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Cuisine

The History of New Orleans’ Favourite Cocktail, and How to Make It

December 6, 2023 by Luxury Gold No Comments

A punchy New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac has a long history, but remains a favourite in the Big Easy. We know the Sazerac was invented in New Orleans, but as for the exact bar it was born in?  

“There’s really no way to know,” says Matt Ray, the cocktail expert at the city’s Sazerac House. “Cocktail history is notoriously fuzzy, because not many people cared what bartenders were doing in the mid-19th century. And not many bartenders thought that what they were doing was important enough to catalog it.” 

Of course, we’re now in the midst of a classic cocktail renaissance. Travelers do care about a drink’s provenance, especially a drink as intertwined with a destination as the Sazerac is with New Orleans. Here, Matt takes us on a deep-dive into NOLA’s signature cocktail. 

Discover New Orleans on: Southern Grace

The history 

“Today, ‘Cocktail’ means a million things,” says Matt. “But in the early 1800s, it meant your spirit of choice mixed with sugar, water and bitters. You could walk into any bar in the city and ask for a ‘gin cocktail’, ‘brandy cocktail’, or ‘whiskey cocktail’, and that’s what you’d get.  

“At some point in the 1840s and 50s, bartenders started experimenting with new products from Europe ‒ absinthe, maraschino, curacao ‒ adding a dash or two and making a new category called ‘the improved cocktail’. That’s what the first Sazerac was: a cognac cocktail perked up with a swirl of absinthe. New Orleans was still such a European city in those days, and anise spirits like absinthe and pastis are so culturally important to Europe.”

We also think you’ll like: Nine essential cocktails (and where to drink them) in New Orleans) 

Winds of change 

Time, politics and the economy all made their mark on the drink over the next century. “As we became a much more American city in the late 1800s, tastes changed,” explains Matt. “Americans began to prefer oaked spirits to cognac; the quality of whiskey also went up following the Revolution. So bartenders started replacing the cognac in Sazeracs with rye whiskey. Another factor was the spread of phylloxera in Europe in the mid-1800s, destroying the grapevines that produced brandy and driving up prices.” 

Then, another twist ‒ absinthe was banned in 1912 for its supposed hallucinogenic properties.  

“The product that replaced it was called herbsaint,” says Matt, “another anise spirit which is almost indistinguishable.” Prohibition in the 1920s and 30s naturally had an impact, but for Matt, the real Dark Ages for the cocktail were the 70s and 80s. “That’s when classic cocktail culture kind of diWe also think you’ll like: All Natural: Meet the woman safeguarding the Mississippi Delta ed off, and everything became a mudslide or a Piña Colada. But New Orleans was still famous for hanging on to traditions like the Sazerac.” 

A timeless classic 

These days, the Sazerac beloved aperitif that New Orleanians still offer to family and friends. In terms of enjoying it like a local, Matt advises, “people usually drink it before dinner. It has a reputation for being the first drink you should have in the city ‒ I know a lot of people who make a point of having one right when they get into town. The locals also tend to have one around Mardi Gras, and around Christmas.” 

How you drink it also says something about you. “You can sip it slowly, so it opens up as it warms in your hands, or you can throw it back heroically,” says Matt. “You’ll see them on a lot of happy hour menus because it’s so quick and simple to make.” Despite its short stature, vintage nature and simplicity, young New Orleanians still order it in bars across
town. “People here don’t shy away from things their grandparents used to drink,” observes Matt. “Rather, the opposite: they find it kind of charming.” 

The recipe for this famous New Orleans cocktail

“First, you take two rocks glasses ‒ ideally a beveled rocks glass, if you want to get specific ‒ and you chill one of them. In the other, you throw in a sugar cube, or a quarter-ounce of simple syrup if that’s easier. Add three dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters and muddle that with the sugar, then add an ounce and a half of rye whiskey (I usually give that a quick stir to help dissolve the sugar).   

“Next, you add ice and give it a brief stir, then set that glass aside. Take the glass that’s been chilling, dump out the ice and add a splash of herbsaint or absinthe. Swirl it around the glass ‒  then either drink it or throw it out. Take your whisky mix and pour it really slowly into that chilled herbsaint glass. The last step is to squeeze a twist of lemon peel so it sprays a little lemon oil. I then either throw in the twist or use it to decorate the glass.”  

If you want to go old-school, advises Matt, make it with the original spirit, cognac. “The clove-peppercorn notes of rye are traded out for these rich, raisiny dark fruits. It’s a little bit more flowery and aromatic.” In terms of what can go wrong? “One of the worst I’ve ever had was completely green because it was probably half absinthe. It’s supposed to be a hint of liquorice or anise, not a punch in the face. And I once saw someone add Sweet’N Low instead of sugar.” 

We also think you’ll like: Our favourite classic cocktails and the timeless hotels to try them at 

Sazerac stars  

Okay, so we’re visiting New Orleans. Where should we go for that first, I’m-in-town Sazerac? “You could come down to the Sazerac House and take a cocktail-making lesson, or visit the museum exhibits we have. But in terms of a straight-up bar, I love Peychaud’s Bar in the French Quarter, which specializes in New Orleans classics like the Ramos Gin Fizz and the Vieux Carré (like a supercharged Manhattan). Otherwise, I’d recommend a bar called Jewel of the South, and a little dive downtown called Bar Tonique.” 

Discover the magic of the American South for yourself and sip a New Orleans cocktail on our Southern Grace limited-edition journey.

 

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Cuisine

Journey into the World of Luxury Coffee: Meet the Award-Winning Producers

November 21, 2023 by Luxury Gold No Comments
Barista pouring milk into coffee

How much would you pay for a cup of award-winning coffee? US$100? That’s how much you can expect to pay for a cup of Panama’s Elida Geisha Natural 1029, thanks to the small scale of its production and the sought-after quality of the beans.

But what sets these beans apart from those that you’re more likely to find in your local corner coffee shop? Simple beans can yield an average cup or a gourmet coffee experience depending on how they’re grown, harvested, roasted, and served.

Coloured coffee beans on plant, Arusha, Tanzania

Both the genetics of the bean and the ecosystem in which it’s grown influence its taste: for instance, Arabica beans are considered premium and can only grow in specific conditions compared to Robusta beans which are more common, cheaper, and can be cultivated in more subtropical and equatorial climates.

The processing, roasting, and serving methods can either mitigate or enhance the bean’s unique characteristics.

Whether you’re searching for a truly gourmet coffee experience or if you’re interested in simply how different cultures brew a cup, put these three countries at the top of your wishlist. 

Learn more: How the once-humble coffee bean conquered the world

You may also like: A glimpse inside a Tuscan wine dynasty

Indonesia

coffee beans in pot being hand roasted

In Indonesia, they drink their coffee black. 

If you’re someone who appreciates a little milk or cream, you may initially be unreceptive to this strong, bitter brew served as-is. But coffee from Indonesia, or “kopi” as it’s called locally, isn’t your average cup. Kopi Luwak is among the most expensive in the world and delivers an unrivaled coffee experience. 

Kopi Luwak is considered one of the best coffees in the world. These beans are sustainably sourced in Indonesia, and while sustainable sourcing is common in other parts of the world, Kopi Luwak employs very specific help when choosing which beans to use.

An Asian Palm Civet is a mongoose-adjacent species that has an extremely discerning taste for coffee beans: they’ll only eat beans that are ripe which allows the producers to identify which of these beans will yield a chocolatey taste that’s far from bitter.

Whole Kopi Luwak beans aren’t cheap. This producer and roaster based in Britain may charge US$120 (£94, €110) for a 1kg bag. With these prices, it’s obvious why you’ll want to skip the cream and sugar to drink this brew as black as possible.

If you prefer a cup of tea, then you’ll love the private high tea experience available on Luxury Gold’s 13-day Imperial Rajasthan tour. This journey through India includes a private visit to a colonial bungalow where you’ll learn about the British Raj.

Colombia

Worms eye view of Colombian flag on tip of building

Colombian coffee is a heavyweight in the coffee industry. It’s the county’s main export and has been for centuries. While Colombia does have a region called the Coffee Zone that produces the lionshare of the country’s beans, the country’s landscape featuring different altitudes, temperatures, and precipitation means coffee producers can grow a variety of different flavors of beans throughout Colombia’s borders. 

This is a country that adores its coffee like no other; there’s even a full theme park dedicated to the history, culture, and production of Colombian coffee called Parque del Cafe. You can’t go wrong with a cup from places like Cafe Jesus Martin, a producer in Salento that is championed even by fellow coffee growers. If you’re searching for an award winning coffee renowned around the globe, fellow Armenian grower Cafe San Alberto will deliver. 

Lush coffee plantations io in Colombia

Like most Colombian coffees, Cafe San Alberto’s Arabica beans are well-balanced, light and flowery yet still a little acidic. Their pickers use a five-step process: first selected on the tree for ripeness and density then separated by weight, color, and size during the drying and threshing processes to ensure each cupping batch is roasted properly to deliver a serene mix of dark chocolate and caramel-like flavor. 

Cafe San Alberto was the first Colombian coffee producer to receive the iTQi Crystal Taste Award, having won the iTQi Superior Taste Award three years in a row, adding to their World Food Fair Gold Medal and Land of Diversity award for most exotic Colombian coffee.

Get your fill of South American coffee when you book Luxury Gold’s Treasures of the Incas tour. Begin your mornings in Peru with fresh cups of coffee on this 12-day adventure that includes a Machu Picchu visit. 

Thailand

Traditional Vietnamese milk coffee

Indonesia’s not the only Asian country that gets a helping hand from wildlife for their award winning coffee. Thailand’s Black Ivory Coffee labels itself “the world’s rarest coffee”, sold only to specific five-star hotels and Michelin star restaurants, with only a small portion available for international purchase by the public. 

What makes this coffee so unique? Its limited reserve is initially digested by elephants. Though the phrase “elephant dung coffee” doesn’t evoke images of the finest Thai Arabica beans, Black Ivory Coffee is exceptionally floral and less fruity than other blends. Some have equated its non-bitter taste to that of a cold brew coffee, though we suggest you try it hot. 

The goal of Black Ivory Coffee is to foster the ethical treatment and protection of elephants; a lack of exploitation means a lack of product availability. This scarcity drives up the price, and if you’re lucky enough to find it in stock, expect to pay USD$2,500 (£1,964, €2300) for a 1kg box.

From Vietnamese iced coffee and egg coffee to fresh brews in Laos and Cambodia, Luxury Gold’s 16-day Inspiring Indochina tour covers 11 cities in 3 countries, each with opportunities for you to experience cafe culture at your leisure.

Read next: A gastronomic guide to Cape Town

Where does your favorite bean or blend of award winning coffee originate from? Let us know what you’re drinking in the comments below.

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Cuisine

Indulge Your Inner Gourmet With These Luxury Food Experiences

November 14, 2023 by kjbirtles No Comments

Indulging in luxury food experiences is about more than just eating; it’s a journey into culinary tradition and artistry and a true celebration of good food. From Michelin-starred restaurants and private dining experiences to hands-on cooking classes with professional chefs, here are 7 of the most remarkable luxury food experiences you can enjoy when you travel with Luxury Gold.

Michelin-starred lunch at L’Antic Moli, Spain

dish from L'Antic Moli restaurant

Photo credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Michelin stars are the gold standard in luxury food experiences, and you’ll indulge in a Michelin-starred lunch at L’Antic Moli in Ulldecona, Spain. The restaurant embraces contemporary, gourmet cuisine and follows the rhythms of the seasons from locally sourced ingredients. Not only has L’Antic Moli been awarded a prestigious Michelin Star annually from 2017 to 2023, but it’s also been awarded the Green Michelin Star annually from 2021 to 2023, in recognition of its commitment to sustainable gastronomy. The chefs at L’Antic Moli artfully combine traditional flavors with innovative techniques, creating a feast not just for the palate but also for the eyes. 

Experience it on: Spain & Portugal in Style

We think you’ll also like: What to expect when dining at a Michelin starred restaurant

Private sushi-making class in Tokyo, Japan

chef preparing sushi

Take part in a private sushi-making class with a master sushi chef in Tokyo, and discover the intricacies of this 2,000-year-old Japanese art. It takes ten years to become a master sushi chef, and you’ll uncover the secrets behind mastering this iconic Japanese dish. The experience is not just about learning the techniques, but understanding the philosophy and precision that define sushi-making. After the class, you’ll get to indulge in the creations and marvel at the chef’s culinary brilliance, with every slice of fish and perfectly prepared rice showcasing the mastery of sushi art. 

Experience it on: Majestic Japan

We think you’ll also like: Tokyo’s Finest: Uncover the City’s Top 8 Fine Dining Restaurants

Oyster tasting on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

three women enjoying oysters and wine by the sea in Croatia

If you love fresh seafood, you’ll adore this luxury food experience. We’ll journey to Mali Ston, a picturesque fishing village on the Pelješac peninsula of Croatia, renowned for its oysters. Here you can savor the taste of freshly harvested oysters, plucked straight from the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. These oysters are known for their unique flavor, a result of the pristine marine environment they grow in. Enjoy the oysters raw, with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of local white wine, all while admiring the charming village with its ancient stone buildings and tranquil coastline. 

Experience it on: Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast

We think you’ll also like: Where to Find the Most Rare & Expensive Food in the World

Mixology class in Mississippi, United States

bartender making cocktails

Get immersed in a unique blend of history and gastronomy at the Dunleith Historic Inn, a National Historic Landmark built in 1855 and the only pre-Civil War mansion in Mississippi. You’ll join the Bar Manager at Castle Pub for a private mixology class, where you’ll learn to craft two seasonal cocktails. This hands-on session will show you the ingredients and finesse of cocktail creation, but also share the history and stories behind each drink. After the demonstration, you’ll get to relax in the historic inn while sipping on the delicious cocktails you’ve just learned how to make.

Experience it on: Southern Grace

We think you’ll also like: Our Favorite Classic Cocktails, and the Timeless Hotels To Try Them At

Tuscan lunch and cooking class, Italy

House of Medici Tuscany

Photo credit: @visittuscany on Instagram

Delve into the heart of Tuscan cuisine with a unique culinary experience in the forming hunting lodge of the powerful Medici family. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, the stunning villa and estate has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. 

You’ll meet a professional Italian chef and stroll through the estate’s vegetable and herb garden, where you’ll handpick your fresh ingredients. Then head to the kitchens to learn how to hand-roll your own fresh pasta. As you indulge in your culinary creations for lunch, surrounded by the ancient frescoes and sculptures of the villa, you’ll take a journey through both taste and time. 

Experience it on: Ultimate Italy 

We think you’ll also like: 7 ways you’ll celebrate Tuscan food when you travel with Luxury Gold

Vietnamese cooking class and lunch, Hoi An

organic vegetable garden in Vietnam

This is one of our most incredible luxury food experiences, set in the dense coconut jungles near Hoi An in central Vietnam. We’ll first visit Cam Thanh Village, once a shelter for local people and soldiers during the Vietnam War, and today a critical supplier of rice, vegetables and seafood. You’ll step into a traditional bamboo-basket boat and float down the river to Thanh Dong village, where you’ll meet farms and learn how they grow and harvest vegetables and herbs. We’ll continue our voyage through the beautiful coconut forest to a riverside restaurant overlooking the emerald rice fields. Here you’ll meet a local chef and enjoy a hands-on cooking class, before indulging in your delicious creations for lunch. 

Experience it on: Spirit of Vietnam

We think you’ll also like: Fine dining, dressed down: the cuisine of Vietnam and Cambodia

Delhi food tour with a local chef, India

colourful spice powders in Delhi street market

Dive into the vibrant culinary scene of Delhi with a Foodie Walk guided by a local chef. You’ll explore the bustling city streets and aromatic markets, with the chef introducing you to a range of Indian delicacies. From sizzling street snacks to sweet treats, you’ll experience firsthand the diversity of Indian cuisine and its rich heritage. Learn about the intricate balance of spices and how the combination of flavors can transform a dish. Meet the local stallholders and gain insight into the traditional cooking methods and ingredients that make Indian cuisine so spectacular. 

Experience it on: Imperial Rajasthan

We think you’ll also like: A Journey of Flavor: The Mastery of India’s Michelin Star Chefs

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