Sips: Bubbly and Stylish

The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to strong, robust cocktails. I usually like my drinks dark, brown and boozy. But with the temperatures rising, along with hemlines, sometimes a gal needs something a little less heavy-handed—something bubbly with a touch of sweetness. An effervescent drink that’s not too frou-frou. A tasty adult beverage served stylishly in a dainty vessel with an artfully arranged citrus garnish. In the immortal words of Ms. Christina Aguilera, what a girl wants, what a girl needs is a French 75. And nowhere in Baton Rouge, or anywhere else I’ve tried, serves up a finer French 75 than the bar at Hotel Indigo downtown (Map it!).

The French 75 is traditionally a mix of lemon juice, gin, sugar and champagne, but the bartenders at Hotel Indigo add a delicate misting of a St. Germaine/Grand Marnier mixture for incredible aroma, slight flavor, and to just plain gild the lily. Watching these masters of mixology at work is like watching art being produced before your very eyes. So next time you find yourself downtown, thirsty and needing a light pick-me-up that won’t weigh you down, stop at the bar and order up a French 75. All your senses will thank you.—Monique Evans (Photo by Erin Parker)