18 Traditional (& Not-So-Traditional!) New Orleans Cocktails To Make During Mardi Gras

A brunch staple in New Orleans thanks to Benjamin Franklin(!). Be warned: This boozy milkshake packs a serious punch. Mixed with bourbon and honey, it's like a Southern summer dream, and we can't get enough. Try out our red wine milkshakes next! We have a feeling you'll really like them.

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One sip of this boozy, fruity drink and you’ll be transported straight to Bourbon Street. With dark and light rum, sweet fruit juices and bright citrus flavor, it’s no wonder this drink has remained a classic rum cocktail since the 1940s. Want to know more? Click below to find out more of its fascinating history.

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If you've ever been to New Orleans, you know that (drive-thru) daiquiris and Mardi Gras go hand in hand. Here, the mix of fresh and frozen strawberries is the trick for the smoothest, frostiest daiquiri. If you love this, you gotta try our strawberry frosé next!

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Few beverages capture the feeling of summer like a Pimm’s Cup. This iconic British cocktail is bright, refreshing, and filled to the brim with fruit. Likely brought to New Orleans by way of a British expat who knew just what drink could cool you off on a swelteringly swampy day, it's also become a New Orleans classic.

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The French 75 is among the fanciest of cocktails and a New Orleans staple. Champagne is what makes this drink distinctively French (and totally worth the splurge), but a more affordable sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Cava are both sound options too.

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New Orleans made the Sazerac famous, and it's THE ultimate classic cocktail for Mardi Gras. We added a little maraschino juice to this whiskey and cognac cocktail to give it a little fruity edge. It's bittersweet!

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If the idea of sipping cognac kinda scares you, fear not: This twist on a classic sidecar—featuring grapefruit juice and triple sec (which you’re familiar with for making margaritas go down so easy) and a sweet-and-spicy rim—is anything but harsh.

Get the Spicy Grapefruit Sidecar recipe.

The name of this classic tropical cocktail originates from the Prohibition-era, when bootleggers would, quite literally, "run" liquor across state lines to speakeasies. True to its name, this tiki drink has not one but two types of rum in it, and is balanced by the addition of fruity liqueurs and fresh juice.

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Mint juleps are often only brought up around the time of the Kentucky Derby, and we think that’s a crying (neighing?) shame! Not only does the classic frosty cup and minty flavor provide a cooling freshness on a hot day, it's only 3 ingredients, and the prep couldn’t be simpler.

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This gin fizz gets a major flavor boost from rosemary simple syrup. This recipe will make far more syrup than you'll need for 2 drinks, but kept in an airtight container, it'll last 1 to 2 weeks! Use it to make more fizzes, or add it to other drinks that need sweetening, like homemade lemonade or iced tea.

Get the Rosemary Gin Fizz recipe.

A frozen Irish coffee is not only an amazing hangover-salve you can get at many NOLA watering holes, but it's also a delicious way to cool off. Pro tip: This super-boozy shake uses cold brew ice cubes, so it won't get diluted no matter how long it takes you to get to the bottom of the glass!

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This classic cocktail likely evolved from a similar drink called the Brandy Crusta, which was invented in New Orleans in the 1800s. The sidecar strips that drink down (but keeps its fun sugared rim!), and is easy to customize—feeling like it's too sour? Bump up the sweetness with a little more triple sec. Too sweet? Add a touch more lemon juice.

Get the Sidecar recipe.

This tiki drink is peak New Orleans—and with multiple rums inside, it'll get you prettyyy tipsy. Legend says that the first person who tried this strong cocktail felt like a zombie for days afterward. But after we drink a Zombie? We mostly want to start a parade ASAP.

Get the Zombie Cocktail recipe.

Okay, so these king cake-inspired shots aren't entirely traditional, but you gotta admit they're pretty fun! A mix of RumChata and Fireball guarantees these are shots worthy of royalty. Try hiding a baby in the bottom of one, just like their inspiration, then warn everyone these are sippers, not shooters.

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This festive sparkling drink is perfect for a low-key cocktail hour. A sort of lightened-up mint julep, the addition of a dry sparkling wine provides a pleasant brightness and effervescence that plays well with the rich, caramelized tones of bourbon whiskey.

Get the Prosecco Mint Julep recipe.

You don’t have to be in the seats at Wimbledon or in the French Quarter to sip on a Pimm’s Cup—especially when you turn it into a slushie. The less-proper icy version blends up citrus, cucumber, and a bunch of fresh ginger for some legit zing.

Get the Frozen Pimm's Cup recipe.

Grasshoppers have been served at Tujague's in the French Quarter since 1919—and they're still super-good over a hundred years later. Named after their green-ish hue (from crème de menthe), grasshoppers are sweet, rich, and perfectly minty. Topped with a little whipped cream and some chocolate shavings, these are irresistable.

Get the Drunk Grasshopper recipe.

Down in NOLA, daiquiris can be found EVERYWHERE—at the drive-thru, at bars, in restaurants...For re-creating the vibe at home, we suggest going with this frozen watermelon version that makes a perfect last-minute party cocktail. This low-effort cocktail comes together with a secret weapon: frozen watermelon cubes.

Get the Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri recipe.