Cocktails in New Orleans

Jean's journal continues...

Road trip - left John's shed and drove the 76 miles or so to New Orleans, stopping en-route to buy Subway rolls which were huge but good on an empty stomach. The RV site was situated in the French Quarter and had a lovely swimming pool, jacuzzi and laundry and we had our own gazebo fully enclosed by mosquito wire (just as well as Gordon and I were already covered in itchy bites, whether from the sand fleas in Foley or mosquito bites in Louisiana we weren't sure)

In the afternoon, we took the Cocktail Tour which was interesting. The guide took us to some very old bars and gave us the history of the place then recommended one or two cocktails for us to try.

One of our first stops was the Napoleon House. The building's first occupant, Nicholas Girod, offered his residence to Napoleon in 1821 as a refuge during his exile. Napoleon never made it, but the name stuck, and since then, the Napoleon House has become one of the most famous bars in America. Their signature drink is the “Pimms Cup". At the Napoleon House, they serve it with a cucumber – just the best summer refresher.

At Pirate’s Alley Café, I tried a “Green Fairy”, a concoction made with absinthe (130 proof). The Green Fairy is made by pouring absinthe over a sugar cube balanced on a slotted spoon over a tall glass. It’s followed by water poured over the sugar cube. The cube is then burned and crushed into the drink. A chemical reaction ensues- causing what appears to be fairies flying through the green liquid.

At Tujagues, the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans (1856), we tried a “Woodland Plantation Punch” (way too sweet) Originally an all men’s bar, there were no chairs. The men stood at the bar (and, not wanting to lose their place at the bar, would pee into the trough under the bar). Today, the bar is a great local hangout. (See below)

We also went The Court of Two Sisters and Muriel’s (which boasted a resident ghost and an upstairs room that was once a bordello).

It was tastefully decorated in an authentic style and we found it very interesting.
We also met quite a few 'characters' (check out 'my new best friend' who's toast was always "Cheers to Queers"! )

When the tour was over we went back to the restaurant in Napoleon House for muffulettas then came back to the site as it was in a rough part of town and not the place you would want to be out wandering late at night. We sat in the gazebo and drank some wine then had a fairly early night.