15 Best Mardi Gras Drinks to Let the Good Times Roll
Shake up a round of cocktails from the Big Easy.
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Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday) is the centuries-old tradition of celebrating one last time before Ash Wednesday and the Christian observance of Lent begins. And no one does it quite like New Orleans! The carnival season lasts for weeks with parades and festivities, culminating with one last bash on that designated Tuesday. There's live music, so much delicious food, rich desserts, and of course, lots of Mardi Gras drinks.
These days, you don't need to be Christian or even in New Orleans to let the good times roll. You can make plenty of their classic cocktail recipes right at home to get in the festive spirit. From fruity cocktails like the Bourbon Street favorite hurricane and sweet frozen drinks like daiquiris to boozer bourbon cocktails, there's something for every type of partygoer. (There's also a mocktail recipe included for the kiddos and non-drinkers to enjoy.)
Because the history of Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years, you'll find lots of old timey-inspired drinks with names you may not have heard before like vieux carre (ooh la la, how French) and brandy crusta. But not to worry, they're all made with modern ingredients that you'll be able to find in time for your party. So break out that blender or cocktail shaker, put on your purple, green, and gold, and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Hurricane Cocktail
The hurricane is so popular, it even has its own curvy glass! You don't need to have those to mix up this sweet drink, though. Simple shake up some rum, grenadine, and passion fruit, orange, lime, and pineapple juices.
Get the Hurricane Cocktail recipe.
Milk Punch
Think eggnog without the eggs! Famed French Quarter restaurants like Arnaud's and Brennan's have been serving this creamy concoction since the 1930s. Spike it with bourbon or brandy.
Get the Milk Punch recipe.
Sidecar Cocktail
The sidecar made its way to New Orleans sometime after World War I. It's a well-balanced mix of cognac or bourbon, orange liquor, and lemon juice. Add a sugared rim for a touch of sweetness.
Get the Sidecar Cocktail recipe.
Hot Toddy
Yes, they serve a cold weather drink in a hot climate! Hot toddies are great for those chillier, rainy days in New Orleans. Use bourbon rather than whiskey for a more authentic sip.
Get the Hot Toddy recipe.
Strawberry Daiquiri
Oh, you'll find all kinds of daiquiris down in the Big Easy. And making your own couldn't be easier! You just throw five ingredients into the blender and give it a whirl.
Get the Strawberry Daiquiri recipe.
French 75 Cocktail
While the French 75 isn't solely a New Orleans thing, it does make sense to drink it on Mardi Gras. There's much French influence in the city and champagne does make everything a party so who's really gonna argue?
Get the French 75 Cocktail recipe.
Classic Mint Julep
Though its more synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, a mint julep has all the right ingredients to be a Mardi Gras classic. In fact, juleps have been consumed in New Orleans since the early 1800s, no horses required.
Get the Classic Mint Julep recipe.
Shirley Temple
Non-drinkers shouldn't be denied a good time on Fat Tuesday. So mix up something classic, bright, and fruity for them to sip like a Shirley Temple.
Get the Shirley Temple recipe.
Pimm's Cup
Pimm's Cups have been popular in New Orleans since the 1940s. It's easy to see why: The mix of herbaceous liquor, sparkling lemonade, and lot of garnishes make it so refreshing in hot weather.
Vieux Carre Cocktail
French for "old square," this cocktail dates back to the 1930s. First served at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone, it's a mix of rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and dashes of bitters.
Grasshopper Drink
Three ingredients are all you need to make this creamy classic: creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and heavy cream. Okay, make that four if you line your glass with chocolate syrup.
Sazerac Cocktail
One of the oldest known American cocktails with roots in the early 19th century, the Sazerec was named New Orleans' official cocktail in 2008. It contains rye, sugar, Peychaud's bitters, absinthe, and a twist of lemon peel for garnish.
Gin Fizz Cocktail
The Ramos gin fizz (invented in 1888 by New Orlean's bartender Henry C. Ramos) contains gin, lemon juice, lime juice, egg white, sugar, cream, orange flower water, and soda water. But you can make this simpler version closer to a Tom Collins, too.
Brandy Crusta
Invented in 1850s by Joe Santini at his bar Jewel of the South, this sugar-rimmed cocktail is considered the descendent of the sidecar. It contains brandy, maraschino liqueur, curaçao, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, and Angostura bitters.
Zombie Cocktail
A notoriously haunted city like the Big Easy should be used to its fair share of zombies. This fruity concoction is a mix of rum, pineapple, lime, and passion fruit juices, and a dash of Angostura bitters.
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