As our friend at Cocktail Garnish pointed out “[…] a good drink has as much to do with the ingredients outside the glass as those in it.”
Sadly, more like thankfully, we couldn’t make it to all of New Orleans’ fine bars. But we sure did try. Each of the following are a guaranteed to serve a fine drink.
Bar Uncommon - 817 Common St. Call ahead to see if the gravelly voiced Chris McMillian is working. He’s a legend in this town and known to bartenders far and wide. Check out his You Tube videos. Whether or not Mr. McMillian is there, the bartenders know what they’re doing.
Cure - 4905 Freret St. Cure is a 15 minute cab ride from the French Quarter and worth it. Excellent original cocktails like the Drink of Laughter & Forgetting made with Cynar, Green Chartreuse, lime, demerara and bitters and the Good Cocktail with Angostura rum, Gran Classico, house-made orgeat and lemon. The drink menu is as warm and inviting as the beautiful space and friendly staff.
Sazerac Bar - Located in gilded halls of The Roosevelt New Orleans hotel. It’s the bar where Huey P. Long learned to love the Ramos Gin Fizz. When he couldn’t find a decent one in New York, he called the Roosevelt and told them to send their “best gin fizzer.” True story. Order a Ramos.
Napoleon House - Bourbon St. Originally built to be a home for Napoleon, this bar/restaurant is a great place to get a Pimms Cup on a hot afternoon. Oh, and try the boudin— a cajun pork and rice sausage.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop - 941 Bourbon St. Some say it may be the oldest bar in the United States. Other say it was originally owned by the pirate Jean Lafitte. All I know is that the bartender at this cave-like tavern served us a mean Bartender’s Handshake and gave Chris 10 ounces of 120 proof Green Chartreuse. Maybe it was because he couldn’t see. See, it’s all candle-lit like a night scene from Barry Lyndon and the only electricity in the place is used to power the fridge, cash register and possibly a telegraph.
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