New Orleans

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

New Orleans The Art of the Cocktail

A January 2008 trip to New Orleans by Michael Green

Many argue that the Big Easy is where the cocktail was invented

  • 11 reviews

New Orleans The Art of the CocktailBest of IgoUgo

Overview

While the origins of the cocktail are still debated, there’s no doubt that New Orleans is an amazing city to enjoy them. Many argue that the Big Easy is the place where the modern cocktail was invented, and considering the rich bar culture of legendary artists, restaurateurs, and famous characters that have frequented the cities more famous gin joints, would it be any surprise?

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Lilette RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Lilette"

This quaint, French-tile lined bistro is consistently ranked among New Orleans’ top 10. Not surprisingly, their signature cocktail, the Lilette Rouge, contains Lilette muddled with orange and lime, served on the rocks topped with a splash of Champagne. After a long day of walking in the historic uptown district, this is one of my favorite drinks, because it is light, low in alcohol, and just the right thing before dinner
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Lilette Restaurant
3637 Magazine St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
(504) 895-1636

Arnaud's RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Inside Arnaud’s, the sprawling historical restaurant open since 1918, is a fantastic cigar bar called the French 75 Bar. It is named after one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails, made with a mixture of brandy and Champagne. After drinks, tour the Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum within Arnaud’s, which features a collection of more than two dozen gowns worn by the “Queen of Mardi Gras,” who reigned over 22 Mardi Gras balls from 1937 to 1968.
www.arnauds.com
(866) 230-8895
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Arnaud's Restaurant
813 Bienville St New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
+1 504 523 5433: +1

Cuvee RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

One of New Orleans’ finest restaurants, Cuvee also houses one of the most educated wine staffs in the city, with one of the most interesting wine menus, too. It’s not the most expansive list in the city, but certainly one of the most thoughtful, offering a great mix of new- and old-world selections at various price ranges. The food, French- and Spanish-infused Creole, is certainly worth the visit itself, but if you’re in need of a nice glass of wine, look no further than the brick walls and relaxed atmosphere of Cuvee.
www.restaurantcuvee.com
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Cuvee Restaurant
322 Magazine Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 587-9001

Brennan'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Brennan’s is the namesake restaurant of one of New Orleans’ most legendary families, who also happen to own Commander’s Palace and Café Adelaide. Breakfast here may be a bit of a splurge for eggs and turtle soup, but the real secret of Brennan’s is that it houses one of the most beautiful courtyards in New Orleans. Go have a brandy-milk punch to start your day, and meet some of the nicest folks in the French Quarter.
http://www.brennansneworleans.com/
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Brennan's
417 Royal St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 525 9711

Muriel's Jackson SquareBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Muriel’s Jackson Square is a huge restaurant, with one not-to-be-missed feature: the only public outdoor patio on Jackson Square. With the one exception of this ornate restaurant, all other patios on the square are privately owned. Go upstairs, grab Muriel’s fantastic brandy-milk punch, and feel like royalty, gazing out upon one of New Orleans’ most beautiful points.
www.muriels.com
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Muriel's Jackson Square
801 Chartres Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
504-568-1885

Napoleon House Bar & CafeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Napolean House"

Founded in the early 1800s, this cocktail bar is as classic as they come. Its first occupant, Nicholas Girod, was mayor of New Orleans from 1812 to 1815, and offered Napoleon his home as refuge during his banishment. Although Napoleon never took him up on the offer, the name stuck, and this bar has always been known as the Napoleon House. Come have a Pimm’s cup (the signature drink) in this historic setting, and look out for cocktail and food pairing dinners held every few months.
www.napoleonhouse.com
(504) 524-9752
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 524 9752

The Carousel Bar at the Monteleone HotelBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The aptly named Carousel Bar is built on a working carousel, but turns so slowly that it will never disrupt your revelry. This old-fashioned piano bar has such a rich New Orleans history, one wouldn’t be surprised to find Tennesee Williams sitting in the corner. It was one of his favorite bars, after all, along with Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway. For that and other reasons, The Carousel Bar is one of only three hotels in America listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An in-house piano player helps smooth the evening along most nights, making this one of the most relaxing circus-themed establishments ever.
www.hotelmonteleone.com/leisure/carouselbar.html
(504) 523-3341
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

The Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel
214 Royal St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 523-3341

Cafe Adelaide's Swizzle Stick BarBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Owned by the Brennan family (of Commander’s Palace fame), the Swizzle Stick Bar offers specialty drinks not to be missed. The café is named after legendary New Orleans socialite Adelaide Brennan, who personified New Orleans luxury in the 1950s, sporting (at various times) a blue fur, a pink fur, a mink, a sable, and a monkey coat with a matching hat. The bar is named after the “swizzle stick,” a bar utensil, and specializes in many of the cocktails made popular during Adelaide’s day.
www.cafeadelaide.com
(504) 595-3305
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Cafe Adelaide's Swizzle Stick Bar
300 Poydras St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 595-3305

Loa Bar at International House HotelBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Loa Bar @ International House Hotel"

Located in the center of town, just off the French Quarter, the International House offers one of the coolest, most modern bar scenes around, without losing the spirit of old New Orleans. This is just the place for a pre-dinner martini, or even just a stylish venue to escape the madness of Bourbon Street, which will seem a million miles away once you walk through the doors. Try the house cocktail, the Loatini, made with Absolut Kurant, orange and pineapple juices, Veuve Clicquot NV Champagne, and garnished with an organic edible flower.
www.ihhotel.com
(504) 553-9550
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Loa Bar at International House Hotel
221 Camp St. New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 553-9550

MelangeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Melange @ the Ritz-Carlton"

Located on the third floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Melange is home to one of New Orleans’ greatest treasures: Jeremy Davenport, one of the most talented trumpet players alive, who performs here Thursday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Davenport is reminiscent of Harry Connick Jr., with a lively stage presence and a sound that seems like it's been transported from an earlier era.
www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/NewOrleans/Dining/Default.html
(504) 524-1331
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Michael Green on January 8, 2008

Melange
921 Canal St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
(504) 524-1331

About the Writer

Michael Green
Michael Green
New York, New York
  • "As Gourmet magazine's Wine and Spirits Consultant, I travel the world for Gourmet's Promotion Depart..."
  • 8 journals
  • 0 photos
  • 57 reviews

Get the Word Out

Share this travel journal beyond IgoUgo with your favorite sharing tools.