New Orleans Award Winning Cocktail Tour of the French Quarter

The best part of a New Orleans cocktail tour is often the story behind the glass. This 90-minute French Quarter walk connects landmark drinking spots with the origins of drinks such as the Sazerac and Hurricane, giving you a lively introduction to the city’s cocktail culture without requiring you to order anything.

I like two things here: the guide brings local history into the walk, and you can choose whether to buy drinks at each stop rather than pay for a tasting package upfront. Guides Kim and Charlie have been praised for making the group feel at ease and for mixing cocktail lore with stories about New Orleans.

One consideration: this is not a formal mixology class, and drinks are extra. The planned stops include historic restaurants, but some outings have leaned toward smaller neighborhood bars, so check what route to expect if particular venues matter to you.

The short version: stories first, drinks by choice

• A 90-minute walk covers three French Quarter stops, with about 30 minutes at each.
• Cocktail history is the focus, including stories about the Sazerac and Hurricane.
• The $20 ticket excludes drinks and food, so your final cost depends on what you order.
• The route names Antoine’s, the Court of Two Sisters, and New Orleans Creole Cookery, though the experience may vary.
• Groups are capped at 16, which leaves room to ask questions and talk with the guide.
• Kim and Charlie are named guides whose relaxed, engaging approach has drawn particular praise.

A French Quarter walk with a glass of local history

Tastebud Tours frames this as a walking introduction to New Orleans cocktail culture. You meet at 400 Royal Street at 3 pm, then spend roughly an hour and a half on foot, hearing how drinks and drinking places fit into the city’s past.

The subject is broader than recipes. Your guide is there to tell the stories behind drinks and places, offer historical context, and suggest what you might want to try. If you are new to New Orleans, that combination can help you connect the names on a cocktail menu with the city around you.

The format is casual rather than instructional. You should not expect a bartender to demonstrate techniques or a tasting flight to be included. Instead, you get a guided route and the option to buy a drink at a stop if something catches your interest.

That distinction matters. The tour can suit you if you enjoy local stories and want a social walk with a cocktail theme. If your priority is sampling several drinks or learning how to make them, the extra cost of purchases and the lack of a formal tasting may make it a less satisfying fit.

Antoine’s: a restaurant with a long family story

The first named stop is Antoine’s, founded in 1840 and described as the country’s oldest family-run restaurant. Its age gives the guide a useful starting point for discussing how New Orleans developed as a dining city, and how food, drink, and social customs have changed over generations.

The tour does not include admission or a meal here. Treat this as a story stop, not a dinner reservation. If you want to eat at Antoine’s, plan that separately and check with the restaurant about its own arrangements.

There is a practical upside to keeping the stop focused. You can learn about the restaurant’s place in local life without having to commit to a full meal during a short afternoon tour. On the other hand, if you expect a cocktail in hand at every venue, remember that drinks are optional and separately priced.

The Court of Two Sisters: courtyard tales and the Sazerac

The next stop is the Court of Two Sisters, known for its courtyard, fountains, and daily jazz brunch. The setting gives the guide a change of pace from the street, while the stories connect the restaurant to the French Quarter’s past.

You may have time to order its Special House Beverage in a collectible to-go cup. The guide may also tell haunted tales associated with the Two Sisters and discuss the Sazerac, one of New Orleans’ best-known cocktails. The drink itself is not included in the ticket price.

This stop is a good example of the tour’s choose-your-own-spending approach. You can stay with the stories and save your money, or buy a drink if you want to make the stop more of a tasting experience. A collectible cup may appeal if you like a keepsake, but it is an optional purchase, not part of the $20 fare.

New Orleans Creole Cookery: a final chance to order

The third named stop is New Orleans Creole Cookery, a restaurant connected to the Tusa family, a local restaurant family. Its menu features Creole dishes such as Shrimp Creole and gumbo, but food is not included or offered as part of this particular tour.

The focus here is a special VooDoo Cocktail, available to purchase at the oyster bar or to take away in a to-go cup. That gives you a final opportunity to try a drink, though you should not count on a sit-down meal during the tour.

The listed route ends at Laura’s Candies, at 331 Chartres Street. That location makes the finish easy to place on a French Quarter map, but the tour description does not promise a candy tasting or a stop inside the shop. Think of it as the end point, not an included attraction.

What the guide adds, and what the route may not promise

A guide can make this kind of tour far more useful than simply walking from bar to bar. Kim has been praised for sharing cocktail and city history while helping people feel included; Charlie has been described as a strong storyteller with a friendly manner. The personal connection seems to be a major part of the experience.

Still, the tour’s emphasis may not match every expectation. Some people have found the actual outing more like a relaxed tour of small neighborhood bars than a visit to the named historic venues or a mixologist-led tasting. That difference is worth sorting out before you book: ask Tastebud Tours whether the route on your date includes the three named stops, and whether the guide will focus on cocktail origins, bar culture, or both.

The group limit of 16 helps keep the walk from feeling like a large procession. It also gives you a better chance to ask questions, though the experience remains a group tour and the guide sets the pace.

Is $20 good value?

At $20 per person, the ticket buys the walking tour, a licensed professional guide, historical stories, and recommendations. It does not include alcoholic drinks, food, or gratuities. So the base price is modest, but it is not the full cost if you plan to sample cocktails at each stop.

I see the value mainly in the guide and the context. If you are curious about New Orleans drinks but do not know where to start, a local can help you make sense of the Sazerac, the Hurricane, and the places associated with cocktail culture. That can be worth more than a list of bars, especially early in your visit when you are still finding your bearings.

For a budget-minded outing, you can join, listen, and buy nothing. If you prefer to try a drink or two, set aside extra money and remember that the tour does not bundle tastings into the ticket. The ability to choose is handy, but it means your total spend varies from one person to the next.

Timing, comfort, and other practical details

The tour starts at 3 pm, lasts about 90 minutes, and operates in all weather. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the conditions. Since this is a walking experience, a rainy or hot afternoon can change how pleasant it feels, so bring what you normally need for the day’s weather.

The activity is intended for adults 21 and older who want to explore New Orleans drinking culture. Most people can participate, and the group is limited to 16. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later than that are not accepted, so check your plans before the cutoff.

Who should book this cocktail tour?

I would consider it if you want an easygoing way to learn about New Orleans cocktail traditions, enjoy a guide-led walk, and keep control over how much you spend on drinks. It also makes sense if you like hearing local history in a social setting more than sitting through a formal class.

I would pause if you expect a guaranteed mixology lesson, included cocktails, a meal, or a fixed lineup of particular bars. The named stops provide a useful picture of the intended route, but the tour can have a more informal neighborhood-bar character. Ask about the day’s route before booking if the venues are a deciding factor.

For $20, the strongest reason to go is the guide’s storytelling. If Kim or Charlie leads your outing, expect a personable approach and plenty of local context. Go ready to walk, listen, and decide for yourself whether the cocktail menu is worth an extra purchase.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans cocktail tour?

It lasts about 90 minutes, with roughly 30 minutes planned at each of the three named stops.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 3 pm.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at 400 Royal Street and ends at Laura’s Candies, 331 Chartres Street.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. The $20 ticket covers the guided tour, stories, historical insights, and recommendations. Drinks are available for purchase at stops, and to-go cups are available.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included or offered as part of this tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is intended for adults 21 and older who want to experience New Orleans’ drinking culture.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted.