The Widow’s Embrace Cocktail: A Tribute to the New Orleans’ Dark Legends and Mysteries

Recently, a local referred to New Orleanians as “vampire groupies.” I nodded and smiled, agreeing to our shared identity. I thought back to my youth, when I first fell in love with the characters in Anne Rice’s novels—they’re as fresh in my mind as the New Orleans Ballet Theatre’s production of Dracula that I attended earlier this year. It was as true then as it is now: I’m a “groupie” for vampires and all things macabre.

It’s no wonder that I easily found comfort in a city like New Orleans, rich in the cultural heritage of voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and hauntings. As someone with a deep appreciation for this city’s history, I wanted to create a drink that embodied the spirit of Halloween in New Orleans and offer tribute to the stories and legends that make this city so enchanting.

Halloween in New Orleans is unlike anywhere else. The city comes alive with a unique blend of revelry and reverence for the supernatural. Amidst the vibrant parades, elaborate costumes, and haunted tours, I have crafted a special way to celebrate the season, a cocktail called the Widow’s Embrace, inspired by the city’s intricate tapestry of love, loss, and lingering spirits.

The inspiration for the Widow’s Embrace came from one of the city’s most infamous legends—the story of Madame Delphine LaLaurie. Remembered for her brutal torture of enslaved peoples at her Royal Street mansion, Madame LaLaurie’s ghost is said to still roam the French Quarter, a widow forever haunted by her own deeds. This cocktail captures the essence of her story—powerful and tragic, with a touch of the supernatural.

The widow herself is certainly the most prolific person when discussing French Quarter horror stories; however, her romantic history is worth mentioning. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Madame LaLaurie’s husbands are shrouded in mystery and speculation, adding to the dark legend that surrounds her life. Her first husband, Don Ramón de Lopez y Angulo, died “unexpectedly” in 1804. While traveling to Madrid, Spain, to assume a new position at the Spanish court, Don Ramón stopped in Havana, Cuba, where he fell ill and died suddenly. The cause of his death remains uncertain, with some historical accounts suggesting it may have been due to a heart attack or a tropical disease. His untimely demise left Delphine a widow at a young age, setting the stage for her return to New Orleans and subsequent marriages.

The death of her second husband in 1816, Jean Blanque, is similarly enigmatic. Blanque was a prominent lawyer and businessman, and his marriage to Delphine significantly elevated her social standing. The details of his death are scant, with no clear records indicating the cause. Some rumors hinted at foul play, though no concrete evidence has ever surfaced to support such claims. Blanque’s death left Delphine in mourning once again, but she continued to maintain her high social status and substantial wealth. These mysterious deaths, coupled with her third marriage to Dr. Leonard LaLaurie, who would later be associated with her notorious cruelty, contribute to the aura of suspicion and intrigue that surrounds Madame LaLaurie’s life and legacy.

After the death of each of her husbands, the question lingers: What would compel a man to court Delphine? She was a likely suspect in the death of her former husbands, deaths that further affirmed her wealth and status. Was it beauty, allure, wealth, power, Creole magic, or—her embrace?

This cocktail is modeled after the sophisticated classic the Widow’s Kiss, which is calvados-based with hints of Yellow Chartreuse and Bénédictine. The Widow’s Embrace follows this model but strengthens its base with high-proof bourbon and doubles down on orchard fruit with the addition of Damson plums. Its complex and lingering flavors are alluring and ominous, reminiscent of the passion and pain that so often intertwine in tales of love and loss.

very street, every building, and every person (living or otherwise) in New Orleans has a tale to tell. The Widow’s Embrace is my way of honoring that tradition, especially on a night when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Come join me for one along the Krewe of Boo parade route on October 16 or while donning your most impressive costume this spooky season.

Alexandria Bowler is the lead bartender at Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurant, Emeril’s, in New Orleans. Check out her glorious cocktail creations or make a reservation at emerilsrestaurant.com.