If you're in the mood for great cocktails or love your
alcoholic beverages on the sweet side, you're likely to enjoy National Liqueur
Day on October 16. This is not to be confused with liquor, which is
typically not sweet but can be flavored. Liqueur, however, is a usually sweet
alcohol, made with a base spirit with added flavoring agents, such as sugar or
fruit, and often used in mixed drinks and cocktails. The word liqueur is
derived from the Latin word liquifacere, meaning "to
liquefy or melt." Liqueurs make a great mixer to accompany your rum, vodka, or
liquor of choice, but can also be quitetasty to drink on their own. Here
is a list of five spots that feature great liqueurs, whether you
prefer them to be creamy, citrus, sweet, or anything in between.
Meauxbar
Meauxbar is deemed an intimate and
charming French bistro that is located in the French Quarter. Their menu
features French-influenced cuisine along with alcoholic beverages you can enjoy
during their Happy Hour. Try their Pineapple Habanero Margarita, made with Cointreau
orange liqueur and ancho reyes, a chile liqueur sure to give a kick with
its spicy and authentic Mexican flavor. Another one to try is their Berry
Whiskey Sour, made with berry liqueurs for a sweet and sour taste, or their
Mezcal Negroni with Campari, a liqueur infusion of herbs and fruit, if you love
an aromatic experience while drinking your liqueurs. 942 N. Rampart St., (504) 569-9979, meauxbar.com
Cask
Located in Mid-City on Canal Street, Cask has a large assortment of alcohol,
from wine and beer to liqueurs and cocktails. If you like your liqueur with
earthy spices, try their Salted Caramel Martini that includes Grey Goose,
espresso caramel, hoodoo chicory liqueur, and a dash of salt. They also have Belle
Poire liqueur if you love pear flavors, cream liqueurs if you like something with
substance, and crème de menthe if you love when your liqueur packs a nice, minty
kick. Their options are endless, and you're sure to find the right liqueur for
whatever is your drink of choice. 5123
Canal Blvd., (504) 518-5964,casknola.com
Shenanigan's
Kitchen & Cocktails
Who
doesn't love a little shenanigans every now and then? Located in the heart of Metairie,
Shenanigan's is an upscale bar that
offers assorted cocktails and daily drink specials, which you can pair with a
meal from their food menu, if you'd like. They offer dinner specials as well,
such as steak night and rib specials, so you don't have to drink on an empty
stomach. Celebrate their Monday fun-day with $3 shots of Jägermeister, a
liqueur made with 56 herbs and spices, or $3 Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, the
whisky-based liqueur with cinnamon, spice, and everything nice. 4612 Quincy St., Metairie, (504) 605-3299,shenanigans504.com
Bobby
Hebert's Cajun Cannon
If
you love to have a drink while watching the game, Bobby Hebert's is a great location, with a
90-inch television, 30 other televisions, and more than enough food and drinks
to satisfy you. Not only do they offer great seafood, but a variety of great
alcoholic beverages including wine, champagne, margaritas, cocktails, and more.
You can have your choice of liqueurs to sip straight up, such as Grand Marnier
orange liqueur, Kahlua coffee liqueur, amaretto with a taste of almonds, and
Frangelico for a taste of hazelnut and herbs. If you like your liqueur in a
mixed drink, Bobby Hebert's house specialties feature drinks with raspberry
liqueur or crème de banane liqueur, for a nice, fruity taste. 4101 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie,
(504) 324-6841, bobbyheberts.com
New Orleans Original Daiquiris
Could this list be complete without the New Orleans staple daiquiri? You
can probably find a daiquiri shop on many a corner in New Orleans, but you
can't quite beat New Orleans Original
Daiquiris that have been around since 1983. Their goal has always been to
offer delicious frosty drinks that can be both strong and sweet. Though home to
the 190 Octane, New Orleans Original Daiquiris offers a wide range of liqueurs in
their various daiquiris, such as the White Russian with coffee liqueur; the
amaretto and pineapple daiquiri with amaretto liqueur, "Mardi Gras Mash" with
triple sec orange liqueur, and many more. With over 20 locations throughout the
city, you're more than likely to run into a New Orleans Original Daiquiris shop
where you can enjoy your liqueurs in frozen form. Multiple locations, nolaoriginal.com
