Cocktails in the Big Easy

I have finally made my pilgrimage to the fine city of New Orleans, arguably one of the birth places of the cocktail. I was lucky enough to go to New Orleans to host a presentation for the Hilton Hotel on the importance of a "Fresh Cocktail" program.

After the presentation I had a couple of nights to explore the city and go on the hunt for a few Sazerac's and any other tasty cocktails I could find. New Orleans is a city filled with a great drinking history. First, I found The Napoleon House (est. 1797) and had a Pimm's Cup. They have been famously serving this great drink since 1914.....

Next, I was off to The Hotel Monteleone to have a cocktail at the famous Carousel Bar. The seats at this beautiful circular bar slowly rotate around the bar like a Carousal. I enjoyed a classic Vieux Carre cocktail and wondered how the bartender could keep up with his customers when every time he looked up, the customer he just served was now slowly moving away. As I was in New Orleans, I had to find the home of the Hurricane cocktail & find it I did, all 20 oz of it at Pat O'Brien's Pub. A couple of other great bars to look out for are Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, claiming to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States. The Old Absinthe House has a beautiful bar with these incredibly old Absinthe taps fixed on the bar, used back in the day when it was illegal to mix water into ones Absinthe cocktail.

The highlight of my trip was finding Chris McMillan at the Library Bar in the Ritz Hotel. Chris is known for his skills of making the Mint Julep. Not only does he slowly and lovingly make one of the best Juleps I have ever had, but he does it while reciting "Ode to the Mint Julep", a beautiful poem written in the 1890's by J. Soule Smith. Chris is an incredible bartender who loves what he does and is extremely knowledgeable about everything related to Spirits & Cocktails. Make sure the next time you are in New Orleans, stop by and enjoy one of his Mint Juleps.

Look out for the upcoming "Tales of The Cocktail" which is held in New Orleans every year in July and is all about celebrating and learning about the Cocktail. Check out their web site at www.talesofthecocktail.com.

Cheers for now! - Jacques

Comments

[Liliana Ambriz]

After read the article I would like to visit New Orleans and visit this places :)