New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the historic French Quarter
- Visit iconic New Orleans bars
- Learn about cocktail origins
- Discover Prohibition-era secrets
- Enjoy a guided walking experience
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided walking tour of the French Quarter
- Visit to historic bars and cocktail lounges
- Insight into New Orleans' cocktail heritage
- Food and additional drinks
Itinerary
Meet your guide inside Patrick's Bar Vin, a luxurious wine bar adjacent to a beautiful courtyard, to start your tour. Your local guide presents a fun and fascinating introduction to New Orleans’ and the world's cocktail culture as you sip your first drink. The tour begins with a refreshing, grapefruit spiced Rum Punch inspired by the English sailors working in the 1600's Indian spice trade.
Next, turn the corner to visit SoBou, where you sample the official cocktail of New Orleans: the Sazerac, a drink that comes from a 19th-century recipe. Additionally you will be served another pre-Civil War libation known as the Brandy Crusta: a potent concoction of brandy, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice and bitters.
Pass by: Travel along beautiful Royal Street to the hippest new addition to the NOLA drinking scene: Peychaud's Bar in the Maison de Ville Hotel, where you will have a choice between two delicious, historical cocktails.
Pass by: Pass by one of America's oldest active Catholic churches en route to Pirate's Alley.
Then continue to your final destination of the tour: the luxurious Bourbon "O" Jazz Bar, located inside the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Your beverage here is the little-known Roffignac highball cocktail. Made from a 19th-century recipe, the Bourbon "O" Bar makes their refreshing Roffignac with raspberry liqueur and brandy. Expect to walk about one mile during your 3-hour tour in a friendly social atmosphere inspired by your entertaining guide. Four cocktails are included, one at each stop. Your tour ends at the Bourbon "O" Bar, which features nightly live jazz at 8pm as well as a limited food menu. Or you can move on to explore the lively nightlife of nearby Frenchmen Street on your own (or with your new friends!).
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.
- The tour is not wheelchair accessible; consider this when booking.
- The tour operates rain or shine; cancellations due to weather are rare.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking on uneven surfaces.
- Bring a valid ID if you plan to purchase alcoholic beverages during the tour.
- Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Minimum age is 21 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- All cocktails are vegan-friendly
- Walk is approximately 1-mile
- All venues subject to change based on availability
Traveler reviews
Husband & I had a nice...
Husband & I had a nice private tour because it was only the two of us. John aka (Professor) said during the summer the tour numbers are low. We toured four exquisite bar/lounges on & around Royal street and learned the history of each bar and drinks. The drinks were stunning! Not your typical Bourbon Street mixed drinks. Our tour guide John(Professor) was cool and he engaged us with some history of New Orleans and answered our questions. If you want a relaxing, smooth, friendly, sophisticated feeling environment pick this tour! We loved it!
Our tour guide was...
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of local cocktails in New Orleans and the world. Very fun and interesting!
We absolutely LOVED this...
We absolutely LOVED this experience! Our guide was incredible, she was so knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor too. We learnt so much. I loved how the history was presented to us, starting with the origins of alcohol and then moving more local -- it was great to get a slightly different historical perspective from alcohol.
Book it!
Great time with Beth. She was fun and it was enjoyable to learn all about the different cocktail history. She’s a gem!
Cocktail tour
Awesome tour. Liked the drinks and Ben was an awesome tour guide. Would recommend this tour to everyone.