Famous New Orleans Cocktails

Cheers to the city that celebrates history with the best cocktails in New Orleans

Let us all praise Antoine Amédé Peychaud, who mixed the very first Sazerac in his Royal Street pharmacy sometime in the 1830s. Or maybe credit should go to Thomas Handy, a 1870s saloon owner. The truth behind the Sazerac– the first cocktail to come together – is murky. But New Orleans isn’t wondering too much. We’re drinking. The city’s traditional concoctions are more popular than ever -- being shaken and stirred, savored and served, in bars all over town. Try them all – from an eye-opening brandy milk punch to a flaming chicory-coffee-and-cognac Café Brûlot, the quintessential Crescent City nightcap. In a city steeped in history, something as simple as a drink is a celebration and a touchstone to a bygone time. Raise a glass to New Orleans’ past and a toast to some of the city’s more famous cocktails. 

Neal Bodenheimer, Bar owner & Author | "In New Orleans it's more than making drinks; it's personal"
Neal Bodenheimer, Bar owner & Author | "In New Orleans it's more than making drinks; it's personal"

The Mimosa

The Mimosa, created in Paris, has weaved its way into New Orleans culture like most things French.

Mint Julep

Although mint juleps have been associated with the Kentucky Derby since 1875, genteel folk were…

Daiquiris

The daiquiri is a classic Cuban cocktail that was easily adopted and adored by the city of New…

The Sazerac

A Creole apothecary created the Sazerac in his shop on Royal Street. It has changed over time but is…

Videos About the New Orleans Cocktail Scene