17 Mardi Gras Party Food and Drink Ideas
Brittany Barber
Contributor
If you're searching for fun Mardi Gras food and drink ideas for your Fat Tuesday party, then welcome! You've come to the right place. Everyone knows that New Orleans throws the best Mardi Gras parties, but guess what? You don’t have to be in New Orleans to have an authentic affair! Serving the right Mardi Gras menu will make your guests feel like they are partying on Bourbon Street, even if y'all are partying up North.
Even you choose to hire a seasoned caterer or a professional bartender to help you with your party menu, you'll want to take a look at this stellar collection of Mardi Gras food and drink ideas that are sure to give your event some New Orleans flair.
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Here are 17 of the best Mardi Gras food and drink ideas to add to your menu.
Mardi Gras Dishes:
Shrimp Po' Boy
Photo: Grandbaby-cakes.com
Po' boys have been a Mardi Gras staple since the early 1900s. This shrimp po' boy recipe from Grandbaby-cakes also shows you how to make a side of remoulade sauce. They're easy to make, easy to eat, and sure to be a delicious hit at your Mardi Gras party.
Jambalaya
Photo: Gimmesomeoven.com
An easy way to make sure your party guests are fed is with a big ol' pot of jambalaya! Check out this delicious Cajun jambalaya recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Gumbo
Photo: ImmaculateBites/Africanbites.com
Another Mardi Gras classic you should consider making is this flavorful chicken, shrimp and sausage gumbo recipe from African Bites. The secret ingredient? Creole Cajun seasoning. You're definitely going to want to check it out.
Cajun Shrimp
Photo: Park Feierbach/Delish.com
This Cajun shrimp recipe from Delish features bell peppers and corn for little bursts of sweetness. This recipe will go perfectly with the rice dish below, too!
Dirty Rice
Photo: Diana Christruga/Thespruceeats.com
This traditional dirty rice recipe from The Spruce can be used as a side dish, or even enjoyed on its own. It's super flavorful and jam-packed with protein that'll be sure to satisfy your Mardi Gras party guests.
Crawfish Dip
Photo: Greg Dupree/Southernliving.com
I don't know about you, but I'm already drooling over this crawfish dip recipe from Southern Living. Try this rich and cheesy dip with toasted baguette, saltine crackers, or even piled on top of bagel slices.
Shrimp and Grits
Photo: damndelicious.net
Comfort food at its finest, this garlic shrimp and grits recipe from Damn Delicious is, well, damn delicious. With some quick grits and jumbo prawns, you'll be surprised at how easy (and tasty) this dish is!
Mardi Gras Desserts:
Fat Tuesday Donuts
Photo: Emily Hlavac Green/Delish.com
This donut recipe from Delish actually comes from Polish origins — a dessert called Paczki. They're chewier than your typical American donut, with more of a brioche texture that'll make your Mardi Gras party guests go back for seconds.
King Cake
Photo: Jennifer Causey/Southernliving.com
Check out Southern Living's King Cake recipe for tips and tricks and how to make this iconic Mardi Gras dessert. You'll be happy you did — and so will your guests!
New Orleans-Style Beignets
Photo: Bakerbynature.com
This beignet recipe from Baker By nature is, just, wow. They're basically heavenly fried donuts — which might be my favorite thing to enjoy at a Mardi Gras celebration (or anywhere, really). They are fluffy, pillowy, and impossible to stop eating, so you'll want to have as many of these babies as possible at your Mardi Gras party!
And finally, Mardi Gras Cocktails:
Sazerac
Photo: Chowhound.com
Rumor has it, Antoine Amédée Peychaud is the man responsible for inventing this classic cocktail back in the 1800s. It became a popular drink at a saloon in New Orleans' French Quarter, which is why it remains a hit beverage at Mardi Gras parties and celebrations. Check out this Sazerac recipe from Chow Hound for full instructions on how to make this boozy treat.
Brandy Crusta
Photo: Melina Hammer/Cooking.nytimes.com
Try this Brandy Crusta recipe from the NY Times if you want to serve a historical (and delicious) cocktail at your Mardi Gras party. It is said it's the first sour ever to have been invented!
Hurricane
Photo: Mrbostondrinks.com
This easy-drinking, fruity cocktail is a hit at any party, especially if it's hot out. Stock up on rum and check out this Hurricane recipe from Mr. Boston Drinks to make your own.
French "75"
Photo: Mrbostondrinks.com
This French 75 recipe from Mr. Boston Drinks is a classic cocktail famously served at Arnaud's French 75 bar in New Orleans. Apparently, it was named after a gun used by the French in WWI — because after one sip, it'll give you a kick just as powerful.
New Orleans Fizz
Photo: Claire Cohen/Thespruceeats.com
This creamy cocktail recipe from The Spruce will feel more like a dessert than a beverage — which is sure to please any of your guests with a sweet tooth.
Café Brûlot Flip
Photo: Tina Rupp/Foodandwine.com
Here's a Café Brûlot recipe from Food and Wine that is a creamier spin on the original cocktail from New Orleans' French Quarter. It'll be a great cocktail to serve after dinner as a little caffeinated pick-me-up.
Roffignac
Photo: Chris Granger/Saveur.com
This vibrant cocktail is named after Louis Philippe Joseph de Roffignac, the well-liked mayor of New Orleans in the 1820s. Check out the delicious recipe from Saveur, so you can serve it at your Mardi Gras party!
Happy Mardi Gras, y'all!
Check out The Bash for more Mardi Gras party tips and ideas!
About Brittany Barber
Brittany Barber, lover of books, dogs, and romance, graduated from Bishop’s University with a Communications and Theatre degree. After spending some time working abroad in the theatre world, she is now a freelance writer covering a range of lifestyle topics including event planning for The Bash, WeddingWire, 2life and Fluttr, and shopping for BuzzFeed.
