Shecky’s

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnival season…whatever you call it, it’s an excuse to indulge in some good food and drink on a weeknight. Whether you’re in NOLA for the party or not, put on some beads (pretend you earned ‘em) and shake up one of these dangerous cocktails to let loose like those parading down Bourbon St. Drinkers beware: just like the crowds, these strong cocktails are crazier than usual. Take a swig like a true Louisianian and enjoy responsibly!

-Tricia Carr

Seventy-ish years ago, sailors in New Orleans drank sweet rum cocktails in hurricane lamp-shaped glasses and it stuck as the drink most associated with the city. Now they’re a little bigger and better, especially when prepared from scratch. Make the orange-pineapple-cherry-rum mix in your own kitchen with TomaytoTomaaahto.com’s traditional New Orleans Hurricane recipe. Four ounces of rum give drinkers a quick burn on the first sip—a sign that it’s up to par with the cocktails served at Mardi Gras.