Must-Try Cocktails at the Essence Festival

Cajun/Creole Bloody Mary

The Essence Festival is one of the most popular events in New Orleans, where music, culture, and food come together to create a unique and unforgettable experience. And if you’re a cocktail lover, then you're in for a treat, as the festival offers a range of delicious and unique cocktails that you won’t want to miss out on. In this blog post, we’ll explore five must-try cocktails at the Essence Festival that will tantalize your taste buds.  Your visit to New Orleans and Essence fest, isn’t complete without trying some of the signature drinks!

1. Hurricane

Nothing screams “New Orleans” quite like a hurricane! No sandbags or shelters here, just a fruity drink that’s sure to get the party started. The Hurricane has been a staple of the Essence Festival for years.  This dangerously delicious cocktail is full of fruity goodness, and a mix of light and dark rum typically served in a hurricane glass. If you are going to go for it, get the original at Pat O’Brien’s in the signature glass.  They will even put your hurricane in a to-go cup and pack up your souvenir glass, so you can keep your party moving through the Quarter. 

2. Sazerac

Another classic New Orleans cocktail that you should try at the Essence Festival is the Sazerac. The Sazerac is considered to be one of the world’s first cocktails. This potent cocktail’s unique flavor comes from the cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe, bitters, and a sugar cube it is made with. It is the Official Drink of New Orleans.  We enjoy a good Sazerac, but just one.  This is a slow-sipping drink. While you can order it at most bars, we like to get ours at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel.   

3. Frozen Daiquiri

In New Orleans, if it’s frozen and boozy, it’s a daiquiri. Daiquiris come in every color and a medley of tasty flavors with cool names like Jungle Juice and Swamp Water. They are good and refreshing and are a very common guilty pleasure. Almost everyone has at least one story that starts with a frozen daiquiri.  They are a great relief to the heat and humidity you will experience walking around the festival (and bottled water of course). While you’ll find them on every corner of Bourbon Street, a must-try is the Voodoo Daiquiri (aka “Purple Drank”) from Laffite’s on Bourbon Street.  And if you find yourself riding the St. Charles streetcar, stop in at New Orleans Original Daiquiris at the end of the line. 

4. Creole Bloody Mary

What’s better than a snack and a drink with friends before heading Essence Festival concert venue? How about a snack and a drink all in one cup? The Creole Bloody Mary barely qualifies as a New Orleans drink. It’s really more of a meal. Part classic vodka and tomato juice concoction and part seafood cocktail, this libation has a distinctively New Orleans twist. It is a bold and flavorful cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and Creole seasoning. This cocktail is jam-packed with flavor and spice, but it’s the toppings that send it over the top. Some favorites include shrimp, bacon, pickles, and pickled okra. It's perfect for brunch or as a late afternoon pick-me-up.

5. Hand Grenade

A commonplace site on Bourbon Street, this stiff neon green cocktail is served in its signature, giant, same-shade-of-neon-green plastic “yard glass” shaped like a happy hand grenade—with eyes and a smiley face. You’ll see tourists carrying humungous Hand Grenade cups all over the French Quarter. It tastes like melon and is loaded with grain alcohol. They pack as much of a wallop as their namesake weapon. Available only at the Tropical Island locations and The Funky Pirate all on Bourbon Street. Not only will they make you drunk, but they’ll also make you cool, too… apparently Ludacris both drinks and raps about them.

The Essence Festival is not only about music and culture but also about food and drinks. There are so many delicious and unique cocktails to try. We listed a few of our favorites.  If any of these didn’t pique your interest, venture out and find one that suits your tastes. New Orleans has a cocktail or few for you.  Trying new cocktails during the Essence Festival is part of making your experience even more unforgettable.

L & L

Your Frugal and Fly Team