When spring breezes start to play in the leaves of the live oaks and magnolias that line the lively streets of New Orleans, it’s time to whip up Mardi Gras co*cktails and let the festivities begin! If you can’t make it to southern Louisiana to join the celebrations in person, take your pick from our list of must-try Mardi Gras co*cktail recipes to set the scene for a rollicking fais do-do, cher.
1. Sazerac co*cktail
This iconic Mardi Gras co*cktail also happens to be one of the first co*cktails ever invented! Essentially a celebration of rye whiskey, the Sazerac uses the sweetness of sugar and the complex notes of the bitters to build the co*cktail and show off the character of the rye, so it’s essential to choose a good one. We love Wild Turkey Rye with its vanilla and spice notes, spicy citrus aroma, and long, supple finish.
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2. French 75 co*cktail
If you’re on the lookout for co*cktails for Mardi Gras that pack a bit of a punch, may we please introduce you to the iconic French 75? Named for a field gun used in WWII, this pretty co*cktail has a fair amount of kick but goes down a treat. It combines Bulldog Gin, Prosecco, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to create a tasty Prohibition-era drink that never seems to go out of style.
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3. Hurricane co*cktail
A true holiday resort classic, the Hurricane co*cktail features a duo of iconic rums (we love using Wray & Nephew and Appleton Estate), mixed with fresh orange and passion fruit juice, a dash of simple syrup and grenadine, and a good squeeze of lime to bring it all together! Make sure you honor the name and pour it in a hurricane glass for all the island vibes.
4. Clarified Milk Punch co*cktail
Clarified Milk Punch is a drink that requires a fair amount of prep – it includes 13 ingredients and takes three days to make! However, the result is a sweet, spicy, velvety-smooth drink that is 100% worth the effort. Plus, it has a super cool backstory. According to drink-related folklore, the recipe for Clarified Milk Punch was invented by a 17th-century female spy!
5. Bloody Mary co*cktail
The Bloody Mary recipe will always remain a classic. Fair enough, the ingredients list for this Mardi Gras-inspired co*cktail is pretty long – it contains SKYY Vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, salt, pepper, and paprika (optional)— but its assembly isn’t too finicky. You simply shake it up with ice (twice if you’re feeling fancy) and strain it into a glass. Garnish to the hilt, and serve!
6. Ramos Gin Fizz co*cktail
The extra-creamy cousin of the classic Gin Fizz, the Ramos Gin Fizz calls for 2 oz gin, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, a few dashes of orange flower water, 1 oz cream, 1 egg white and 2 oz club soda. Add all the ingredients, apart from the club soda, to a co*cktail shaker and dry shake for a full minute without ice. Then add ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a serving glass (we like a Collins) and top with soda.
7. Strawberry Daiquiri co*cktail
It’s officially happy hour with the sweet and refreshing Strawberry Daiquiri in the mix. Make it with fresh or frozen strawberries and with just enough citrus juice to kick the flavor up a notch. Remember that your Daiquiri is only as good as the rum you choose, so really invest in a high-quality spirit, like a bottle of Wray & Nephew. Double or triple the ingredients to make a batch ahead and you will never have to buy pre-mixed Daiquiri again!
8. Vieux Carré co*cktail
As far as classic Mardi Gras co*cktails go, you cannot go wrong with a Vieux Carré. The Manhattan-inspired drink takes its name from the French term for the French Quarter, which is the oldest part of New Orleans.This official IBA co*cktail calls for 0.75 oz rye whiskey, 0.75 oz cognac, 0.75 oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso, a few dashes of bitters, and 0.5 oz herbal liqueur. This is all combined in a mixing glass with ice, stirred well, strained into a rocks glass with fresh ice, and garnished with a cherry or a lemon twist.
9. Bourbon Hot Toddy co*cktail
Made with Wild Turkey bourbon, lemon, sugar, spices, and boiling water, this classic Hot Toddy can be customized with your favorite alcohol and fruit flavors. It not only pays tribute to New Orleans’ most famous party centre, Bourbon Street, it’s also the perfect nightcap to serve when you have friends over for a Mardi Gras celebration.
10. Grasshopper co*cktail
Mardi Gras-themed co*cktails should have a bit of nostalgic flair, and the Grasshopper co*cktail certainly scratches this itch. Essentially a creamy, boozy choc-mint milkshake, it is wonderfully easy to make, with just three ingredients: crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and heavy cream. Ultra-indulgent and ever so dreamy.
11. Rum Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is arguably one of the most suave sippers out there. The Rum Old Fashioned is a spiffy spinoff of the original, which turns it into a dapper rum and falernum co*cktail. To make it, add 1.5 oz Appleton Estate Rum, 0.25 oz Trois Rivières rum, 0.25 oz falernum, 1 oz simple syrup, and a dash of bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to combine and fine-strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
12. Brandy Milk Punch
This tasty nightcap is one of the true stalwarts of the co*cktail world. It dates back to at least the 1800s, when brandy-and-rum punches were all the rage. To make one of these easy New Orleans sippers, add 2 oz brandy, 1 oz Appleton Estate rum, 4 oz milk, and 1 oz simple syrup to a co*cktail shaker without ice. Next, add an egg white, a dash of vanilla extract, and ice, and shake very well, until frosty. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, garnish with a grating of fresh nutmeg and serve.
There you have it, 12 amazing Mardi Gras co*cktails to try this year. Tag us in the Instagram pictures of your celebrations, and remember to sign up for our newsletter to receive more delicious inspiration articles delivered straight to your inbox.
