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World Famous Cocktails Invented in New Orleans

New Orleans offers more than great eats, entertainment, music and parties—it’s also one of the cocktail capitals of the world! The Hurricane was invented here, along with the curvy Hurricane glass. Tavern owner Pat O’Brien is credited with the concoction at the original speakeasy, Mr. O’Brien’s Club Tipperary, where the password during Prohibition was “Storm’s brewin’”. It was the 40s, and he had to come up with a creative way to get rid of all that rum nobody was drinking.

Everyone was thirsty for scotch and whisky, but O’Brien came up with the solution of taking a fun glass and giving away a sugary cocktail to sailors. He mixed the rum with fruit juice, syrup and/or grenadine. Today, Hurricanes are largely served in big plastic cups since you can legally take a drink and wander the streets of New Orleans with it.

Tequila Sunrise cocktail

From the Bahamas to Paris

Hurricanes are popular in the Bahamas now, too (albeit made differently), but nothing compares to a French-inspired cocktail in New Orleans. Sazerac was made in New Orleans, but named after the Sazerac de Forge et Fils Cognac brand. It’s a twist on the classic whiskey cocktail, created in 1850 by Aaron Bird, who was the new owner of The Merchants Exchange Coffee House.

The shop changed hands many times, and over generations today’s combination of a rye, absinthe, bitters and sugars have evolved. Bottoms up, New Orleans!