Birdy’s Behind the Bower, the charming restaurant in the Lower Garden District, has released an array of fall cocktails with a flair for the tropics. For example, the Chinola Aperol Spritz features Dominican Chinola, Aperol, sparkling wine and soda. Meanwhile, the Spicy Green Bird perks things up with tequila blanco, Ancho Reyes green poblano, and fresh lime and pineapple juices. Or try the Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink made with cachaça, muddled lime, sugar and plenty of ice. 1320 Magazine St., 504-302-2992, birdysnola.com
Top Tastings
The Bombay Club is partnering with a featured spirit each month through the end of the year to offer a tasting event with straight tasting pours and a choice of three curated cocktails – all accompanied by small bites and live music. The event takes place on the first Wednesday of every month (Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6), and tickets are $40. 830 Conti St., 504-577-2237, bombayclubneworleans.com
Bring on the Bourbon
Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon launched its new savory and smoky Double Char Bourbon in May, and it’s now available in New Orleans. The Double Char Bourbon is first aged for six years in new white American oak, followed by a minimum of five months in a second heavily charred and smoked new barrel. bibandtuckerbourbon.com
Bubbly Jubilee
Bubbles at Brennan’s, the iconic pink restaurant’s happy hour, Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., features Champagne sabering in the courtyard (at 5 p.m.), reduced prices on selections of top Champagnes and sparkling wines, and bar snacks (available beginning at 2 p.m.). 417 Royal St., 504-525-9711, brennansneworleans.com
In the Spirit
Anna’s, a local pub in the Marigny, is offering a spooky cocktail menu this month. Expect cocktails built around Halloween hues with beverages that are blood red, the darkest black and an eerie orange. 2601 Royal St., 504-766-8376, annasnola.com
Art + Libations
Café NOMA at the New Orleans Museum of Art hosts Wednesday Night Happy Hour, 3-6 p.m., featuring $6 cocktails like the NOMA-Groni (gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and an orange wedge), along with $6 wines by the glass and $5 beers and a rotating selection of small plates. 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 504-381-5107, cafenoma.com
Tiny but Mighty
Atlanta-based canned cocktail company Tip Top Proper Cocktails has brought its bartender-crafted selection of classic ready-to-drink cocktails to New Orleans. Crafted by acclaimed Atlanta mixologist and seven-time James Beard Award nominee, Miles Macquarrie, the 100-ml cocktails include Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini, Bee’s Knees, Daiquiri, Gin Martini, Manhattan, Margarita, Negroni and, most recently, Jungle Bird. An eighth cocktail, the Boulevardier, will be released this month. tiptopcocktails.com
Signature Sparkling
Commander’s Palace has released its first nationally available private wine label, Crémant de Bourgogne Brut. The signature pinot noir-based sparkling wine is produced in partnership with Terres Secrètes and made with grapes from the Mâconnais region of Burgundy. Expect hints of red berries and light spice-forward notes with a toasty richness to finish. Try the wine by the half-glass, glass and bottle at the historic restaurant. Commander’s Palace also will release a collection of branded cocktail mixers before the end of the year. 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221, commanderspalace.com
