory is the owner of New Orleans Drink Lab. If you are really feeling adventurous this season, grab your friends and stop in at 343 Baronne St. Here you’ll learn the history, culture and tradition of classic holiday cocktails, then get behind the bar and make them yourself. Master classes are $65 a person and tons of fun.
