On our recent visit to New Orleans, we discovered several cocktails that were created in that fabulous town. They take their cocktail-making quite seriously and we took our “testing” seriously too. Yumm.
Hurricaine
The creation of this passion fruit–colored relative of a Dauquiri drink is credited to New Orleans tavern owner Pat O’Brien. He poured the concoction into hurricane lamp-shaped glasses and gave it away to sailors. The drink caught on, and it has been a mainstay in the French Quarter ever since.
Find a recipe here.
Ramos Gin Fizz
The first printed reference to a fizz (spelled “fiz”) is in the 1887 edition of Jerry Thomas’ Bartender’s Guide, which contains six fizz recipes. The Fizz became widely popular in America between 1900 and the 1940s. Known as a hometown specialty of New Orleans, the Gin Fizz was so popular that bars would employ scrums of bartenders working in teams that would take turns shaking the fizzes.
Find a recipe here.
Mint Julep
The mint julep originated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel during his residence in the city.The term “julep” is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine.
Find a recipe here.
Sazerac
Named for the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of Cognac, this It is sometimes referred to as the oldest known American cocktail, with origins in pre–Civil War New Orleans.
Find a recipe here.
Image Credits: tripesandcaviar.com, personalrecipe.com, epicurious.com, flickr4jazz,
Drink History Credits: Wikipedia
