The entire Freret corridor is full of casual eateries with great cocktail programs in the shadow of New Orleans' granddaddy of craft cocktails (Cure), but the Neapolitan pizza joint has a distinctly Italian take on hand crafted cocktails. Housemade juices, syrups, and limoncello variants join high quality Italian liqueurs and the head of the cocktail program, Carlos Quinonez, creates twists on local classics - the Ancora Sazerac has Sambuca and grapefruit syrup in addition to the standard rye whiskey and Peychaud's - and original creations like the Witch's Kiss, which combines vodka, smoked apple syrup, Strega herbal liqueur, and housemade vermouth.

While the CBD and Warehouse District work to increase its residential population, Daniel Victory's quietly high-quality cocktail bar tucked among towering office buildings on Baronne will provide all comers with great cocktails and atmosphere. Plus, a free sample of the cocktail of the day. Try a Beetin' Down the Lime for a surprising and elegant take on tropical flavors with rum, beet reduction, brown sugar, and lime.

Known well for its famous Bloody Mary bar, it's easy to forget that very qualified bartenders can do the heavy lifting for you. The cocktail menu changes seasonally, but try the Spicy Ginger Margarita or the Duck Fat Sazerac, a perennial favorite.

Although much of the focus is on the food and music muses, Kimberly Patton-Bragg's cocktail program has breathed new life into the third Muse at this Frenchmen St. club. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the music and crowds that have claimed the street, Three Muses provides a sanctuary for the discriminating cocktail enthusiast. Patton-Bragg's extensive cocktail menu has original cocktails for all tastes, but her signature Spaghetti Western with bourbon, Campari-soaked orange, and rosemary syrup is always a great choice.

As Bacchanal started out as a wine shop, one might think that's all they serve. However, with its recent renovations and upstairs bar, this Bywater gem has entered the cocktail game as well. Try the BR-549 with mayhaw shrub, Treaty Oak rum, Ancho Reyes, and Elemakule Tiki Bitters or the refreshing Pinky Tuscadero, a cava cocktail with Lillet Rose, Campari, orange bitters, and and mint.

Batch Bar is the perfect place to escape the French Quarter for a barrel aged cocktail, some of which are made with house-infused spirits. Try the The Crescent Bend made with pecan-infused bourbon, ginger beer, drunken cranberries, and mint.

Lest the spinning daiq machines at Saint Lawrence hypnotize you, know in advance that the concoctions inside those machines are top notch boozy treats. Saint Lawrence also has an extensive non-frozen menu too, including the tiki-tinged Adoration (part 2) with pisco, orgeat, lime juice, pineapple, ginger beer, basil, and El Guapo Polynesian Kiss bitters.

Sink into the lush red vinyl banquette and enjoy boozy concoctions made without pretense, such as the Canedrake, made with gin, St. Germaine, citrus, and bitters or the Bulleit bourbon old fashioned - both of which are $6 so enjoy your good fortune.