Libations on a Friday Afternoon
Jun 15th, 2008 by Nola
Drinking in New Orleans. I could say no more and just post pictures. But who are we kidding?
Friday, a small group from the Twitterverse met up for lunch at Galatoire’s. I adore Galatoire’s, and have said so time and again. For a succulent read of Friday’s foray, read Pete’s post. It was a glorious time. After we finished dining, we were not done imbibing. So after having two Sazeracs at Galatoire’s, we headed off into the French Quarter for more.
Galatoire’s Sazerac
Being already on Bourbon Street, we did not have to stumble walk far to end up here, the quintessential place to continue the consumption of Absinthe:
Since absinthe is again legal in the U.S., there is a new fascination with the green-glowing liquid. The first brand we tried was Le Tourment Vert from France. The Old Absinthe House burns the sugar cube and then pours water over the cube to melt it. There is debate whether to burn the sugar cube or not; historically the cube was not burned. But, damn, it is pretty:
We then tried Lucid (also from France):
Then we did Kubler, made in Switzerland. My preferance? Tournment, Kubler then Lucid. But they were all smooth and tasty. Absinthe is anise-flavored. Licorice. But with the sugar and water that is added, it isn’t overly bitter. In fact, as for drinking, it is refreshing, and kind of like a breath mint.
Absinthe posters at The Old Absinthe House
Now, aside from the booze, there is really an allure for me to be in a bar in the middle of the day. It scares me sometimes how much I like it because left to my own devices, well, let’s not think about where I’d be on a given Wednesday at 2:30 in the afternoon if left to my own devices.
My ancestors on my father’s side of the family came to New Orleans over 100 years ago. We stepped of the boat and started tending bar in the Central Business District and the French Quarter. And we did this for decades. It hasn’t worn of yet, that desire to be in a bar during the day.
And most appealing to me is an old bar, one that may have seen my ancestors. Like the Old Absinthe House.
All the wood and brass. The patina of years of traffic. The legends and myths of meetings of pirates. Ah, to go back in time in the very seat you are sitting on! As the time passed, the bar went from mostly empty to quite busy. Much of the crowd, like us, meandered from Galatoire’s. Mid-afternoon, the skies growled then opened. And it rained. A lot.
And if there is one thing I like more than being in a bar in the French Quarter in the middle of the day, it is being in that bar with its doors thrown open when a good, hard rain comes through. It quiets all of the outside noises down; no sounds of traffic or Lucky Dog vendors or folks walking down the street. The entire universe, all, is what is inside that bar with you. It is a lovely way to span time.
After more absinthes than I care to recount (ok, four), we left the French Quarter and made a stop at the Swizzle Stick Bar for my other recent luxury, the Adelaide Swizzle. It was now 6:30pm. I was exhausted. We parted ways and ended a perfectly wonderful day of imbibing in the Quarter.
All right, I’m gonna have to jump on the absinthe bandwagon, I think. I’ve read enough about it over here and online lately to have to check it out.
Last night I read about a brand called St. George; they recommend just pouring it over an ice cube, no sugar at all. Have you ever had that? If not, what do you recommend me trying? Tournment? Or something else?
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What a day! I’m still learning about the Absinthe and I can’t think of a better place than the Absinthe House to be studying it. I was going to continue that Galatoire’s post with the drinking and absinthe, but you’ve done a great job, so here’s my two cents on the absinthe tasting.
The Tourment Vert had a good taste, but the artificial color threw me off. I’m taking it out of the running because of that.
The Lucid has the traditional green blush that comes from treating the distilled absinthe with fresh herbs before bottling. I don’t know where that blue tinge in the Vert comes from. I’ve learned that the Kübler is clear, as are most Swiss-made absinthes, because when the movement to ban absinthe was started, imbibers did not want it to be obvious what they were drinking.
Burning the sugar cube is considered gauche because, although it does indeed look spectacular, it can ruin the spoon and, once burned, the sugar no longer provides sweetness to the drink, only a burned caramel taste.
So, it’s Kübler, then Lucid. We’ll have to find some other brands as they come available.
Pontchartrain Pete’s last blog post..A Friday Lunch at Galatoire’s
What, no Absente? Surprised they didn’t have that one. It beats Lucid all to hell, I can tell you that. It has certainly spoiled Dan’s taste buds…
Sounds like a wonderful afternoon!
[...] in this crowd ended up, like we did, at the Old Absinthe House down the block on Bourbon St. Nola has written about that adventure, and what it’s like now it’s actually possible to drink absinthe again at the Old [...]
Liprap, they didn’t have Absente, but they did have a poster for it. Some of the other bars carry it, but I’ve been snobbish about trying it; supposedly it’s not made in the traditional manner and has artificial colors and sugar added already. Here’s the Absinthe Buyer’s Guide review: “Absente is neither absinthe nor a liqueur that can be taken seriously. It could have some use in cocktails or neat as small shots served cold. But for this purpose there are better and more herbal drinks available.” Score: 23/100.
But, as they say, the best wine in the world is the one you like to drink. Try the Kübler; the Lucid, to me, is a bit overpowering.
Pontchartrain Pete’s last blog post..A Friday Lunch at Galatoire’s
I could not be more jealous……. sigh. I’m going over to Pete’s site, but what pray tell did you eat at G’s?
You absolutely could write for travel guides or restaurant guides.
You make it sound magical and delightful.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..A nation coming together…
loved paul’s blog w/all the food pics! i’m def. going there when i get back to the NO. “being in that bar with its doors thrown open when a good, hard rain comes through” YES!! and i’m getting me some absinthe, too. WHEEEEE!!
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Ok I drooled over all the food photos on Pete’s page. Please let me know when you want to switch places- I’d be happy to spend a Friday afternoon in the Quarter if you ever need a day of shopping & dining in Chicago.
Or maybe perhaps on my next trip down we shall have to break the rules & have a blog to blog face meeting and enjoy the Quarter…and let me squeeze Sun’s cheeks
I love the history of New Orleans. Wonderful photos.
Tara R.’s last blog post..Twitter tutor needed
Hands down my favorite bar in NO–the Olde Absinthe House. Makes me wish I had never quit drinking.
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I AM SO JEALOUS!!! HOW FUN.
TWO MORE WEEKS TO NOLA–the countdown has begun!!
wpmomof2’s last blog post..4th of July Shirts
sounds like a perfect Friday to me! hopefully one of these times I will get to join in!!
Stacey’s last blog post..Quiet
Nice post - I am particularly impressed by your stamina - I would’ve been on the floor of the Old Absinthe House after all of those libations - very impressive indeed.
I am so, so jealous! It sounds like a perfect, summer afternoon.
Momo Fali’s last blog post..I’m Glad My Feet Didn’t Shine
Sounds like the ideal way to spend the afternoon!
Lanny’s last blog post..Extra Heartbroken
And one last thing, is the Tulane banner juxtaposed on top of the green fairy poster accidental? I say not.
Pontchartrain Pete’s last blog post..A Friday Lunch at Galatoire’s
What a wonderful day!! ANd I cannot wait to get back to NO.. soon.. I am telling you soon.. you make me want to leave now.
Kim’s last blog post..Things that make you go awwww..
michigan sucks. just sayin…
i want to try some of those libations though!
hey…how the heck are you?
xoxo
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That post was stunning, woman!! You have some mad talent capturing your outings in that amazing city.
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Ahh..that sounds wonderful
The ambiance of bars midday is like no other. Your encounter reminded me of my days in Florida, sitting in a pub in the afternoon and hearing the rain outside….lovely!
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You make me want to pack up everything and just move to NO.
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I can feel the warm, sultry air in New Orleans. Nothing better than watching the rain come down while sitting in your favorite bar on a hot afternoon.
Your photos bring back such good memories.
Did you have the stuffed eggplant at Galatoire’s? They do it so well.
loulou’s last blog post..Photo du Jour
I first had Absinthe in Nice, France a couple of years ago….in a drink that I cannot remember the name of at this moment but it was divine (mostly because it was imbibed on a sunny afternoon at a cafe while gazing at the Mediterranean and listening to Edith Piaf….)
btw those are FABULOUS photos in the post.