Drinks, New Orleans

Favorite thing: One of my favorite unique drinks that I tried while in New Orleans on this last trip was at the Oceana Grill called the Rajun Cajun Bloody Mary. It has a little kick added into the normal Bloody Mary recipe, and included Absolute Peppar vodka. The typical worchestershire sauce and tabasco were added, but I think I tasted a little horseradish as well.

Overall, I would rate this as the best drink I had on the weekend, and would recommend that you try one of these when you visit New Orleans!

Favorite thing: During our stay, we were able to sample a couple of the beers that New Orleans had to offer. During my dinner at Zeke's, I sampled the Dixie and the Abita Amber.

Although I did not like the Abita Amber, I did like its cousin, the Abita Turbo Dog very much.

The Dixie was a little lower end, but it tasted just fine with my po boy!

Enjoy these beers, but drink responsibly!

Fondest memory: Dixie Brewing
2401 Tulane Avenue
New Orleans LA 70119

Abita Brewing
PO Box 1510
Abita Springs, LA 70420

Favorite thing: A trip to New Orleans is typically synonymous with the overconsumption of alcohol. Imbibing is practically mandatory in the French Quarter. I've never seen anywhere else where booze is served up so joyfully, so inexpensively and with so few restrictions. All throughout the Quarter you'll see folks walking along with their 'to go' cups. Most establishments have their own signature drink. Rumor has it the Big Easy even has drive through daquiri stands.

The little Hand Grenade man is a permanent fixture at the corner of Bourbon and St. Peter's. He pushes the Tropical Isle's Hand Grenade: 'the most potent drink in New Orleans.'

Favorite thing: As the saying goes..."wherever you go, whatever you do, sampling the local beer is definite must."

What do the locals drink, what beer is most popular, which beer is hardest to find, does it come in a half pint glass just like grandma used to drink…or better still, a full pint glass like I drink??? These are all good questions that need to be answered...

In NOLA, that beer is Abita!!! In addition to their standard beers, Golden, Purple Haze, Turbo Dog and my personal favorite Amber; the little brewery in Abita Springs, Louisiana brews up a variety of seasonal beers such as Bock, Red Ale, Wheat, Fall Fest and a Christmas Ale. Oh, and they also make root beer.

Favorite thing: A friend recently was taken aback by the fact that I had never heard of Martin's Wine Cellar, despite the fact of my obsession with wine. I drink a lot of wine (for the health benefits, of course!) and had never visited this place, until recently. What a find! This place has the greatest assortment of fine and rare wines in New Orleans. It is convienently located right off of St Charles Ave. on Baronne St. So, if you are ever in need of some good wine, may I suggest for a picnic at one of the parks, then this should be your one-stop-shop.

Contact info:

3827 Baronne St
New Orleans, LA 70115-5311

Phone 504.899.7411 or 800.298.4274
Monday thru Saturday 9am to 7pm
(deli 6:30pm)
Sunday 10am to 4pm

Favorite thing: Royal Blend Coffee & Tea House has internet access upstairs. It's located at 621 Royal Street in the French Quarter. It costs $3 for 15 minutes, $5 for 30 minutes and $8 for an hour. Knowing you VTers, you should inquire about bulk rates. They offer packages in which you can buy more time at better rates.

Fondest memory: Royal Blend is located inside a nice courtyard and the coffee is good. I noticed 2 or 3 other internet cafes throughout the Quarter, so never fear, you'll always be connected to VT while in town.

Favorite thing: With Hurricane Isidore about to hit New Orleans, a lot of business' sandbagged their doors and bordered up their windows. Of course the shutters work well in New Orleans as well. There was a door still bordered up with this sign.... referring both to the Hurricane about to hit... and the famous Hurricane drink of New Orleans.

Favorite thing: Drink a hurricane. We tried several different hurricanes at different bars, and not one of them was the same. Pat O'Briens kicked our butts, they definately have the strongest hurricanes. The best were at Pappa Joes, they tasted like slightly watered down grenadine. Yum!!

Fondest memory: OneTitShot.com, We Sell Cigarettes, the Corn Cob Pipe (damn everyone for not bringing papers!), Shrooms, New septum jewelry, getting soaked, and oh yeah, Casey's stained feet!

Favorite thing: Do a lot of drinking! Open container policy on the streets with beer and hurricanes sold everywhere. Try to fit in, and the best way to do that is to drink up my good people.

Fondest memory: It's not every day you can buy grain alcohol drinks! Two of these and you're well on your way. Here is a picture of me with one of the locals!

Favorite thing: THE absolute best book on New Olreans bars is
Obituary Cocktail: The Great Saloons of New Orleans by Kerri McCaffety. Great pictures. Complete history. Exceptional read. I highly recommend it.

The front cover photo is of behind the bar at the Napolean House.