[Beat the heat offers interesting and exciting ways to cool off in New Orleans this summer.]
If there is one thing New Orleans is known for it's their love of cocktails. Depending on who you hear it from, some of the most famous cocktails actually got their start in the Crescent City. Both the Sazarec and the Pimms Cup made their debut here in Nola, so why not take a break from the heat and kick back with one of these delicious summery cocktails?
To get started:
1. Check out nola.com's series on summer cocktails in the Entertainment section. There you'll find not only a different cocktail featured each week--history and how to make it--but also comments from locals on where you'll find the best version of each drink.
The cocktails listed here are not necessarily limited to those concoctions created in New Orleans, either. One of the first weeks the discussion was around the perfect martini. I don't necessarily find a martini to be a refreshing summer drink, but to each his or her own.
More tips after the jump!
After that you'll need to:
2. Check out the bars for yourself. Some, but not all, offer air conditioning. Make sure you pinpoint a watering hole that is not only recommended for your drink of choice but also one that offers AC.
3. Always enjoy your cocktail in the evening hours, when the sun has set and the humidity (generally) gives us a break. Often times it's a tiny little break, but it's a break nonetheless.
You could, I suppose, get your cocktail on in the early morning hours, since heaven knows there are plenty of bars open in the French Quarter when most folks are lucky they're awake enough to purchase a cup of coffee (or an iced coffee, see my earlier entry), but I wouldn't recommend it.
And, as always, please follow the golden rule:
3. Always enjoy your cocktails in moderation. That means like one or two. The only thing less refreshing than throwing up your cocktail is making the rest of us watch you do it. Also, while public drunkenness is enough to land you some AC in the back of a squad car, the fine and the possible charges stemming from your little stunt are not recommended.
4. Speaking of moderation, if you don't practice it you will end up dehydrated instead of refreshed. Alcohol will dehydrate you, even when it's mixed with something or on ice.
The idea here is to unwind with a nice, cool cocktail, not to tank up and tear down the Quarter. Of course I suppose that has its place too, but it's not on my list of ways to beat the heat!
Still looking for more ways to chill out with a chilled beverage? Check out the annual Tales of the Cocktail Festival which runs at local establishments around town for five days starting today!
When it gets super hot in Nola, I like to relax on the second floor balcony of the Columns with an iced refreshment waiting for a good thunderstorm to kick out the humidity. How about you?
