You know what they say: friends who enjoy holiday cocktails together, sleigh together…
In New Orleans, every season tends to pair well with a cocktail, but there is something extra enchanting about the glimmering holiday décor that fills the city this time of year when it’s paired with a spirited libation. The warmth of the season fills you with an abundance of love, and each small moment with loved ones brings cherished new memories. So, join us and sip along while we enjoy holiday-infused sips and toast to you and yours. We hope you enjoy this festive little crawl, and remember to drink responsibly, y’all!
Polo Club Lounge
At the Polo Club Lounge at The Windsor Court Hotel, find yourself feeling like an old-money Hollywood starlet with a bright and merry sip of The ZuZu, a pomegranate-inspired poinsettia to bring a bit of bubble to the season.
Miss River
The Four Seasons New Orleans is a one-to-one ratio of luxury and opulence. At Miss River, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a love letter to Louisiana penned by James Beard Award-winning Chef Alon Shaya. The culturally rich dishes sing this time of year like joyous ringing bells, and the Flaming Espresso Martini will spark citrusy holiday delight with notes of cinnamon and orange.
Chandelier Bar
The Chandelier Bar is a lobby-level oasis of glitz under one of the most iconic, you guessed it, chandeliers, in all New Orleans. This iconic stop is also a staple feature of the Four Seasons, the gift that keeps on giving. This festive season, Chandelier Bar will debut its Spirited Tea every Friday and Saturday afternoon in December. Enjoy four festive signature cocktails, including Chai (a dark and mysterious cocktail for the Manhattan lover) and Chamomile (a floral and effervescent twist on the French 75), all paired with tea-inspired bites from Alon Shaya like a Gougère with Raclette Fondue and Baklava Stuffed Dates. Reservations ($65) available HERE.
The Sazerac Bar
It’s Christmas cookies and candy canes over at The Sazerac Bar, a space tucked in one of the most classic hotels in the city and a not-to-be-missed Instagram-worthy holiday hotel display. The Christmas Cookie cocktail is a perfected treat of vanilla vodka, brown sugar, and heavy cream. To put some PEP-permint in your step, the Candy Cane is a bursting harmony of Rumple Minze, White Créme de Cacao, Cream, and Raspberry for a fun twist. But if you are already here, don’t forget the namesake, the most famous cocktail of our city: the Sazerac, where Sazerac Rye, Peychaud’s Bitters, Sugar, and Herbsaint sing the jingles of the city’s history.
GW Fins
Gary Wollerman and family invite you over to GW Fins where the seafood is fresh every day, and the holiday cocktails come with a sense of personality. Enjoy winter cocktails like the Partridge in a Pear Tree, made with Canton Ginger Liqueur, Stranahan’s Whiskey, St George Pear Liqueur, and Orange Bitters. There’s also a Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini.
The Grill Room
The Grill Room at The Windsor Court boasts two holiday cocktails this season. Snowed In is made with Noël 6-Year-Old Rum, House-Made Spiced Vanilla Syrup, and Oat Milk. Camden Town is all Maker’s Mark Whisky, Allspice Dram, Demerara Syrup, Lemon, and Orange Bitters.
Peacock Room
At the Peacock Room inside Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, enjoy Insta-worthy holiday cocktails. Deck the Halls is made with Hanger One Vodka, Amaretto, Crème de Cacao, Cream, Sprinkles, and Coupe with Sprinkles. Also partake in the Helekalikimaka, made with Bumbu, Apricot, Yuzu curacao, lime, and Oolong Orgeat, served in a Santa Tiki Mug!
The Country Club
The Country Club is a tucked-away gem, and poolside getaway. You read that right! POOL. It’s heated, there is a hot tub, and ding-ding-ding, sauna house too. This holiday season, enjoy the Cold Brew Old Fashioned, with Ron Diplomatico Reserve, Brown Sugar, House Expresso Bitters.
Jewel of The South
Put on your dancing shoes, y’all; the Jewel of The South has done it again. This beloved stop is the place to Winter Waltz, although maybe only metaphorically. It’s the name of the drink, and a beautiful harmony of Rye, Amaro, and allspice. So, we guess you don’t need to stretch before this one, however, we do encourage you to enjoy some of the decadent food while you are here.
Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans
Rudolph’s Brown Butter Bourbon Egg Nogg is made from scratch in-house each day with Bourbon, Whole Milk, Egg, Brown Butter, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean. Enjoy it at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans.
Public Service
At Public Service inside the NOPSI Hotel, enjoy not one, not two, but three holiday cocktails! Try the Déjà Vu, with Hibiscus-infused Mezcal and Apricot Liqueur served on the rocks, garnished with a Rosemary Sprig and a sugar-coated cranberry.
Molly’s at The Market
An all-year-round classic, the Frozen Irish Coffee at Molly’s at The Market is a well-loved treat. A frozen blend of cream and liquor, decorated with a swirl of coffee on top. This little pep in your step is a cute stop, and even a great grab-n-go for taking in some of the holiday decorations sprinkled throughout the French Quarter.
Commander’s Palace
Finally, in Uptown is Commander’s Palace, a historic marvel of classic New Orleans fare. Where getting dressed for the occasion is required to be seated, and the Holly Berry Martini will put Réveillon on the rocks, with this citrus vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cassis, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup.
Holiday Pop-Ups
Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar
Step into the ultimate festive experience celebrating the 30th anniversary of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” at Virgin Hotels New Orleans. From November 15 – December 29, step into Funny Library and enjoy extravagant Black Irish liqueur cocktails, like a candy cane-rimmed espresso martini, a cotton candy-topped white chocolate martini, or a bourbon martini with a chocolate pretzel twist. The holiday magic doesn’t stop there—capture your moment in a life-sized gift box under the glow of an “All I Want For Christmas Is You” neon sign, drop a wish at the “Letters to Mariah” station, or snap a pic on a life-sized wreath just like Mariah’s album cover. General admission starts at $20 per person and includes one 90-minute reservation plus one Welcome Signature Black Irish Cocktail. Book here.
Miracle on Magazine
Miracle returns to Barrel Proof this holiday season. This Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. Don an ugly sweater and join the kitsch this holiday season.
For even more holiday cocktail ideas, and for everything Holidays New Orleans style, see here.