Five O’Clock Somewhere

Let’s Raise a Toast to New Orleans

NOLA’s Hurricane cocktail is an enduring symbol of a city that needs our support

The Hurricane is a rum-based cocktail created in New Orleans and served in a signature glass. Image: Getty

In the days of yore, one of the best press trips I ever went on was to the beautiful city of New Orleans. NOLA. The Big Easy. I fell in love with it on a steamy August night, as my husband and I strolled on cobblestone streets as we headed back to our hotel. A light drizzle began, a solo saxophonist continued his song in the falling rain. The ornate fretwork buildings in the background, a streetcar trundling by — all of it made for such a memorable, romantic experience. Maybe you’ve had a night like that in New Orleans too; unforgettable and luminous in your memory.

I’d say New Orleans is like no other city in America, in terms of the contributions it has made to culture, to music, to food, to beverage history and more. Visiting there brings me such a feeling of my Caribbean homeland, combined with deep, dark American history, creating an intoxicating blend. New Orleans is a magical city that can transport you with romance and break your heart with devastation at the same time. The residents have experienced so much — too much, some might argue. Yet despite all odds, New Orleans is a city of ingenuity, strength, humor, and creativity. I think one cocktail that was…