New Orleans in a Glass

My first trip to this warm and welcoming city included tourist "musts" and local recommendations. How lucky I was to see it "before."

It seems a little sacreligious to speak of drinks called "Hurricanes" now, but before Katrina and others, I knew ordering a Hurricane cocktail was a way to say, "I'm here, in New Orleans," even if it did tag me as a tourist.

So, we ordered a Hurricane and some fried oysters and the indulgence began. The next few days would completely change my preconceived notions of this town. It's charm simply envelopes you like a big, warm hug from a favorite old Aunt or Grandma.

We had all the traditional dishes and drinks, nearly all the acclaimed dishes. We wandered around this Quarter and that, of course we had Beignets and chicory coffee (now made by industrious Vietnamese!) The city is one that just absorbs whomever would like to come. Choctaw, African, French, Spanish, Acadian, Creole...

We wandered, ate, drank, photographed and just took it all in. One thing I had to have was a proper Sazerac cocktail. Peychaud bitters, whisky and what could be wrong with the day after that?

Look for my Gumbo recipe, I'll include links to the Sazerac recipe, too. On the eve of the 2006 hurricane season, I urge everyone to find something they can do to help this city. Buy a gift card from a grocery store or clothing store and send it to someone who's lost their home. Send a check to a relief organization you trust. Buy products over the Internet that will support the local economy. The city is just one of the most unique places I've seen in all my travels. In spirit and in action we should do what we can to salute it!