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Your Ultimate Guide to an Unforgettable Mardi...
Mardi Gras is just around the corner, and it’s time to prepare for the festivities! Whether you’re a seasoned bead-catcher or a first-time attendee, we’ve got you covered with essential tips to make your Mardi Gras experience unforgettable. And, of course, no celebration is complete without the perfect drink in hand—discover how NOËL Spirits can elevate your festivities.
Mardi Gras weather can be unpredictable, ranging from warm, sunny afternoons where you’re sweating to chilly mornings with close to freezing weather. To stay comfortable:
- Layer Up: Wear breathable clothing that allows you to add or remove layers as temperatures change.
- Comfortable Footwear: Parades mean lots of walking and standing; opt for shoes that can handle long hours and very messy streets.
- Weather Accessories: Pack a portable poncho for unexpected rain and have sunscreen handy for sunny days.
NOËL Spirits Now Served in Tiger Stadium
NOËL Tequila was recently named the official tequila of LSU®
Athletics, baby! We’re thrilled to be the only tequila offered by a Louisiana distillery sold in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Tiger fans can now enjoy both of our additive-free expressions of exceptionally smooth 100% agave tequilas during game day.
Read the official announcement in our press release here.
Our family has been Tiger fans for decades. It felt like a dream to sip our tequila in Death Valley alongside other fans during the first home game of the season. GEAUX TIGERS!
NOËL Family Distillery is proud to be the only Louisiana distillery to offer tequila. It’s a genuine labor of love and a responsibility we take seriously.
Both small batch expressions are made in Jalisco, Mexico with a propriety blend of mature-harvested lowland and highland 100% Blue Weber agave. The result? Smooth, balanced, and delicious flavor.
Reposado is aged in former Jack Daniel’s oak barrels and imparts distinct notes of oak, caramel, almond, and baked agave. (Find us in stores)
Blanco is slightly sweet with notable hints of pineapple, vanilla, pepper, and cooked agave. (Find us in stores)
You don’t have to choose just one! We created many refreshing cocktail recipes to enjoy with either Reposado or Blanco tequila and a special Blueberry Spiked Lemonade to celebrate our new partnership with LSU®
Athletics! Enjoy it on game day or any day.
What could be better than sipping a margarita or ranch water on a Saturday night while cheering on our Fighting Tigers? See you at the game!
To learn more about our deliciously smooth tequila and other ultra-premium spirits, book a tour and tasting at our Donaldsonville, LA distillery today. Meet our master distiller, learn about our rich local history, and sample all of our delicious spirits. Be sure and take a few bottles home with you too.
Not local? No problem, you can order online here to receive your Louisiana sipping spirits delivered straight to your door.
Honoring Jimmy Buffett With Our Fall Margarita
When we think of Jimmy Buffet, most people conjure up images of parrot heads, margaritas, Key West, and…Louisiana.
The world lost the King of Trop Rock and a music legend this September. Although he will be sorely missed by diehard followers and casual fans alike, his music will most certainly live on. Along with the ever-present steel drums and guitar, Buffett’s music wouldn’t be what is today without New Orleans.
Buffett himself credits New Orleans for having a big influence and presence in his life and career. He is best known for his 1977 classic hit, Margaritaville.
While Buffett was born in Mississippi, he moved to NOLA in 1969 where his musical talents were discovered and nurtured. “He fell in love with the city back then,” said NOLA.com music writer Keith Spera. “The city helped kind of give him the confidence to go out and do what he was going to do.”
According to 4WWL TV in New Orleans, “He adopted the city and it was glad to have its newfound son.” Jimmy loved playing for the crowds and clubs on its famous and well-loved streets.
Of course, Jimmy also had a fondness for Tequila and we just know he would have fallen in love with our small batch of ultra-premium sipping spirits that finish a refined Margarita.
Jimmy himself said, “Life is a journey that’s not measured in miles or years but in experiences.” We hope you’ll join us in a toast to JB for sharing his many talents with us over the years and giving us cherished experiences and memories.
And, of course, we hope you’ll choose Noel’s Distillery’s Tequilas (and don’t forget the classic island spirit rum!) for the well-deserved tribute. Remember to heed Buffett’s timeless words, “If life gives you limes, make Margaritas.”
Rest easy, Jimmy with your shaker of salt!
- 2 oz NOËL Tequila Blanco (Buy Now)
- 1 oz Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.75 oz Lime Juice
- Add all ingredients to your cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until chilled
- Pour in a short glass over ice
To learn more about our ultra-premium spirits, book a tour and tasting at our Donaldsonville, LA distillery today. Meet our master distiller, learn about our rich local history, and sample all of our delicious spirits. Be sure and take a few bottles home with you too.
Not local? No problem, you can order online here to receive your Louisiana sipping spirits delivered straight to your door.
How Our Tequila is Made From Agave...
Not all sweeteners are equal and there are many ways to produce sugars and syrups.
Still, there’s no doubt one of the most interesting is the creation of agave sugar.
Agave sugar is a versatile sweetener used in the kitchen and bar. It’s much sweeter than regular sugar, so a little goes a long way and it has a low glycemic index. Agave syrup can be substituted for honey and table sugar in many recipes, cocktails, and desserts.
This Mexican specialty has deep cultural roots and is the base for our fabulous tequila. Read on to discover its secrets and how Noël Tequila is sourced and processed from this unique plant.
There are many different types of agave. These cactus-like plants grow in the arid Mexican landscape and similar regions such as the southern USA and the Caribbean.
Agave plants are tough and evolved to weather the harshest conditions, with little water and intense sunlight.
The plants retain water in their often-spiny leaves. However, they also store energy in the form of starches which can be turned into sugar.
Agave sugar is typically fermented to produce the base of exciting spirits like Mezcal and Tequila. Still, consumers are curious about the sugar itself, which leads us to the creation of agave syrup.
The famous Tequilana Weber Blue Agave is the most common source of agave sugar, whether it’s destined to become Tequila or syrup. The plant is easy to grow and contains a big, starchy “heart.” When harvested, the spiny leaves are cut and the heart is later processed to make alcoholic spirits or syrup.
Since the agave’s starches are large molecules that are not sweet at all, the hearts must be cooked to break them down into smaller, sweeter sugar molecules.
How do you cook an agave heart? Traditionally, producers used an underground pit oven. However, modern ovens are the norm today. The result, though, is the same: cooked agave hearts filled with sweet sugars that are ready to be extracted.
Our agave is matured harvested and cooked for up to 30 hours to reveal the full aroma and flavor of the agave plant.
5 Refreshing Cocktails to Celebrate National Rum...
Rum is the very essence of the Caribbean — sugar cane turned into a rich, aromatic, and subtle sweet spirit evocative of warm tropical weather. But you don’t have to travel overseas to experience authentic barrel-aged rum.
It’s available right here in our Louisiana distillery!
Enjoy our rum as a sipper or mixed into some of the most popular classic recipes. Here are 5 refreshing cocktails to celebrate National Rum Day:
The Cuban specialty is the 10th most popular cocktail worldwide, and it’s enjoyed everywhere. Fresh mint and lime juice are the most refreshing combination — the perfect stage for our tequila-cask finished rum to shine. Muddled cocktails are in vogue right now, and the mojito is the most popular in the category.
- 1.5 oz NOËL Rum (buy now)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 6 sprigs of mint
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- Sparkling water
In a rocks glass, muddle the mint with the sugar, add the lemon wedges, and muddle until squeezed. Pour the rum, fill with crushed ice, and top with soda. Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.
After the mojito, the daiquiri is the most famous Cuban cocktail, and they share personalities — they‘re both made with rum, lime juice, and sugar. However, the daiquiri looks and feels fancier, as it’s often served on slick martini glasses. This three-ingredient combo is easy to make at home and shows how balance is all you need to craft the perfect drink.
- 2 oz NOËL Rum (buy now)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
Fill a shaker with ice and add the ingredients. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
This 1940s exotic and colorful drink is as stunning as it is delicious. The original recipe calls for a curvy cocktail glass, the hurricane glass; however, you can use a highball if you don‘t have tropical glassware.
Click Here for our recipe
A Look Inside Our Vodka Distillation
Vodka is one of the most consumed spirits worldwide. Its neutral flavor makes it the perfect base in the trendiest cocktails because it allows other ingredients to shine. The name vodka comes from the Russian word “voda” meaning water.
NOËL Vodka requires no aging and may appear to be a simple spirit on the surface. But don’t be fooled! Our ultra-premium vodkas are anything but ordinary. When creating our flavor profile, our goal was to bring you the smoothest and most delicious vodka that can be sipped straight–no mixer needed!
Enjoy as a sipper on the rocks or enhance your favorite cocktail with our delicious vodka that is proofed and bottled right here in our Louisiana distillery.
Let’s take a closer look inside our vodka distillation process…
The first vodka was made by distilling a fermented mash made of potatoes.
Soon grains such as wheat and rye became popular fermentable bases for the clear spirit too.
However, distilleries worldwide can use anything, from sugar cane and grapes to soybeans and apples, to make vodka. Surprisingly, even quinoa and honeycomb are used by some producers. If you can ferment and distill it, you can use it to make vodka.
At NOËL Family Distillery, we use 100% corn produced in the USA which imparts a subtle sweetness and a luxurious mouthfeel. Our vodkas are exceptionally smooth palate pleasers and finish without the burn. This is something that sets us apart from our competition.
Vodka starts with a mash, a technical term for a starchy and sugar-rich liquid that is fermented. Steamed rice, corn, wheat, grapes, and anything in between are used as the base of much of the vodka produced in the USA.
Depending on the ingredients used, no two mashing processes are the same. It’s more challenging to extract fermentable sugars from potatoes than from grapes for example.
Alcoholic distillation–separating the alcohol in the mash by gradually heating a fermented liquid–can be traced back to the ancient Arab world.
Of course, not all alcohol is the same. The first and last fumes to evaporate in a distillation still, the “heads and tails,” must be discarded because they’re highly toxic. These are referred to as “cuts” and they are expertly made by our master distiller, Chip Noel.
The sweet spot in between, the pure ethanol–the good stuff is aptly referred to as the “heart.” This is what ends up in the bottle and in your cocktail.
Fun Facts to Celebrate National Tequila Day!
Tequila is soaring in popularity in the US according to the Distilled Spirits Council. This Mexican spirit isn’t just a fading trend. In fact, “super-premium” tequila sales have spiked 1,522% since 2003.
So, crack open a bottle of NÖEL Tequila offered in two unique expressions and learn some fun facts about this beloved agave spirit while sipping.
Revealed! 3 Vodka Cocktails With Intriguing Origins
When you sip your favorite drinks, are you curious about their seemingly mysterious beginnings? Although the details remain murky about the roots of some cocktails, others are more clear.
Read on to discover the juicy details of some of your favorite classic cocktails made with NOËL Vodka.
The genesis of this drink launched a targeted advertising campaign in the 1940s to reverse America’s chilly response to vodka.
Back then, the spirit was associated mainly with Russia, hence the drink’s name. But the first Moscow Mule was poured far away in Hollywood, CA.
Legend has it that three friends each sold an integral part of the recipe; a copper mug, vodka, and ginger beer.
The problem? On their own these components didn’t sell, so they packaged them together and poured the first Moscow Mule at the famous Cock n’ Bull Pub on Sunset Blvd.
“Mule” was added to the name to celebrate the “kick” of flavor from the ginger beer and this unique drink was a runaway hit with celebrities. Word spread and the Moscow Mule’s enduring popularity continues today.
The pairing of citrus and refreshing ginger beer makes this one a crowd-pleaser, especially in the hot summer weather.
Historians are conflicted about the true origins of one of the first vodka-based cocktails.
Some credit the delightful tall citrus drink to American marines during WW II. While others tie its roots to Mid-20th-century American oil workers in the Persian Gulf who snuck vodka into their orange juice while on duty. They had only screwdrivers to stir it with–and just like that, the Screwdriver was born.
No matter which version you believe, the combo of vodka and orange juice is the very essence of beauty and simplicity. It works, even if you don’t stir it with an actual screwdriver.
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 oz NOËL Vodka
- 3.5 oz fresh orange juice
PREPARATION
Fill a highball glass with fresh ice and pour the vodka and orange juice. Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice.
Originally made with gin, this time-honored cocktail was born out of medical necessity in the 19th century. British sailors (“limeys”) drank Vitamin C-rich lime juice to ward off scurvy. They soon discovered that mixing it with gin masked the sour-tasting limes-and viola- the Vodka Gimlet was invented!
When vodka gained popularity in the 1970s it replaced gin. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy this easy and timeless cocktail.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz NOËL Vodka
- 3/4 lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
PREPARATION
Mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously (about 15-30 seconds) until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
12 Essentials For Every Home Bar
Kelsey Taylor welcomes visitors to the bar at NOËL Family Distillery. “Cocktails are fun and even more exciting when you mix them yourself and share them with friends and family,” she says.
All that’s required to whip up classic or even quirky libations is a home bar setup with a few NOËL spirits, mixers, some essential barware tools and glassware, and a batch of dependable drink recipes.
Not all cocktails are created equal. Some are served on the rocks and others neat. Some are best enjoyed in short glasses, and others you shoot in a single gulp.
A well-rounded collection of glassware includes:
- Martini glasses
- Rocks glasses
- Highballs and beer mugs
- Shot glasses
- Specialty stemware, such as margarita glasses
- Wine glasses
3 Easy Vodka Cocktails to Celebrate Summer
Summer is finally here!
What better way to kick off BBQ and outdoor living season than with some easy breezy freshly made cocktails? We’re sharing 3 simple vodka drink recipes that you’re sure to love.
NOËL Vodka is known for its crystal-clear appearance and neutral flavor, making it a popular party mixer that doesn’t overpower other ingredients. The ultimate versatility of this spirit is a must for every home bar. Use it as a base for your own creative cocktail recipes.
Vodka is made by distilling any fermented base, whether it’s grains, grapes, or potatoes. We use 100% USA-produced corn, distill it 6 times, and charcoal filter to flush any impurities while assuring a balance of character and purity. The result? Luxurious mouthfeel, exceptionally smooth on the palate, and has no burn.
So, raise a glass, NOËL Family Distillery offers two unique vodkas (both gluten-free) that are made for summer moments. And they’re sure to raise your spirits as well!
This savory cocktail recipe combines vodka, tomato, citrus juices, and spices. The Bloody Mary, now over 100 years old is still a favorite brunch libation. This fun twist on a classic uses our signature pickle-infused vodka. Cheers! Enjoy our personal recipe here
There’s a reason the bloody mary is the official brunch cocktail. It pairs well with everything on your Sunday morning menu; eggs, breakfast casseroles, hashbrowns, breakfast pizza, and assorted dips such as hummus, guacamole, and queso.
This beautiful tropical drink is the vodka version of Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha. With whole lime wedges muddled into the mix,
the caipiroska is a non-minty version of the mojito and is deliciously balanced between citrusy tanginess and sweetness.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz NOËL Vodka
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- 1 oz simple syrup (or 1 T granulated sugar)
- Sparkling water (optional)
PREPARATION
Muddle the sugar and lime wedges in a rocks glass, pour the vodka, and fill the glass with cracked ice. Stir gently. Add a splash of sparkling water if desired.
The acidic lime in this drink refreshes the palate and pairs well with a charcuterie board filled with smoked and salty fish and creamy and salty cheeses such as Brie and Gouda.
Father’s Day Gift Guide
A special note from Natalie Noel: Dad, you instilled a sense of adventure in me from a young age. Watching you live your life filled with purpose and fun inspired me to do the same. Now, we’ve embarked on the adventure of a lifetime together–our dream of opening the distillery was a long time in the making. I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished together and what is yet to come. Happy Father’s Day POPS! Love, Natalie.
We hope you enjoy our Father’s Day Gift Guide filled with hand-picked selections from Chip and Natalie to celebrate Dad’s special day. Give him what he really wants this year, hint it’s not a tie…
Toast Dad with his favorite ultra-premium spirits from our craft distillery!
Our one-of-a-kind souvenir shot glass is engraved with the green tree frog-the official Louisiana state amphibian-representing good luck, creation, and prosperity. Cheers!
It’s been a long journey and many of you have been with us from the start. We’re so appreciative of the unwavering community support and love you’ve shown over the years.
We look forward to all the new friendships being formed in Louisiana and beyond and sharing our craft small-batch spirits near and far. We’re proud to be the only Louisiana distillery to offer 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila.
We also specialize in barrel-aged rum and charcoal-filtered vodka. Try our signature pickle-infused vodka for a fun twist on your bloody mary.
Our motto, “resiliency together” has carried us through some tough years and we’re excited to bring something unique and fun to our local community.
We officially opened our doors on May 6th, 2023, and hosted our first tour. Our 4,000 sq ft. facility welcomes visitors with a spacious parking lot, a tasting room, a retail store, and a private event space for special occasions and classes.
You can already find our premium spirits at several local restaurants, stores, and bars and the list is growing!
- Houmas House
- Hokus Pokus, Prairieville
- Calandro’s Supermarket
- Ivar’s Sports Bar & Grill, Baton Rouge
- Unleaded BBQ, Baton Rouge
- The First and Last Chance Cafe
- Dark 30 Bar, Baton Rouge
Our blog will entertain and educate you with a behind-the-scenes look inside our Louisiana distillery. We’ll share delicious craft cocktail recipes and food pairing tips and seasonal content.
Curious about how we extract the Agave sugar for our Tequila? Stay tuned! Want to learn more about the compelling origin stories of your favorite cocktails? Do you wonder if that’s a real worm in Tequila?
These are just a few of the intriguing topics fermenting in our blog.
Be sure to tune in every week for new and exciting content and a few surprises. We’re so glad you’re here!