For more Mardi Gras party ideas, check out all our favorite Mardi Gras food recipes, including all the best Mardi Gras appetizers to accompany all those cocktails. 1 Bourbon Milk Punch This eye-catching cocktail features the classic mix of tequila, lime, and triple sec, blended with frozen fruits to create the signature purple, yellow, and green hues of Mardi Gras. Each layer offers a refreshing balance of citrus and natural fruit sweetness, making this drink as visually striking as it is delicious. 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. Get the Vieux Carre Cocktail recipe at Farm Wife Drinks. SHOP LOWBALL GLASSES Mardi Gras Bushwacker Cocktail at 8 Reale OBAL in Orange Beach, Alabama. Matt Carroll, 8 Reale OBAL. “In considering Mardi Gras cocktails this year, I wanted to put a spin on a classic Mardi Though similarly spirit-forward, it dials up the rye whiskey, skips the cognac, and calls for a few dashes of absinthe. Although the cocktail was first recorded in Stanley Clisby Arthur’s Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ’Em in 1937, it was revived in 2011 when Jim Meehan featured a recipe in The PDT Cocktail Book. Get the recipe. This vintage bourbon cocktail with lemon juice and honey does beat a cough drop, if you ask us. New Orleans isn’t all chilled or frozen drinks—bourbon hot toddy’s are a delicious way to cozy up in a French Quarter bar during a rainy day, and they can also be a great way to kick off an afternoon of Mardi Gras celebrations. With its roots deeply embedded in Southern tradition, this cocktail embodies the essence of hospitality and charm, making it a perfect fit for Mardi Gras festivities. The invigorating mix of mint and bourbon offers a lively burst of flavor, complementing the vibrant atmosphere of the celebration. This next drink makes another great addition to these amazing Mardi Gras cocktails. Fruity and bright pineapple juice adds a tropical touch while slashes of melon-flavored Midori, vodka, gin, and rum add a boozy finish to this tall highball-like Mardi Gras drink. 11. Brandy Milk Punch Mardi Gras Drink REcipe It’s not so much the exact drink, but rather the act of drinking that’s traditional to many Mardi Gras celebrations. According to Food, Feasts, and Faith by Paul Fieldhouse, Mardi Gras—which translates to “Fat Tuesday” in French—marks the end of the pre-Lent season known as Carnival. Pour out drink into a tin and shake again without ice (dry shake). In a highball glass, add 2 ounces of root beer and pour the drink over the top. Allow it to settle and pour a bit more root beer Get in the Mardi Gras spirit with this Hand Grenade Drink. With its trademark bright yellow-green hue, this New Orleans Hand Grenade is the perfect drink when you can’t make it to Bourbon Street! With easy by-the-glass or pitcher instructions. Hurricane. The hurricane cocktail is a well-known New Orleans tradition. The drink was invented in the French Quarter in the 1940s and is considered the quintessential Mardi Gras cocktail. Mardi Gras wouldn’t be the party it is without boasting a host of signature drinks, many of which are Bourbon-based. Here’s a selection of favorite libations—all taken to the next level with Bird Dog Whiskey—that can transport you to the Big Easy. Mardi Gras Bourbon Cocktail Recipes Mocktail drinks have become a popular alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages over the past decade due to their range of creative and unique flavor combinations. Mocktails are tailored for a varied audience, appealing to children, designated drivers, health-conscious individuals, and those who prefer the taste of non-alcoholic concoctions. This cocktail from Hungry Eyes is not a joking matter. Featuring elevated ingredients like Chinola mango liqueur, falernum, and orgeat, this libation impresses even the most discerning palates. These Mardi Gras cocktails are just a few of the many options from popular spots in the Big Easy. Frequently Asked Questions About Mardi Gras Cocktails What is the traditional drink of Mardi Gras? The Hurricane cocktail was created at Pat O'Brien's in the French Quarter in the 1940s. It's a well-known New Orleans cocktail and is regarded as the signature drink of Mardi Gras. What is the most popular cocktail drink in New Orleans? We think this pretty cocktail is the PERFECT drink to serve at your Mardi Gras party. The colors are totally on-point: Basil leaves give the drink a subtle green shade, while lemon wedges and lavender sprigs round up the festive color palette. Hosting has never been easier than with a make-ahead pitcher of one of the best Southern cocktails around, white wine sangria. This vibrant and fruity drink is the ultimate Mardi Gras refreshment, featuring crisp white wine mixed with zesty citrus fruits, juicy berries, and a splash of bubbly for that festive fizz. Mardi Gras tradition is tied to the Christian calendar, with the date shifting alongside Easter. It is always 47 days before Easter, accounting for the 40 days of Lent plus seven Sundays, however the celebration is more of a season, called Carnival. Festivities begin on The Feast of Epiphany and continue through to Mardi Gras. A celebration of
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |