The American bar scene is proliferated with trendier-than-thou establishments hawking the latest in the world of mixology with bartenders assuming a quasi-celebrity persona. These establishments may sometimes feel contrived and finding a bar that stirs up great drinks without the bravado can be a hard find. Enter Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, a New Orleans icon that has won awards all over the world for its top tipples that pay tribute to classic recipes.

Located in the French Quarter, Arnaud’s French 75 Bar is part of Arnaud’s Restaurant, an equally iconic fine dining Creole haunt opened by French wine salesman, Arnaud Cazanave in 1918. This spot is now owned by the Casbarian family who converted the restaurant’s ‘men’s only’ area into Arnaud’s French 75 in 2003. Dressed in dapper white jackets and black bow ties, bartender Chris Hannah and his bar team have rediscovered and continue to shake up heritage American cocktail recipes that were part of the country’s revolutionary cocktail era.

The bar itself is a 130-year-old beauty that has been restored and filled with top bottles from all over the world, house-made syrups, and only the freshest ingredients. Dip into the past with The Contessa, a Negroni variant that marries together Dorothy Parker Gin, Aperol, ruby red grapefruit, cranberry, and orange bitters. Or perhaps try one of Hannah’s own creations such as the tropical-inspired Lani Makai that’s made with two kinds of rum (Don Q and Plantation Overproof) as well as allspice dram, passion fruit, pomegranate, lime, and orange. Of course, the French 75 is not-to-miss and is made with Courvoisier VS, sugar, lemon and is topped with no less than Moet and Chandon.

Linger at the bar with some tempting bar snacks such as Black-Eyed Pea and Tasso Beignets served with jalapeño tartar sauce or Boudin Wontons served with a piquant pepper jelly mustard.

Photos: arnaudsrestaurant.com