Lonely Planet Experiences: New Orleans Cocktail Tour

You’ll begin your tour in the most iconic spot in New Orleans, Jackson Square. From here, the best and most historic bars of The French Quarter are all within a stone’s throw. Don’t expect to spend much time on Bourbon Street though. While it has its place in New Orleans nightlife, we will be going beyond the tourist trail to show you what really makes New Orleans cocktail culture unique.

For your first stop, you will travel back to the 1700s and visit a bar that used to entertain some of the most eccentric characters in New Orleans history. Here, you will taste a famous drink of the city and learn how it has influenced New Orleans drinking culture today.

In a town bearing witness to many hangovers and a place where it’s socially acceptable to drink at any time of day, it’s no surprise New Orleans has a wide range of delicious dessert-like cocktails. On this tour, you will visit one of your guide’s favorite bars and taste a drink so good you’ll forget there’s alcohol in it.

Next up, we will sample the ‘official cocktail of New Orleans’: the Sazerac. One of the first cocktails ever invented, it’s definitely tasty enough to stand the test of time. We will also touch upon the topic of how medicine influenced Sazerac and other cocktails, too.

From here, you will taste another classic New Orleans invention, while exploring some of the oldest bars and restaurants in the French Quarter. You will also get a behind-the-scenes peek into a courtyard oasis, a stunning hidden feature that makes these buildings special, giving well-known customers a classy room to drink in, hidden away from plain sight.

Last but not least, you will visit one of the classiest establishments in New Orleans to try one of the city’s most esteemed drinks, the Ramos Gin Fizz. You’ll learn why this drink is original and exclusive to New Orleans and witness your expert bartender making it. After your first sip, you’ll truly understand why New Orleans has been called, “the cradle of civilized drinking.”

To conclude the tour, your guide will be happy to suggest even more great local creations so you can continue your tour of the extensive New Orleans cocktail trail.