by M.D. Dupuy

As the local liquor trend pushes on, the same people that brought us King Cake flavored vodka are staying in the race for the top with their latest NOLA themed product. Although their new Fleur de Lis vodka is manufacted across the pond, native New Orleanian and Lucky Player Vodka co-owner Alfredo Diaz says the product embodies the spirit of the city, inside and outside of its festive bottle. 

The product of business partners Alfredo Diaz, Robert Konieczny, and Eduardo Marquez, Lucky Player Vodkas include flavored spirits such as the Carnival themed King Cake Vodka, Meringue Pie, and their Candy Apple. However, Diaz said the draw of their latest Fleur de Lis vodka is the spirit’s smooth taste.

“We tasted it against six other brands, and it’s much smoother than any other vodka,” says Diaz. “It’s distilled five times, filtered to get rid of that burning sensation you have on your pallet.” 

NoDef sampled the Fleur-de-lis vodka, and we agree that the distillation process gives it a distinctly smooth sensation going down. However, those who prefer brown liquors or who can't stand the taste of vodka should reserve Fleur-de-lis for mixing, as it blends seamlessly with non-alcoholic mixers.

Diaz is a New Orleans native, but Lucky Player is headquartered in South Florida. However, Diaz says he and his partners try to stay as authentic as possible when creating their New Orleans themed products.  

“We keep everything French,” Diaz says. “Especially the stuff we do for New Orleans. It wouldn’t make sense if we did our New Orleans vodka in Oregon, we do it in France because New Orleans has a connection to the country.” 

Diaz tries to make a lot of time to come home despite the fact that he’s based in South Florida. “I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m still here all the time,” says Diaz. 

Konieczny is responsible for the bottle’s elaborate design, which is largely black and gold. Photographs of a classic New Orleans architecture accent the large Fleur-de-Lis in the center of the bottle, complete with Mardi Gras beads that rest on the design’s edges.  

“I brought him down here to get a feeling for it when he was creating the bottle,” says Diaz. 

You can find Fleur de Lis vodka, as well as other brands such as Candy Apple and Meringue Pie, in grocery stores such as Rouses and Dorignac's. 

“It’s to show how much love I have for my city. We have a great project inside, and we work really hard to get it as smooth as we can.” 

Those looking for a sweet, rich dessert vodka should try Lucky Player’s “Meringue Pie,” flavor. NoDef tried the spirit, which smells and tastes exactly like meringue pie, and it's perfect for even the wimpiest drinkers to enjoy on the rocks. 

Candy Apple is another flavor that Diaz says reminds him of home. 

“I think about eating candy apples on the parade route,” says Diaz. Keep an eye out for two more locally themed flavors that are currently in the works.