Sue Strachan

Social historian • Writer of "THE OBITUARY COCKTAIL" (James Beard Award nomination) & "THE CAFE BRULOT" published by LSU Press • Writer, editor and adventurer. • Find my work on suestrachan.com 

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"The Obituary Cocktail" was just nominated for a 2026 James Beard Award!

The 2026 James Beard Media Award Nominees

Here are the nominees for the best books, broadcast media, and journalistic work shaping food culture today.

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Camellia Bean Blog: Tastes Like Home | Camellia Brand

Check out our best Camellia beans recipes, cooking tips, party ideas, favorite restaurants, New Orleans’ events, holiday suggestions, bean s

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What a way to happy hour!

Avegno in New Orleans is kicking off a late afternoon-into-early evening happy hour, "L'heure Verte," on Thurs. March 26 at 4:30 p.m., in honor of absinthe and the amazing cocktails you can make with it.

Some of the recipes come from my latest book, "The Obituary Cocktail," including Death in the Afternoon (Taittinger champagne & absinthe -- what could go wrong, Ernest Hemingway liked it!), the aforementioned Obituary Cocktail and more.

I will be part of the kick-off on Thursday -- I will be there later on to sign books, sip cocktails and visit.

From there on out, Avegeno will be featuring this happy hour Tues.-Sat, starting at 5.

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Come visit us at the New Orleans Literary Festival at Tulane University in the Literary Lounge (Burgundy Room) on the Berger Lawn, Sat. March 14, 2026, 11 am-11:45 am. Find out the scoop on cocktails, history and more!

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New Orleans Book Festival News and Press Releases

Come visit me, Neal Bodenheimer (Cure, Val's, Peychaud's) and Jordan Salcito (sommelier, proprietor of RAMONA) at the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane on Sat. March 14, 2026, 11 -11:45 am to learn more about the spirited world (of the libationary kind.) THe amazing journalist Brett Martin is the moderator.

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Hosting Mardi Gras at Home? These Classic New Orleans Cocktails Bring Big Easy Vibes Anywhere

Did someone say French 75?

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Obituary Cocktail | LA DRINKS! S2 Ep. 6 | New Orleans’ Darkest Martini |...

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Activists of the Year 2025

New Orleans is blessed to have a community of people who care, who want to give back to the city as much as it has given them. Their energy,

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Cocktail of the Month

Check out Where Y'at's article about the "Obituary Cocktail," which also dives into why certain cocktails have "deathly" names! Interested? You can buy the book (I wrote about it) at New Orleans bookstores, Amazon or LSU Press (which published it!)

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https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/dining/obituary-cocktail-new-orleans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xU8.5B99.JFDhHapnT8K5&smid=url-share

Try the Obituary Cocktail -- and check out this great article in the New York Times!

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Red Beans and Rice Royalty: Emily Shaya Brings Her Recipe to Miss River | Camellia Brand

As to be expected in New Orleans, the Krewe of Red Beans’ Bean Madness Championship in 2019 was fiercely contested, bringing red beans and r

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Find out more about this elusive New Orleans cocktail! https://deepsouthmag.com/2025/10/07/a-new-orleans-cocktail-rises-from-the-grave/

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Enhancing Mental Acuity Through Various Games

Discover how different games can boost mental acuity and cognitive skills for all ages. Engage your mind and improve focus today.

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Such a thrill for my book, "The Obituary Cocktail," published by

@lsupress to be the cover story for The Times-Picayune Lagniappe section! Photos by

@chris_granger. The book is available at New Orleans bookstores and on Amazon.

Is this New Orleans drink due for a comeback? 'Obituary Cocktail' makes a tempting case.

With three ingredients at its core, the obituary cocktail seems simple. Yet these three ingredients have a lot to say, combining to create a

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Cooking Red Beans, Serving Comfort: Remembering Katrina 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago, on the tragic day of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and caused havoc across Louisiana and Mississippi co

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Beans, Tradition, and Bold Flavor at Commander’s Palace | Camellia Brand

Eggs Louis Armstrong, a delicious brunch dish at Commander’s Palace, features pureed red beans as a base, topped with a popcorn rice cake an