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A New Orleans Cocktail Tour in the French Quarter

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There aren’t many cities as famous for cocktail culture – and, let’s face it, general boozing – than the Big Easy. Hence, New Orleans is awash in cocktail tours. I should know – I’ve now taken two. My first was in 2013, when bad weather caused the tour to be bumped back again and again until the day after Mardi Gras. Needless to say I was feeling a little less than fresh, and near-freezing temperature didn’t add to my enthusiasm.

French Quarter, New Orleans

French Quarter, New Orleans

So I decided to give it another shot, this time signing up for the New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour in the French Quarter.

Turns out the rave reviews this tour receives are well-deserved. Our tour guide, Doctor Gumbo, also known as Dylan, is a New Orleans native who returned to his city post-Hurricane Katrina after a stint leading food tours in Rome. Doctor Gumbo is a true local – not only was he greeted by name by every bartender and bouncer we encountered, our last stop even featured a drink named after our fearless leader. Our stroll through the French Quarter began.

Quintessntial New Orleans: cocktails in the French Quarter

Quintessential New Orleans: cocktails in the French Quarter

We made four stops, each one unique and noteworthy. I declared a tie when it came to picking my favorite venue – between SoBou, the modern cocktail bar located in the W Hotel, and Tujague’s, a speakeasy-like historic hotspot. My favorite drink was easier to choose – the Grasshopper, a dessert-like mixture of white creme de menthe, green creme de menthe, creme de cocoa and whole milk with a Brandy floater invented by the Tujague’s owner, Philip Guichet, in the 1950s.

Unfortunately, rain was once again putting a damper on my cocktail buzz. Typically, Doctor Gumbo’s tours are cozy affairs in which to sip at the bar while he shares stories of New Orleans’ intriguing past. However, French Quarter bars are on the smaller side, and so depending on your group size, you might be getting your history lesson outside. Just call ahead and ask about your group size if the weather looks iffy and you prefer drinks with umbrellas rather than drinking under umbrellas.

The show must go on.

The show must go on.

Weather woes aside, this is a wonderful way to experience the French Quarter. The tour cost includes a premium cocktail at each stop as well as tips at each of the four venues. And if you attend the tour as a pair or couple, you’ll be able to taste eight cocktail concoctions, as each location offers a choice of two drinks. Plus you’ll get Doctor Gumbo’s colorful commentary on the history and customs of this flavorful city.

The total walking distance is only about one mile, so throw on those heels and keep the party going after – the tour ends just blocks from Frenchman Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, another lively nightlife hotspot. As we set off into the night, I felt a stronger connection to the historic streets through which we strolled; there’s simply no better way to drink in the culture of New Orleans.

Alex Baackes

A New Orleans Cocktail Tour in the French Quarter from New Orleans Things to Do


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