Cocktails, rickeys, punches, sours and high balls were on this drinks list from the Hotel New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1945. The star of the show, however, was the famous Ramos’ Gin Fizz which cost 43c at that time.

One of the iconic drinks of the Big Easy, it was invented by bartender Henry Ramos at his Imperial Cabinet Saloon in downtown New Orleans in 1880 and was also served at his next bar The Swag Saloon.

Containing an egg white that aerates into foam, each drink was originally shaken for 12 minutes, and Ramos apparently employed teams of up to 35 ‘shakers’ to make the popular drink during busy times like Mardi Gras.

When Prohibition came into force in 1920, he helpfully published the recipe in a New Orleans newspaper and when the ban on alcohol was lifted some 13 years later, Ramos’ Gin Fizz quickly regained popularity.

This menu cover with the word ‘bar’ cleverly illustrated was from the Hotel New Orleans that opened in 1907 on Canal Street. With an interesting font, great colors and witty graphics, it’s a fine example of imaginative vintage menu art.

The manager of the hotel during this era was George Dawson, formerly resident manager at the Roosevelt Hotel. He was in charge from 1937- 1965 and retired shortly afterwards.

The Hotel New Orleans is now the Jung Hotel and Residences.