Awesome New Orleans

Orgeat syrup is best known for its use in the Trader Vic’s classic Mai Tai. It’s usually made with sugar and almonds, but El Guapo’s special Creole Orgeat switches things up with organic Louisiana pecans. A delicious taste of New Orleans mixed with rum and fruit juice or with whiskey and bitters for a unique Old Fashioned. It’s also tasty in coffee drinks.

Mardi Gras is almost here, and there’s no better time of the year if you enjoy the colorful and sweet carnival treats. Author Matt Haines and photographer Randy Krause Schmidt cataloged more than 150 unique versions of the king cake, accompanied by the stories of the talented bakers who make them.

New Orleans is home to some of the world’s most talented musicians. Sid Kuhn shared this street performance by Doreen Ketchens belting out one of the best and raspiest clarinet solos in a cover of The Animals’ House of the Rising Sun. We recommend listening to the complete performance, but the solo hits at 3:33.

New Orleans-based violinist Dominique Hammons was playing at a wedding when he busted out into an epic and electric solo that got the whole crowd going. In case you’re unfamiliar with the tune, it’s the New Orleans Saints’ unofficial anthem Choppa Style. We love his cover of 2Pac’s California Love too.

Stay in the heart of the Big Easy’s Magazine Street district in this vintage apartment. It has tall ceilings, plenty of light, antique pine floors, exposed brickwork and beams, and a modern kitchen and baths. Behind its deceptively skinny front door, it has three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, making it a great getaway for family or friends.

Parkway Bakery & Tavern makes the best authentic New Orleans po’ boys. If you’re craving that crispy french bread and delicious fillings, then head to Goldbelly, who’s offering a variety of goodies from Parkway, including Roast Beef and fried shrimp po’ boys, as well as jambalaya, and their yummy hot butter rum cake.

Katrin von Niederhäusern and her friend Janine recently visited New Orleans, and while there, they decided to recreate the scene from The Simpsons where Homer goes on an eating and drinking binge around the Crescent City. Somebody needs to start offering this as an official tour.

A vibrant cover version of Marvin Gaye’s classic which will have you marching down the street, spinning an umbrella along to the Dixieland jazz sounds of New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band. Go figure that the video was shot in London.

The Big Easy offers some of the best iced coffee on the planet. Maybe it’s the sweltering heat that makes it taste better. Get a little shot of heaven with this NOLA-style concentrate (made in NYC.)

TA feels confident that the Brass Roots Kickstarter project will be a go – it’s a documentary chronicling the rich history, people and culture surrounding contemporary New Orleans brass band music.

Just before Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ Six Flags amusement park shut down, and never reopened. Teddy Smith takes us on a haunted tour with imagery that will stick in your mind for hours.