Best Mardi Gras Cocktails

Sip your way straight to Bourbon Street, no matter where you are, with some the best Mardi Gras cocktails! It’s the absolute best way to celebrate Carnival!

Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Blood Orange Daiquiri, a spin on the classic New Orleans cocktail. Laissez les bon temps rouler! (via feastandwest.com)

Your ultimate guide to Mardi Gras cocktails

Ah, Mardi Gras. It’s arguably one of the most fun times of the year. The parades, the celebrations, the cocktails… It’s one big party!

I’ve been to New Orleans — and loved it — but never for the Mardi Gras festivities. It’s high on my list, especially with the FOMO that comes with seeing leftover shiny beads hanging from power lines and trees all year long in the Big Easy.

Until I make it there for the celebration, I’m going to mix up one of these cocktails and join the fun from afar. From classic New Orleans recipes to fun twists on iconic drinks, I know you’ll find one to fuel your party!

The Vieux Carré Cocktail is a classic cocktail with roots in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Make it to celebrate Mardi Gras or enjoy it in lieu of an old-fashioned. (via feastandwest.com)

What is Mardi Gras?

While its exact history is a bit of a mystery, Mardi Gras in the United States has been traced back to 1699 when French-Canadian explorers arrived near where New Orleans would eventually be according to NewOrleans.com. Since these explorers arrived on the traditional celebration of Fat Tuesday — a name which came from consuming all of the fats in the home before Lent — they named the spot they landed “Pointe du Mardi Gras.”

Mardi Gras tradition is tied to the Christian calendar, with the date shifting alongside Easter. It is always 47 days before Easter, accounting for the 40 days of Lent plus seven Sundays, however the celebration is more of a season, called Carnival. Festivities begin on The Feast of Epiphany and continue through to Mardi Gras.

A celebration of many names, Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Day. Whatever you call it, it’s certainly a lot of fun! Today’s Mardi Gras celebrations include parades, parties, traditional foods and cocktails, of course!

Grab a friend you haven't seen in a while and shake up a Tangerine Sidecar for him or her! This twist on a Prohibition-era classic is the perfect reason to get together. (via feastandwest.com)

How to pick a Mardi Gras cocktail

In case you didn’t know, NOLA is a HUGE city for cocktails.

It is a city rooted in history, and so many cocktails were born there, which makes its signature holiday so easy to celebrate from afar. The bartenders there are also incredibly creative, and you’ll find some of the most innovative drinks at their bars.

If you prefer a classic cocktail, try something like the Hurricane or the Sazerac. These drinks are known for their prominence in the Big Easy and are traditionally enjoyed during Carnival. Keep all the tradition but none of the booze by mixing up something like a virgin daiquiri.

You can also try a more adventurous route by opting for recipes with more whimsical flavor. These twists on tradition are a great way to ease into some of the bold flavors and get in on the celebration.

What to serve for Mardi Gras

If you’re hosting a Mardi Gras celebration at home, or simply want to get in the spirit of the holiday, you’ll want New Orleans-inspired dishes. Think cajun flavors, seafood, and beignets!

I love making popcorn shrimp for an easy appetizer or even dinner! Pair it with cajun dipping sauce for an added kick.

Hatch green chile gumbo would be a fun — and spicy — twist on the traditional dish. As for dessert, it certainly wouldn’t be Carnival without King’s Cake!

The best Mardi Gras cocktails

Wherever you’re celebrating Fat Tuesday this year, do it with a good drink in hand!

1
Two cocktail glasses with orange drinks, garnished with orange slices and a cherry, beside a green napkin, a jigger, and a small bottle on a white background.
Classic Hurricane Cocktail
A New Orleans favorite, the Classic Hurricane Cocktail is a must for Mardi Gras. This fruity rum drink is bold, refreshing and perfect for celebrating.
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2
a yellow parasol on top of a blue fish bowl drink
Fish Bowl Drinks
Fish Bowl Drinks bring a tropical party vibe, making them a fun choice for Mardi Gras. Serve in a big bowl for sharing or individual glasses for a festive touch.
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3
Two glasses of strawberry smoothie with limes and strawberries.
Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri
A fruity and refreshing option, the Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri is perfect for a Mardi Gras toast without the booze. Sweet strawberries and citrus make it a crowd-pleaser.
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4
two ramos gin fizz cocktails garnished with mint leaves on a gold tray.
Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a New Orleans classic with a rich, foamy texture. Light and citrusy, it’s an elegant choice for Mardi Gras celebrations.
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5
a frozen peach daiquiri on a wooden coaster
Frozen Peach Daiquiris
Frozen Peach Daiquiris add a juicy twist to Mardi Gras festivities. Blended with fresh peaches and rum, they’re a refreshing way to celebrate.
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6
www.thespeckledpalate.com
King Cake Martini
Inspired by the iconic King Cake, this martini is a sweet way to celebrate Mardi Gras. Cinnamon-infused vodka and a colorful sugar rim bring the party to your glass.
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7
A cocktail glass filled with a red drink, adorned with a chain of metallic beads. A sliced blood orange is placed next to the Blood Orange Daiquiri amidst more shimmering beads.
Blood Orange Daiquiri
Bright and citrusy, the Blood Orange Daiquiri is a bold choice for Mardi Gras. Its ruby-red hue and tangy sweetness make it a standout.
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8
Two Pimms Cup cocktails sit next to a bottle of Pimms No. 1 liqueur.
Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
Light and bubbly, Pimm’s No. 1 Cup offers a refreshing sip for Mardi Gras. Customize the garnishes for a festive flair.
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9
A row of raspberries on a toothpick garnish a light red cocktail.
Raspberry Daiquiri
Packed with fresh raspberry flavor, the Raspberry Daiquiri is a bright and tangy option for Mardi Gras. Simple ingredients create a perfectly balanced cocktail.
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10
Beignet and Coffee Cocktail Shake
www.cakenknife.com
Beignet and Coffee Cocktail Shake
A boozy milkshake inspired by Café du Monde, this Beignet and Coffee Cocktail Shake is a treat for Mardi Gras. Topped with a beignet, it’s indulgence in a glass.
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11
a classic lime daiquiri in a coupe glass on a gold serving tray.
Classic Daiquiri
The Classic Daiquiri is the foundation of Bourbon Street’s famous frozen drinks. Shake one up and sip like it's Mardi Gras.
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12
Two grasshopper drinks on a marble countertop and garnished with chocolate shavings and chocolate cookie sticks.
Grasshopper Cocktail
Minty and smooth, the Grasshopper Drink is a creamy classic that fits right into Mardi Gras festivities. Its bright green color makes it extra festive.
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13
A Sazerac, a classic cocktail made with bourbon, served alongside a bottle of bourbon.
Classic Sazerac Cocktail
Rich and bold, the Classic Sazerac Cocktail is a must for any Mardi Gras celebration. Rye whiskey, spiced bitters and a hint of sweetness create this timeless New Orleans classic.
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14
Beat the heat this summer with Frozen Lemon Daiquiris reminiscent of the New Orleans classic cocktail. Sweet and tart, this citrus and rum cocktail is like a fresh frozen lemonade. (via feastandwest.com)
Frozen Lemon Daiquiris
Sweet and tart, Frozen Lemon Daiquiris taste like a boozy frozen lemonade. This New Orleans-inspired cocktail is perfect for Mardi Gras.
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15
A glass with a dark Vieux Carré Cocktail and a black stirrer, adorned with star patterns, sits amidst green, gold, and purple beaded necklaces.
Vieux Carré Cocktail
Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Vieux Carré cocktail, a classic cocktail with New Orleans roots.
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16
A close-up of a frozen strawberry daiquiri on a gold tray.
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Blended with fresh strawberries and rum, the Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri is a festive choice for Mardi Gras. Bright and fruity, it’s a party in a glass.
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17
A Strawberry Daiquiri garnished with a strawberry on a skewer sits next to a bowl of strawberries and a gold cocktail jigger.
Shaken Strawberry Daiquiri
Strawberry and rum go together like beads and Mardi Gras. This perfect pair makes for a fruity daiquiri. Inspired by the classic, it's not frozen but it's still a bright and refreshing choice.
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18
A frothy, creamy drink in a textured glass sits on a marble coaster, with another similar glass blurred in the background.
New Orleans-Style Milk Punch
Creamy and rich, New Orleans-Style Milk Punch is a festive choice for Mardi Gras. Bourbon, brandy, or dark rum adds a smooth kick.
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19
Two martini glasses with lime slices and a martini shaker.
French Gimlet
A floral twist on a classic, the French Gimlet brings an elegant touch to Mardi Gras. Elderflower liqueur adds a bright, aromatic note.
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20
Grab a friend you haven't seen in a while and shake up a Tangerine Sidecar for him or her! This twist on a Prohibition-era classic is the perfect reason to get together. (via feastandwest.com)
Tangerine Sidecar
Brandy and citrus shine in this Tangerine Sidecar, a nod to New Orleans cocktail history. Sweet and zesty, it's a fresh Mardi Gras pick.
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21
the garnishes on a new orleans Bloody Mary
New Orleans Bloody Mary
Spicy, savory, and packed with flavor, the New Orleans Bloody Mary is a Mardi Gras essential. Garnish generously for a festive twist.
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22
A frozen mango cocktail garnished with colorful flowers sits on a white surface with half a mango and spent limes around it.
Frozen Mango Daiquiris
Frozen Mango Daiquiris bring tropical vibes to Mardi Gras. Sweet, icy, and refreshing, they’re a bright party drink.
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23
Two martini glasses on a tray with a slice of orange.
Sidecar Cocktail
Brandy, citrus, and a sugared rim make the Sidecar Cocktail a timeless choice. Smooth and balanced, it’s a refined option for Mardi Gras.
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24
A close-up of a cocktail in a decorative glass garnished with a slice of caramelized banana. A gold spoon and a yellow cloth are visible in the background.
Banana Daiquiri
The Banana Daiquiri delivers rich, banana bread-like flavor in a refreshing frozen cocktail. Smooth and tropical, it's a festive Mardi Gras treat.
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