THE
BIGGEST EASY
I may yawn at the Louvre and feel the Met
is worse than homework over summer vacation, but pour
me a tall one and meet me at the new Museum of the
American Cocktail in New Orleans. November marks the
end of Hurricane Season, and no city breathes a heartier
sigh of relief than New Orleans, so it is perfectly fitting
to give historic weight to ways to take the edge off.
Small rooms, accented by red fabric and wallpaper like
that found in the most self-respecting of speakeasies,
are chock full of historic tippling memorabilia and bar
photos from blurry days gone by. Saloon styles throughout
the ages, as well as the paraphernalia and props used
by mixologists, make for fun browsing. The Sazerac cocktail
got the (high)ball rolling for mixed drinks in this country,
and it was born in New Orleans. So go and worship at the
Crescent City’s altar to all that is refreshing,
learn a bit of history about what’s in your glass,
then amble up to Bourbon Street and the bar of your choice.
www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org
—Andrew Mersmann
[Published:
November, 2008]
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Masters
of Food and Wine