Sip your way around the historic French Quarter.

New Orleans gets a lot of things right – food, music, art, and our cocktails. After all, the first cocktail ever created was made right here in the crescent city. If you love sipping cocktails surrounded by lush greenery, or soaking in the view as a 200-year-old carousel slowly spins, then keep reading to discover the best classic cocktails invented in New Orleans and where to find them in the French Quarter. 

The Vieux Carré

Founder: Walter Bergeron
Ingredients: Rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, Angostura bitters, and Peychaud bitters 
Where to Find it: The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone

Give this cocktail a whirl in the very place it was created, The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone. Dating back to the 1930s, the recipe was inspired by the diverse cultures of the French Quarter. The Cognac and Bénédictine pay homage to the French, the Sweet Vermouth to the Italian, the Rye Whiskey to the Americans, and the Bitters to the Islanders of the Caribbean. The Carousel Bar also features live music Wednesday through Saturday, so be sure to check out the entertainment schedule.

The Sazerac

Founder: Antoine Amédée Peychaud
Ingredients: Cognac or Rye Whiskey cocktail with sugar, bitters, and absinthe
Where to Find It: Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel 

The Sazerac, Louisiana’s official state cocktail, came to life in 1838 when Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud combined his namesake bitters with his favorite French Brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et fils, at his pharmacy on Royal Street. Rye substituted Cognac in 1870, absinthe was added, and the Sazerac as we know it was born. Today, you can enjoy this simple and potent drink at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel, where it has been served since 1938.  

The French 75

Founder: Shrouded in debate
Ingredients: Gin, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup
Where to Find It: The French 75 Bar at Arnaud’s Restaurant 

Like many historic cocktails, the origins of how the French 75 came to be are debated. Nevertheless, we do know that this WWI-era cocktail gets its name from the French 75mm field gun. Marrying a generous pour of gin and crisp champagne with a touch of lemon and sweetness, it’s easy to see why this elegant balance of flavors has stood the test of time. You can try this perfect French Quarter cocktail at the eponymous bar at Arnaud’s Restaurant, The French 75 Bar.  

The Gin Fizz

Founder: Henry C. Ramos
Ingredients: Gin, lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, cream, orange flower water, egg white
Where to Find It: Bar Tonique 

This velvety take on the classic gin fizz was created by Henry C. Ramos at his Imperial Cabinet Saloon in New Orleans in 1888. Adding cream, egg white, lime juice, orange flower water, and a vigorous shake to the classic gin fizz recipe, Ramos’ namesake results in a creamy, citrusy concoction with a signature froth to top it off. Bar Tonique serves a masterful Ramoz Gin Fizz, owing in part to their dedication to the vigorous shake. Located across from famed Armstrong Park, it’s a wonderful place to grab a crafted cocktail and stroll.

The Hurricane

Founder: Pat O’Brien and Charlie Cantrell
Ingredients: Light and dark rum, passion fruit and orange juice, grenadine, and lemon or lime juice
Where to Find It: Pat O’Brien’s  

Named for the hurricane lamp glass it’s served in, this specialty punch recipe was born from a city-wide surplus of rum and a shortage of whiskey in the 1940s. You can still sip on this New Orleans staple at its birthplace, Pat O’Brien’s, which operated as a speakeasy until prohibition was repealed. They use hand-crafted grenadine and juice puree for the freshest flavor. Not to mention, if you’re lucky, you can catch the renowned dueling piano show.

Which of these classic New Orleans cocktails will you try first? Pack your walking shoes and get ready to sip on some history. 

Book your next trip to New Orleans today and discover all the attractions that NOLA has to offer, in the French Quarter and beyond!