Break out your beads, because Mardi Gras is here. Feb. 16 is the last day to consume all the deep-fried food, King Cake, and alcohol you can before Ash Wednesday arrives and Lent officially begins, which means it's time to cheers to Fat Tuesday. This year, bring the best of the Big Easy to you when you re-create the most iconic Mardi Gras drink recipes from the comfort of your own kitchen. The best part is, these drinks don't come with all the chaos and mayhem you would normally experience in the streets of New Orleans at this time of year — that is, depending on how many of these you drink.
If you're ready to celebrate Fat Tuesday on Feb. 16, these recipes are just what you need to get the party started. Complete with some of the most traditional and timeless recipes, these drinks will get you drunk on the spirit of the holiday after just one sip. From cheers-worthy French 75s to elegant Sazerac cocktails, bring the celebration of Mardi Gras right to your home no matter where you might be. Keep reading to see the best Mardi Gras cocktails, ahead.
Kick off Mardi Gras the right way when you whip up these hurricane mimosas. Complete with rum, passion fruit juice, grenadine, orange juice, and champagne, these are sure to get the party started. Just add beads!
Classic, timeless, and a Southern classic, you already know you can't go wrong with a mint julep. The only ingredients you need are bourbon, fresh mint, and simple syrup. Cheers to that!
You can find a daiquiri on just about every corner in New Orleans, which is what makes these strawberry libations a must have. They're sugary, refreshing, and intoxicating.
Grasshoppers have been a staple at Tujague's in the French Quarter since 1919, which means these are a Mardi Gras necessity. The best part is that they taste like the adult version of mint chip ice cream, so prepare to indulge.
You know it's a celebration when Jell-O shots are involved! These mint julep goodies have bourbon, mint, and sugar, plus a scoop of mint-flavored whipped cream on top that'll make your taste buds swoon.
Take Hurricanes to the next level when you make these fruity libations. Complete with passion fruit juice and booze, these will give you a serious Mardi Gras buzz.
Fresh strawberries, lime juice, and mint come together to make this mouthwatering libation. Ideal for a Fat Tuesday brunch, these drinks are light, refreshing, and totally tasty.
Surviving what comes after Fat Tuesday requires drinking yourself silly with the help of this blackberry lemonade. With a bright red hue that's alluring to look at, whip this up for anyone who's dreading giving up their favorite goodies for Lent.
Tropical, fruity, and full of rum, this passion-fruit drink was made famous by Bourbon Street bar Pat O'Brien's. With all the best flavors of the city, hurricanes will pretty much sweep you off your feet.
This honeyed twist on the French 75 cocktail is a go-to choice for Champagne fans. Your classy taste buds will enjoy it undoubtedly. This honey-sweet twist on the classic cocktail is doubled up on ingredients (save for the sparkling wine and garnishes), making for a slightly less effervescent but flavor-packed spin on an old favorite.
This fruit-flavored marg is almost like a cocktail-and-agua-fresca hybrid. In other words: very refreshing. You'll especially enjoy it after you've had too many sugary Hurricanes.
An old-school classic made only with the freshest ingredients, there's nothing quite like a whiskey sour, and the folks of New Orleans know this to be true. To make it complete, just top it off with a couple maraschino cherries or added shots — your choice.
If you're in the mood for a rum-based drink, look no further than the knickerbocker. It's sweet and refreshing, and will also fit in with any celebratory Mardi Gras display you have. Cheers to that!
Invented by a New Orleans barkeep in the 1800s, this frothy and refreshing classic is the perfect day drink. The combination of citrus, orange blossom water, and cream yields a sweet, tart, and refreshing concoction.
Imagine: tequila mixed with fresh lime juice, cucumbers, spicy jalapeños, and topped off with ginger beer. It has a fizzy twist and spicy kick, providing your taste buds with everything they could dream of. Not to mention, it also boasts one of the fun colors of Mardi Gras!
Delicious and pretty, these fruity drinks make entertaining effortless. With a pitcher-style recipe, you can make these before your Fat Tuesday soirée in minutes.
Tart and sweet, this whiskey cocktail flaunts a red wine float and gorgeous pink pomegranate-spiked base. While it looks hard to make, even a first-time cocktail-maker can whip it together in no time.
The Sazerac is a quintessential New Orleans cocktail made with rye whiskey, bitters, absinthe, and a lemon peel. If you crave something bold and straight to the point, this is the drink for you. This fun twist trades bourbon for whiskey and adds a dash of honey.
Who could possibly pass up this gorgeous drink? Infused with fresh cherries, honey, pineapple juice, and dried hibiscus flowers, it's basically a blessing for your taste buds. Fill each drink to the top, and garnish with hibiscus stems.
If you want to impress that special someone with your exquisite drink-making abilities, all you have to do is make this charming creation. Full of figs, plums, and elderflower liqueur, they'll be going back for seconds and thirds.
Inspired by Brazil's national cocktail, this pink drink is a cute addition to your Mardi Gras festivities. With fresh lime, mint, grapefruit, and white rum, this drink goes down super smooth. Drink up!
Add a little edge to your cocktail selection when you learn how to perfect this prickly pear margarita. The bright-pink-and-purple hue makes it even more fun to enjoy! Pair this with a green and yellow cocktail to bring the colors of Mardi Gras to life.
Add a kick to your apple cider when you whip up this boozy recipe. With only four ingredients (Champagne, apple cider, ginger ale, and bourbon), you'll be making this for more than just Fat Tuesday.
Perfect for any celebration, this colorful libation proves that hibiscuses are better than a bouquet of red roses. This two-layer creation consists of a bottom layer that's a mix of mint, lime, mango juice, coconut water, and rum, while the top layer is hibiscus tea and flowers to garnish.
Move over, mimosas — a new light and refreshing drink is on hand. Try a limoncello cocktail made from mint, lemon juice, and sparkling wine for a taste that's out of this world.
If you need a pick-me-up after celebrating Fat Tuesday, this four-ingredient drink will give you just that. All you need is vodka, espresso, simple syrup, and coffee liqueur!
If spicy drinks are your thing, we promise you'll fall in love with this tangy cocktail. It packs a big punch, so feel free to add as much (or as little) spice as you want.
Spice up the traditional mimosa recipe by adding cranberries to the mix. Not only will this make your drink look more sophisticated, but it'll also give it a tangy zest.
Cheers to a drool-worthy Fat Tuesday! In this recipe, the typical old fashioned gets an upgrade, thanks to the addition of apple butter, apple cider, and cinnamon sticks. It tastes like fall in a cup, which is perfect if you're celebrating Mardi Gras from a chilly location.
