This is the season for comforters, seafood gumbo and holiday cocktails crafted with care and served in custom Santa mugs.
Sippin' Santa, the annual winter promotion that transformed Latitude 29 at Beachbum Berry from a tropical tiki bar into a festive winter wonderland, is back with five new drinks and fun collectible mugs.
Sippin' Santa has transformed this tropical tiki bar into a fun place for Santa with seasonal cocktails. (Personal photo by Jabez Barnier)
Around 40 pubs across the country took part in this year's official Sippin' Santa celebrations, decking out their premises with twinkling lights, giant ornaments, Santa hats and Christmas wreaths. All cocktail mixes are created by New Orleans owner Jeff "Beachbham" Berry at the event.
"For me, it's Christmas all year round," says Berry, a tiki expert who hosted the event in New Orleans in 2016. She says she starts preparing for the event in January each year. For a successful season, new recipes are mixed, mugs are designed, decorations are bought, playlists are created and even the menus receive special attention.
This year's drinks include Kris Kringle Colada, Sippy Santa, Island of Misfit Toys, Holiday on Ice, Jingle Bird, Yule Tide, Undertow Toddy and Rudolph's Rum Rhapsody.
Undertow Toddy (cognac, chartreuse, curacao, and chocolate hazelnut syrup) is served hot, while Rhapsody Rudolph Rum (Jamaican and Puerto Rican rum, lime, orange, pineapple, passion fruit, falernum, honey, ginger, flavors) is served. Bowl for two
"We are ground zero," Berry said. "Everything comes from here."
Making the drink is the most fun part of the process, says Anane K-Berry, Berry's wife and business partner.
"We are very lucky to have such a creative team," said K-Berry. "Testing a recipe with a team is so much better than working alone. It's a social process."
Sample Santa Claus (a blend of aged Demerara rum, bitters, lemon, orange, gingerbread) at Latitude 29 by Beachbum Berries in the French Quarter. (Personal photo by Jabez Barnier)
Berry says he couldn't pick a favorite cocktail this year, but settled for the Sippin' Santa (a blend of aged Demerara rum, bitters, lemon, orange and gingerbread) made by the bar's former head bartender, Brad Smith.
"It's a very good drink," he said. "It's the only one that lasted eight years."
He added, "It does what Sippin' Kervader does. Which is, it combines Christmas flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg with tropical and citrus flavors."
tiki market
Over the years, the mugs have become as popular as the drinks, according to Berry.
"The market for tiki mugs has exploded," he said. "There are parties and events where everything sells out in hours because of collectors."
He added: “Now they also collect Christmas cups. Now the cup is divided almost equally."
This year's mugs include Surfin' Santa, Sippin' Santa Marsanta, Tiki Hot Mug, Beachbum Berry Sippin' Santa Coconut Mug, and Sippin' Santa Tiki Tub Common Bowl. Everything is available for purchase.
An unmatched taste of New Orleans
The pop-up itself is extra and dramatic, but Berry says that's why it fits so well.
"New Orleans style is cool and warm," she says. "It's like Christmas in a bar."
The tropical interior of Latitude 29 at Beachbum Berry gets a makeover for the annual Sippin' Santa pop-up. (Personal photo by Jabez Barnier)
K-Berry said the pop-up was welcomed by the community.
"We've been asking people since June," he said. "Ever since year one, people have embraced it, like they do every year."
Sippin' Santa operates December 31 at the 29th parallel, which means you'll have plenty of time to sip holiday cocktails while singing along to your favorite holiday tunes.
"It's very simple," he said. "People just want to hang out and hang out with friends and get in the holiday spirit."
Cocktail menu 2022
Kris Kringle Colada: dark Jamaican rum, bitters, allspice liqueur, lime, pineapple, coconut cream
Sipin Santa: A blend of Demerara aged rum, bitters, lemon, orange, ginger
Misfit Toy Island: Aged Jamaican Rum, Tea, Cream, Pumpkin Puree, Cinnamon, Lemon
Holiday on Ice: Vodka, Cold Baked Fudge, Condensed Milk, Ancho Chili Liqueur, Cinnamon Syrup
Jingle Birds: Bourbon, Pineapple Rum, Campari, Lime, Pineapple, Jingle Mix
Yeol Tide: Tequila, applejack, lime, cranberry maple syrup
Undertow Toddy (served hot): Cognac, Chartreuse, Curacao, chocolate hazelnut syrup
Rhapsody Rudolph rum (for two): Jamaican and Puerto Rican rum, lime, orange, pineapple, passion fruit, falernum, honey, ginger, aromatic bitter
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Latitude Beachbum Berry 29
St. N. Peters, 321, (504) 609-3811
Sunday-Thursday, 4pm-10pm
Friday-Saturday, 4pm-11pm
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