An Unconventional Guide to Eating, Drinking & Exploring New Orleans 🥃

Let me take a moment to praise Peychaud’s — because nailing the classics is the ultimate test of a bartender’s skill. Here, I tasted the best Gin Fizz of my life 🍸 (and yes, I had to order two at once — no regrets!). Shaken for a full 15 minutes, it was cloud-like — impossibly smooth, creamy yet light, with a delicate orange blossom aroma that evaporated on the tongue like a dream. When in New Orleans, you can’t miss the city’s iconic bourbon cocktails. The Sazerac — complex, strong, and bone-dry (with a hint of Ojen?) — is pure satisfaction in a glass. Then there’s the Vieux Carré 🥃, a full-bodied tribute to local mixology: French cognac elegance meets spicy American rye and herbal Italian vermouth. Each sip tastes like history. And don’t overlook the traditional New Orleans Milk Punch — a chilled, unfiltered version where Buffalo Trace’s caramel-wood notes blend seamlessly with creamy milk, lifted by a dusting of nutmeg. Light, sweet, and smooth — a true “old-school breakfast cocktail.” 📚 For Cocktail Lovers: The Sazerac House cocktail museum is a must-visit! Learn about bitters, brewing techniques, and the deep ties between rye whiskey, Sazerac, and this city’s soul. The gift shop is full of beautifully crafted items — perfect for souvenirs. 🦪 On the Food Front: You can’t leave NOLA without oysters! I went to Luke. While standard Gulf oysters were a bit soft and slightly fishy, the Deer Island oysters were a revelation — perfectly balanced in salt and sweetness, with a subtle mineral touch. For authentic Cajun flavors, skip the usual suspects and head to Mother’s. Their crawfish gumbo and jambalaya are soul-warming and delicious. Plus, they offer different portion sizes — a blessing for solo travelers 🧳. 🎶 Jazz: The Heartbeat of the City In New Orleans, music isn’t background noise — it’s the city’s pulse. From random street performers on Bourbon Street to intimate live sets in cozy bars, jazz is everywhere 🎷. If Preservation Hall is packed, try Snug Harbor — an intimate venue with crisp acoustics where jazz feels like a pure conversation between musician and instrument. Here, jazz isn’t just performed — it’s felt. The audience sways, breathes, and lives inside the rhythm. The city honors Louis Armstrong everywhere — even the airport bears his name. Jazz pilgrims shouldn’t miss the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the statue at Louis Armstrong Park. 🌳 If You Have Extra Time: Stroll through the Garden District, relax in City Park, wander the Botanical Garden, or take a river ferry. All lovely — but skippable if you're short on time. #NewOrleans #CocktailCulture #JazzCity #EatLikeALocal #Sazerac #NOLAVibes