Hot buttered rum is a classic December drink, but Christmas cocktailing in New Orleans requires those behind the bar to get creative with “cold weather” beverages.

by Mary-Devon Dupuy

The team of artisanal cocktail creators at Cure decided that it was time for Lower Decatur to come out from behind the Iron Curtain. The newly named Perestroika at Pravda (1113 Decatur) is restructuring, offering the city’s Slavophiles even more to love about the dimly lit den on Decatur. Co-owners Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estiponal and have already refocused the spirit selection, banned smoking inside, and they have plans to start serving Eastern European cuisine.

As Tales of the Cocktail begins, booze buffs are gearing up for Spirited Dinners, demos and seminars like "Candy is Dandy but Liquor is Quicker." But the annual event wouldn’t be complete without the legend of at least one libation, and there's no better place to turn than the official cocktail of the Crescent City. NoDef caught up with local bar owner and mixologist Neal Bodenheimer for the saga of the sazerac.

by Brad Rhines

At Bellocq’s grand opening last night, patrons partied like it was 1899.  Bellocq, which is the newest venture from the crew at Cure, specializes in 19th century cocktails and officially opened late last month on Lee Circle, alongside the newly renovated Hotel Modern. 

Despite the happy hours of research, the drink list is one of our favorites to make, and 2011 was an exciting year. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and we found ourselves putting Tracey's and Parasol's, & Shamrock and Rock n Bowl all on our lists. Likewise, 2011 saw the rise of mixology, and in 2012, we're looking for the backlash against mixology. So, read on to the full list.

CBD - After taming the wilds of Freret Street, Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal are taking their talents downtown. The partners responsible for Cure, the Uptown cocktail bar regularly named as one of the country’s best, are teaming up again for Bellocq, a new lounge opening up in the recently renovated Hotel Modern.

No one appreciates a bar, drinkery, saloon, lounge, or gin-joint more than the people of New Orleans! In 2010, we saw some classics reemerge, one close, and a few great new bars open. In the world beyond High Life, cocktailing and wine really took off. This new star continues to rise into 2011.