A Voodoo Ritual at Voodoo Lounge New Orleans

The Drunken Tomato blog has reached New Orleans, and for the inaugural post, we wanted to step into the most quintessential NOLA bar we could find. This brought this Bloody Mary aficionado to the Voodoo Lounge. After watching the Saints play (and lose) a close football game to Kansas City, it was time to imbibe in a Bloody Mary. Morning or night, win or lose, Bloody Marys seem to be the perfect drink to take off the edge. I headed to the Voodoo Lounge on the outer edge of the French Quarter to try out their house-made mix.

The Voodoo Lounge is appropriately named. New Orleans’ afro-Caribbean roots make Voodoo a familiar practice in NOLA; the bar is also a starting point for a well-known, New Orleans Ghost Tour. The spot has a decisively divey, but also neighborhood vibe. Andy, the bartender’s easy presence made the Saints loss a little less painful, and he grew quite the beard! Plus, he makes a mean Bloody Mary!

Voodoo Lounge Bloody Mary - New Orleans

Voodoo Lounge’s Bloody Mary starts off with a fistful of ice in a deep pint glass, Gordon’s vodka fills the glass about halfway before the house mix and 7-10 Cajun green beans are added. The mix base is made with the usual suspects of garlic, horseradish, tomato juice and celery seed, Louisiana flair in the form of Zatarains seasoning and Crystal hot sauce is also added. Exact ratios weren’t shared, but the taste is well balanced and powerful. The first sip is meaty and full of umami, seconds later, the back of your palette gets a welcome, gentle spice kick. Mixes are made in two gallon jugs, Andy pointed out, “The way spices work is if you don’t let them sit overnight you’re not letting them do their thing”, the jugs are constantly rotating out. Stop by Voodoo Lounge at any time during your stay in the Big Easy (they’re open 24hrs) and be sure to get a Bloody Mary!

4 Celery Stalks

Note - The green beans were a great garnish, those who expect a bit more pizazz in the garnish department may be disappointed, but let’s be honest, I’d rather more

Voodoo Lounge
718 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 265-0953