five classic new orleans cocktails for mardi gras

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Are you celebrating Fat Tuesday and want to incorporate some classic New Orleans cocktails into the mix? These cocktails are absolutely perfect. From the spirit forward sazarac to the easy-sipping pimms cup, one or more of these is sure to make your party or home-cooked cajun dinner evening complete! If you want to hear about my favorite cocktail bars in New Orleans, check out my New Orleans travel guide!

sazerac

the cocktail

First mentioned in 1899, this cocktail was invented in a pharmacy in New Orleans where they combined Peychaud’s bitters and cognac, and then switched to rye over the years. Composed of rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and absinthe, this stirred cocktail is a true American classic.

the glass

One of my go-to rocks glasses, this Schott Zweisel double old fashioned glass is perfect for pretty much any cocktail. Simple and elegantly crafted, it is a perfect glass to have on hand for old fashioneds, sazaracs, and more!

the recipe

2 oz rye

4 dashes peychaud'‘s bitters

.5 oz simple syrup

absinthe to coat the glass

1 lemon peel

the method

Chill your glass by placing in the freezer for about 15 minutes or by filling with ice and cold water. Add ice to a mixing glass. Combine the rye, Peychauds, and simple syrup and stir heartily. This cocktail is served with no ice so it is important to attain proper dilution at this step. Retrieve your serving glass, add absinthe, and swirl it around to coat the inside of the glass, then dispense with the excess. Strain your sazerac mixture from your mixing glass into your serving glass. Express a lemon twist above your cocktail and throw it away or drop it right in!

absinthe frappé

the cocktail

The Absinthe Frappé was historically, somewhat amusingly, a breakfast drink! I suppose there are lot of herbs involved but I can think of few things that would be a more wild way to start the day. The 1800’s hit different I suppose! This pick me up is cold, refreshing, strong, and favored by the likes of Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain. Learn more about the absinthe frappé in our Cocktails in Context post about them!

the glass

The traditional absinthe glass featured is available at amazon or sur la table - for a classic look. Or go for the julep glass - either is the perfect fit for this cocktail!

the recipe

• 1 oz Absinthe

• .5 oz Simple syrup

• 2 oz soda water

• Lots of crushed ice

• Mint

the method

Fill an absinthe, collins, rocks, or julep glass halfway with crushed ice.Add absinthe and simple syrup to cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until chilled, about 12 seconds, and strain into your glass. Stir, fill the rest of the glass with crushed ice, then garnish with a hearty handful of mint. Enjoy!

vieux carré

the cocktail

the glass

Vintage silver rimmed rocks glass inspired by Dorothy Thorpe!

the recipe

• .5 ounce rye

• .5 ounce Cognac

• .5 ounce sweet vermouth

• .25 oz Benedictine

• 1 dash Peychauds bitters

• 1 dash Angostura bitters

• the method

Shake all ingredients in tin. Strain into cocktail glass over ice and garnish with a lemon twist!

drink and laughter and forgetting

the cocktail

Bitter, herbal, and powerful, this unique cocktail is a modern classic from the venerable cocktail bar called “Cure”. Founded by Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal in 2009, Cure is one of the neighborhood bars that helped rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. This cocktail shows why this spot has James Beard award winning cocktails!

the glass

This Nick and Nora glass was absolutely perfect for this cocktail served up!

the recipe

• 1.5 oz cynar

• .5 oz Green chartreuse

• ¾ oz Lime

• .5 oz rich demerara (pg 13 in book)

• 14 drops angostura bitters

• the method

Shake all ingredients in tin. Strain into cocktail glass, and spray angostura bitters on top for a garnish!

pimms cup

the cocktail

The Pimm’s cup was brought across the Atlantic and made famous at The Napoleon House bar in the French Quarter in the late 1940s. Lore says that it was chosen for its refreshing nature and its low abv, so that folks who were drinking all day would have a better chance of staying afloat. Honestly, both of those traits make it seem like perfect for Vegas as well, and I’m sure I’ll revisit it this summer when I will be desperate for some cool air! I wonder if it will ever catch on on the strip? In New Orleans the Pimm’s cup is commonly prepared with one-part Pimm’s No. 1, three-parts lemonade, a splash of 7up and a cucumber garnish.

The fun, fruit-filled nature of this cocktail means it can be adapted in endless ways. Throw some seasonal fruits and herbs in, or even get wild by mixing the Pimms no. 1 with another spirit like tequila, rum, or whiskey for more variety in your Pimm’s cup.To learn more about the Pimm’s Cup check out our cocktails in context post about it!

the glass

Vintage crystal highball glass! Here are some similar ones found on etsy!

the recipe

• 2 oz Pimm's no. 1 liqueur

• 3 oz sparkling lemonade or citrus soda

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

• Sliced or strips of cucumbers

• Thin lemon slices

• Cucumber slices, strawberry slices, lemon slices, mint leaves, basil leaves for garnish

the method

Grab a highball glass and gently press cucumber against the sides of the glass with a bar spoon to release the flavor. Fill the glass with ice, pour your Pimms no. 1 in, and throw in some strawberries, thin lemon slices, and whatever else you’re using! Add the lemon juice, top with sparkling lemonade or ginger beer, and garnish with mint, basil, or whatever other herbs you have around! I used basil this time, because the mint wasn’t looking too hot at Trader Joe’s this week, but you can get creative!

There you go! Five classic New Orleans cocktails perfect for Mardi Gras. Does anyone want a deep dive Cocktails in Context post about any of these lovely classics? Let me know in the comments. And if you make any of these beauties make sure to tag us on Instagram @kindred.spirits.cocktails!