When longtime New Orleans barman Chris Hannah departed his post at Arnaud’s French 75 to open this spot, it instantly became the city’s best cocktail bar. Located in a refurbished 19th-century house, Jewel is an elegant spot for a round or two. The sazerac, made with rye and Madeira, is a thoughtful twist on the classic, and Hannah offers both a traditional crusta and seasonal variations throughout the year. What to get: Sazerac, brandy crusta

A slip of a cocktail bar located in the Hotel Maison De Ville, Peychaud’s celebrates the famous 19th-century herbal bitters, a key component of the sazerac. While you’ll find a good one of those here, we’re partial to two of the fruitier offerings‚ the hurricane, which features a strawberry-infused rum blend, and the Peychaud’s fizz, a spritely number made with citrus-infused Peychaud’s Aperitivo finished with seltzer and cucumber. Sip both on the secluded patio. What to get: Hurricane

Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, one of the country’s foremost tiki scholars, is behind this tropical escape in the Bienville Hotel. You’ll find plenty of rum, but make your first drink the delightful gin-based Outcast of the Islands, with lime, ginger, and almond. Move onto the Sarawak Sazerac, a rum-based twist on the classic cocktail. What to get: Outcast of the Islands

This French Quarter dive bar is open from 10am to 7am, so it attracts a service industry crowd and visitors who know that this is the best place for an Irish coffee. There are two versions: hot and frozen, both of which are good, but the frozen version is special. They’re also just four bucks from 10am to 2pm. There’s an outpost of Killer Po’boys in the back in case you want a sandwich with your coffee. What to get: Frozen Irish coffee

From daiquiris to mojitos, a lot of iconic rum drinks come from Cuba, and Manolito celebrates them all. You’ll hear whirring blenders the second you walk into this little rum bar, so start with a frozen daiquiri, like the Floridita with maraschino or a strawberry version. Bartenders are also throwing cocktails, our favorite of which is the el presidente, a rum classic that includes vermouth, curacao, and grenadine. What to get: El presidente, Floridita daiquiri

This French Quarter favorite is all about rum (Cane) and Caribbean plates (Table). It’s perfect for a cocktail and a couple of small plates. Order the windswept Hurricane & Table, with housemade fassionola syrup and a rum blend, and snack on bites like crab croquettes with lemon aioli and beef empanadas. It’s also a solid spot to start your morning with weekend brunch. What to get: Hurricane & Table, frozen piña colada

On the outer edge of the Quarter, this beautiful lobby bar at the Four Seasons hotel sits beneath a striking chandelier and serves excellent versions of classic cocktails. The Chandelier martini comes with a sidecar of garnishes, and the stinger includes a little cucumber to freshen things up. The Cocktail Orléans is the standout — a bittered whiskey cocktail, it takes inspiration from three local classics. What to get: Chandelier martini, Cocktail Orléans

A French Quarter icon, the Old Absinthe House is our favorite place to end an evening (though you could also start your day here; the bar opens at 9am). Decidedly low-key, the crowd skews a bit older than many of the late-night spots in the Quarter, and the bar or adjacent patio are fine spots to enjoy a well-made sazerac. What to get: Sazerac