Drinking in New Orleans

Mention New Orleans to anyone and a few words will pop into their heads. Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, open container and debauchery may be just a few. But there is so much more to the city’s drinking culture. It’s ironic that of the places where you can walk around with an open container of alcohol in the United States, the majority are here in the South, where many states still don’t sell alcohol on Sundays and dry counties still exist. They are New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, Memphis‘ Beale Street, Savannah‘s River Street and of course, Las Vegas.

But of the country’s most classic cocktails, many originated here in the Crescent City. Sazerac. Hurricane. French 75. Ramos Gin Fizz. The famous Pimm’s Cup, although British in origin, has taken on new life here. America’s drinking history has New Orleans to thank for many of the cocktails we enjoy today.

With that said, there is no limit to the cheap amounts of high alcohol beverages you can purchase, assuming you are of age, in New Orleans. Many places sling questionable slushie drinks in various shades of the rainbow. In my weekend I consumed a red drink, a green drink and a purple drink. Other bars offer “3 for 1” specials, offering you three beers for the price of one or three shots in your mixed drink for the price of one.

There are some drinks you can’t leave the city without imbibing, whether they are of the classic variety or of the aforementioned colorful type.

• Sazerac: It is the official cocktail of New Orleans and dates back to the 1800s.While cognac was the original base-liquor, whiskey and bourbon are now used.   Many bars now use the Sazerac brand of rye whiskey for this cocktail, whose company also owns Buffalo Trace bourbon, which is used as a whiskey substitute. Try one at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel.
• Hurricane: I’m not big on sweet drinks, but a Hurricane is something you have to try. I declined the $9 souvenir glass, but the majority rum and fruit juice beverage was just as strong. Legend goes that it was difficult to import Scotch during World War II, so bar owners had to settle on rum. It is named for the glass that looks like a hurricane lamp, not the natural disasters that plague the region. You can buy mixes of this drink at stores throughout town, but the best place to try one in person is at Pat O’Brien’s.
• Pimm’s Cup: This drink combines Pimm’s No. 1, Sprite, mint, lemons, cucumber and oranges. The British invented the drink in 1840 but was snatched up by bars down south to combat the humidity. Napoleon House is the best place to try a Pimm’s Cup in New Orleans.
• Purple drink: While any of the fruity daquiris on Bourbon Street will do, I was told to try the “purple drank” at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, a tavern from 1722. The drink tastes a lot like cough syrup but sure does the job.

If you are interested in making your own Sazerac if you can’t make it to the Big Easy, here is the official recipe, taken from the Sazerac website.

The Sazerac

1 cube sugar

1 1/2 ounces (35 mL) Sazerac rye whiskey or Buffalo Trace bourbon

1/4 ounce Herbsaint

3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

lemon peel

Pack an old fashioned glass with ice. In a second glass, place the sugar cube and add bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube. Add the bourbon or whiskey to the glass containing sugar and bitters. Empty the glass containing ice, coat it with Herbsaint and discard the remaining Herbsaint. Empty whiskey mixture into the glass and garnish with lemon peel. Sip and enjoy.

Things to Know

The drinking age in Louisiana and the rest of the United States is 21. While I did see some very young looking people on Bourbon Street and rarely had my ID checked, don’t risk it if you’re underage.

No glass or metal containers are allowed on Bourbon Street so “go cups” are often provided. You may be served in one or there are some by the door that you can switch to as you leave.

Many places don’t let you bring in drinks from other bars so finish one drink before trying to go to another bar.

Some jazz clubs charge a cover or a one drink minimum per set.

Use common sense while drinking in New Orleans. The same rules from home apply. You can still get thrown out of bars for bad behavior. Bourbon Street can get a bit seedy at night, so don’t walk home alone if you can help it.

No drinking and driving. Ever.

Thanks to the New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for their assistance in planning this trip!