The coolest cocktails in the world are actually 360 degrees below zero

A cocktail so exclusive you can't even buy it

By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

New Orleans has given birth to many cocktails—the Sazerac, the Hurricane, and others. But on a recent trip to this cocktail capital, I tasted what I would call a hot new technique—Molecular Gastronomy—if were not so cool.

Chef Alon Shaya at the Besh Steak House in Harrah's Casino loves experimenting with new techniques. For the past few months, they have been serving "frozen cocktails" that are made tableside using liquid nitrogen. They have made everything from cosmopolitans to 150-year old Grand Marnier into ultra-smooth frozen drinks.

MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY MAKES THESE COCKTAILS REALLY COOL

Chef Shaya explained his technique to me, "The method used is by slowly stirring liquid nitrogen, which has a temperature of 360 degrees below zero, into any type of alcohol until it has the consistency of sorbet. It is not easy to freeze vodka or brandy due to its high alcohol content, but we have been able to perfect the method, and people have been going crazy for it."

This is definitely a labor intensive drink. It took a team of three to hold and pour and stir the ingredients together. It was much more exciting than bananas foster. As chef Shaya and his team created cocktails for my group of foodie writers, everyone in the restaurant seemed to turn and watch as the smokey steam wafted up. A bonfire in the restaurant led by the chef with the Maitre de assisting?

As Chef Shaya creates each drink, he looks like a mad scientist. Or a young boy who has gone crazy with his new chemistry set. Never have I seen a "bartender" so excited about making a cocktail.

"We have a lot of fun at the Besh Steak House when it comes to experimenting with new techniques," said Chef Shaya.

What do they taste like? A bit like the frozen ice cream dippin dots that you can get in many malls. But as they melt on your tongue, you taste the alcohol. Imagine the taste of candy or ice cream combined with the cocktail's more adult ingredients. Sort of innocence meets alcoholic.

A PRICELESS DRINK

How much do these drinks cost, I wondered. Actually, you can't even buy them. The chef makes them up for special customers. I guess that is just another reason to be a high roller at Harrah's.

Depending on your winnings or losses, this free drink could be the most expensive cocktail in the world.

Madelyn Miller is a cocktail connoisseur who loved these drinks so much she is considering taking up gambling. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com and www.carladynews.com

Besh Steak House in Harrah's Casino Hotel

FOR MORE INFORMATION

HELPFUL WEBSITES
www.neworleansonline.com
www.neworleanscvb.com

TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Instead of waiting till next year's Mardi Gras to rally for the city, invest in something that truly shows your support. Find things from New Orleaners.
Available online at b-native.com .

WHERE TO STAY
Harrah's
#8 Canal Street , New Orleans, LA 70130 (504)533-6000
www.harrahs.com

ALL I WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE I WENT TO NEW ORLEANS

There are two kinds of people who go to New Orleans, those who want to party and those who don't. If you don't plan to stay up all night, be sure to express that preference when you check in and request a quiet room, perhaps on a courtyard. Or consider staying outside the quarter if you value a good night's sleep.

I stayed at a to-be-nameless hotel (not in the hotel recommended above) in the quarter and called down to the front desk because of all the noise. They were prepared. They sent up earplugs. That was not enough. Two sleeping pills and six hours later, I learned there was a long list of people who wanted to change rooms. I waited (and slept) all day in my room waiting for another room, wanting to be sure not to loose my place on that special list. The helpful front desk person told me that more people than usual had called down to complain the night before.

MOST LITERARY TIME TO PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival celebrates its anniversary—usually the last weekend in March. Weather is cool, reception is warm, topic is hot.

BEST FICTIONAL BOOK ABOUT NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANT SCENE
Prime
By Poppy Z. Brite
Three Rivers Press
www.crownpublishing.com
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May05/1473Prime.htm

BEST PLACE TO GET ONLINE FOR FREE
201 St. Charles in the food court
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm

Free internet access at Krystal's on Bourbon with a $5 purchase

BEST "BLUES" EXPERIENCE
Blue cheese Burger at Rmeoulade's
309 Bourbon Street

BEST SHOPPING ADVICE
And Madelyn's favorite stores
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May05/1351Iatesomuch.htm

BEST LOCAL PLACE TO SHOP
RHINO
(which stands for right here in New Orleans)
504-523-7945
www.rhinocrafts.com
A non-profit educational organization whose purpose is to expand public knowledge of and stimulate public awareness in contemporary Louisiana fine crafts.

Bywater Art Market
Affordable Local and Regional Art
3rd Saturday of every month
Markley Park—Piety and Royal Street in Bywater 504-944-900

BEST SPAS
EarthSavers.

Several locations and all good for you and the environment. My manicure lasted for three weeks—a record for this frequent traveler who is moving luggage constantly and typing on my computer.
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/April05/1353ForgetVoodoo.htm

Belladona
2900 Magazine
504-891-4393
Some of the most creative spa treatments in the world plus a zen retail store. Enjoy tea in the meditative garden. The classiest way to relax with a massage, sauna, hydrotherapy, hot tub and more.
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/February05/1248NewOrleansBelladonnaDaySpa.htm

Arie
In the Monteleone Hotel
214 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-2201
www.hotelmonteleone.com

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
FEET ON THE STREET
Rambles Around New Orleans
By Roy Blount, Jr.
Crown Journeys
www.randomhouse.com

INSIGHT GUIDES NEW ORLEANS
From Discovery Channel
www.insightguides.com

ACCESS NEW ORLEANS
HarperResource/Access Press
www.harpercollins.com

NEW ORLEANS
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES
Over 700 pictures
DK PUBLISHING
WWW.dk.com

EATING NEW ORLEANS
From French Quarter Creole Dining to the Perfect Poboy
By Pableaux Johnson
Countryman Press
www.countrymanpress.com

2005 NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANTS
With bonus Nightlife section
ZagatSurvey
www.zagat.com

STORIES IN STONE: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography
Written and photographed by Douglas Keister
Dead men may tell no tales, but their tombstones do—and now there is a book that will help anyone become an expert on just what it is they are trying to tell us. Graveyard tours and funerary architecture are HUGE in New Orleans so you may want to study up.
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
www.gibbs-smith.com

NEW ORLEANS COOKBOOKS
Brenan's Cookbook
By Pip, Jimmy and Ted Brennan
Brennan's cookbook features a collection of the restaurant's famous recipe, a history of the restaurant (including information about the early family), and a history of the building (it was built by Edgar Degas -- the famous French painter's great-grandfather) as a residence.

Arnaud's Restaurant Cookbook
New Orleans Legendary Creole Cuisine
By Kit Wohl
Pelican Publishing Company
www.pelicanpub.com

Uglesich's
By John Ugleich
Pelican Publishing Company
www.pelicanpub.com

FLAVORS OF LOUISIANNA
AUDUBON PLANATATION COUNTRY COOKBOOK
By Anne Butler
Pelican
www.pelicanpub.com

BEST BOOK FOR MUSIC BACKGROUND
Triksta
Life and death and New Orleans rap by
Nik Cohn

Triksta has already gone to press when Katrina struck. Within a few hours, the world Nik Cohn had lived in and written about was largely destroyed, but its people, for the most part, survived. Alfred A. Knopf
www.aaknopf.com

BEST MUSIC TO GET YOU IN THE NEW ORLEANS MOOD
American Blues
Celebrate the Soul and spirt of the blues with some of America's greatest contemporary blues artists
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com

Mississippi Blues
A musical journey down the Mississippi River with classic blues from Memphis to New Orleans
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com

HELPFUL MAP
MAPQUEST NEW ORLEANS City Map . This large scale detailed street map folds up to 2"x3"