These days Mardi Gras may be associated with New Orleans, but this day of celebration has been in existence long before Mardi Gras was even established. Technically, Mardi Gras refers to the last day before the Christian season of Lent, where individuals fast and sacrifice a pleasure or luxury. So, naturally then, Mardi Gras became the day of eating fatty foods before the fasting began. However, food is just the beginning of the celebrations in New Orleans: Parades, costumes, Bourbon Street, and plenty of drinks.
In a city known for its cocktails, there are plenty of options for a classic New Orleans Mardi Gras drink. But these are our picks for the best whiskey cocktails to celebrate Mardi Gras.
1. Sazerac
No Mardi Gras celebration would be complete without the official cocktail of New Orleans. This drink has been the queen of New Orleans’ cocktails since 1838 and its popularity doesn’t seem to be waning. It’s a deceptively simple cocktail, calling for rye whiskey, sugar, a few drops of Peychaud’s bitters, and a bit of absinthe to rinse the glass. For an extra bit of celebration, try using Sazerac Rye as the base.
2. A La Louisiane
The Sazerac may be the cocktail of New Orleans, but this one is all about Louisiana. An early 1900s cocktail, the A La Louisiane hasn’t quite found its way back into modern popularity – so here’s your chance to make that happen. Similar to the Sazerac, you’ll need rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, and absinthe, except in this case the absinthe gets left in the glass. A bit of sweet vermouth and Bénédictine round out everything for this delicious drink.
3. Vieux Carré
Sweet and botancial, the Vieux Carré is a pretty sophisticated way to celebrate Mardi Gras. Born out of the jazz scene in 1930s New Orleans, the Vieux Carré is a French inspired cocktail (in case the name didn’t give that away). Although the base is rye whiskey, this cocktail still loads in sweet portions of sweet vermouth and cognac, along with herbal Bénédictine. It’s a complex cocktail that’ll have you falling in l’amour.
4. Bourbon Street Blues
It’s hard to feel blue on Bourbon Street, especially during Mardi Gras, and the Bourbon Street Blues will definitely keep the blues away. This cocktail is only 40 years old, which is quite new next to the centuries old New Orleans creations on this list. However, it’s a sweet and fruity cocktail that’s easy to make, so we couldn’t resist throwing it into the mix. As the name suggests, the Bourbon Street Blues calls for bourbon as the base, plus some sweet vermouth, bitters, and Crème de Mûre (blackberry liqueur).
5. Bourbon Milk Punch
If you’re looking for a way to start the Mardi Gras celebrations at breakfast, then take the Bourbon Milk Punch for a spin. The original version of this creamy cocktail highlighted Brandy, but his modern version is all about the bourbon. With whole milk, simple syrup, vanilla, and a garnish of nutmeg, the Bourbon Milk Punch is a great way to start or end the Mardi Gras day.
6. Bourbon Fizz
A variation on the classic Ramos Gin Fizz, the Bourbon Fizz is a velvety and refreshing cocktail. The bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup may feel similar to a Whiskey Sour, but the soda and egg white give the whole cocktail a lift – literally.
You can let the good times roll with any of these New Orleans drinks for Mardi Gras. To choose the best bottle of bourbon or rye for your cocktails in our whiskey reviews.
