Spirits For Spirits Local Bars Create Cocktails Inspired By Vodou S Lwa

• Julia Thiel
• Freda’s Floral Sparkler, from Rogers Park Social

In honor of the current exhibit “Vodou: Sacred Powers of Haiti,” the Field Museum recently asked several local bartenders to create cocktails inspired by the spirits of Vodou (the most common spelling of the name of the Haitian religion; it’s also written Vaudou, vodon, Vodun, Voodoo, or Voudou). Known as Lwa (or Loa, or L’wha), the spirits appear to have very specific tastes and preferences. According to the Field: “Many Vodousists serve their Lwa by offering them food and drink, wearing their colors, and holding lively special ceremonies. Four Lwa, who have a love of popular drinks, were carefully chosen to help shape these intriguing cocktails.”

For its cocktail, Rogers Park Social looked to Erzulie Freda—”the Lwa of love, flirting, romance, and luxury, who loves pink champagne and other sparkling wines.” Freda’s Floral Sparkler is a Haitian riff on the French 75, with 4-year-old Rhum Barbancourt, lemon juice, sugarcane syrup, Varichon et Clerc sparkling rose, Peychaud’s Bitters, and orange blossom water. It’s another winner, bubbly and not too sweet, with a lovely orange blossom smell and a slightly tart finish.