16 Creative Trips to Celebrate Your 30th Birthday

What is traditional food for Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras recipes are often rooted in Creole traditions and influences, so popular food includes jambalaya, red beans and rice, beignets, and king cake.

What is one food item that is unique to Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

King cakes are one of the most iconic foods for Mardi Gras. The cinnamon-flavored dessert is often colored with green, yellow, and purple in honor of the holiday, but perhaps the most recognizable aspect of making this Mardi Gras recipe is baking a figurine into the cake. Whoever has the slice with the figurine wins a prize!

Press crescent roll dough into a cupcake mold, fill it with cinnamon, then bake it. Then glaze each one and spray with the iconic Mardi Gras colors. (via Brit + Co)

Carbs have never looked so good! Inspired by the rainbow donuts from Brooklyn’s Bagel Store (you *had* to have seen the viral vid), this tie-dyed loaf ain’t your average fairy bread. Schmear with the traditional toppings on Fat Tuesday and use the leftovers to make croutons for lunch the next few days. (via Brit + Co)

The signature colors of Mardi Gras are gold, green and purple. This salsa may not have Louisiana-style flavors, but it’s going to look very festive in middle of your spread. (via Little Broken)

There’s nothing more southern than crispy fried chicken. But the real winner here is that sweet and spicy hot sauce that takes this dish above and beyond. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Walk into any restaurant in New Orleans and you’ll find some variation of grits and collards. This flavorful at-home version brings all the authenticity and then some. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Dips are a party essential, especially for Fat Tuesday. Rep some of the common southern flavors with this creamy and spicy crab dip that comes together in just minutes. (via Pip and Ebby)

These oysters are grilled to perfection and topped with cheese and butter. Even the oyster naysayers will be intrigued by these flavorful mollusks. (via Closet Cooking)

Beware: This Bloody Mary has major heat. Not only does it have Louisiana Cajun spice, but it’s also full of horseradish and lots of spicy peppers that will know your socks off. (via She Knows)

You can’t think of New Orleans without dreaming of warm sugary beignets. Making your own is a must for any Mardi Gras party, plus they’re great hangover food — just sayin’. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

The hurricane may be the unofficial cocktail of Mardi Gras, but it’s going to be the official cocktail of your party. Make a huge batch in a punch bowl and garnish with orange slices and maraschino cherries. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Typically served during Mardi Gras brunch, brandy milk punch is similar to its thicker cousin eggnog. If you think you need a little bit of “hair of the dog” post Mardi Gras, this should be your go-to. (via Boulder Locavore)

Your party guests are going to go wild for these dressed-up masquerade mask cookies. Add gold painted rock candy sticks for that extra little flair. (via Bake Love Give)

Homemade jambalaya is so flavorful, and worth the extra few ingredients. Make a huge pot and serve with plenty of hot sauce on the side for your friends to help themselves. (via Aberdeen’s Kitchen)

King Cake is one of the most well-known aspects of Mardi Gras, but it’s not exactly something you can make on the fly. This layered cake is a lot simpler than you would think, and is totally impressive. (via Beth Cakes)

This po’boy is about as classic New Orleans as you can get, all the way down to the homemade cajun seasoning that flavors the shrimp. All of your friends are definitely going to be begging you for this recipe the next day. (via The Kitchen Whisperer)

To make these burgers, you can either start your red beans and rice from scratch, or you can use leftovers to make your patties. Either way, it’s totally worth it to make your own, because they’re AH-mazing. (via My Cooking Spot)

If you need a Mardi Gras dessert but don’t have a lot of time, this cake will be your life saver. It lets you take some help from the grocery store by using yellow cake mix and pistachio instant pudding for both flavor and vibrant color. (via Sew You Think You Can Cook)

What is the most popular drink for Mardi Gras?

The Sazerac is a great drink to make if you're prepping for a Mardi Gras celebration. All you need is anise liquor, sugar, water, bitters, and whiskey. Plus a lemon peel twist for the garnish! Keep reading for a great recipe to try it for yourself.

What do you drink at Mardi Gras?

There are a variety of cocktails you can make for Mardi Gras, including a Sazerac, bloody Mary, or some colorful punches.

What is the Fat Tuesday drink?

A Fat Tuesday is like a grown-up slurpee. It's a slushie that has alcohol in it, which means it's a great Mardi Gras cocktail *and* the perfect happy hour sip once the weather warms up.

This chartreuse, gin, and mint cocktail is elegant enough to look totally dapper for Mardis Gras, yet strong enough to keep your party joyfully unrefined. Be warned: A teaspoon of chartreuse is all this recipe calls for, but trust us — it will be plenty. (via The Bojon Gourmet)

This classic Mardi Gras cocktail recipe features whiskey, Absinthe, and bitters for a recognizable and iconic flavor. Don't forget the lemon twist garnish! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Moscow mules are kinda having a moment right now, and we’re not sad about it. Made with ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice, they’re both plenty strong yet pleasantly light in terms of taste. This version throws blueberries, basil, and maple syrup into the mix. (via Marla Meridith)

Sangria is the *ultimate* party drink, so why not make it with green fruits to get in the spirit of Mardi Gras? Green apples and pears comprise the fruit portion of this sweet sangria, with white grape juice thrown in for good measure. (via Cooks With Cocktails)

If there are any lemon lovers in your group, they’re going to LOVE this refreshing cocktail. Pro tip: To make the lemon curl, all you need is a standard peeler and a skewer. Just remove a 3/4 inch of lemon peel and wrap it around the skewer, and set aside to allow the shape to form. (via A Communal Table)

This green-and-purple cocktail may be inspired by a super-villain, but it’s the stuff of Mardi Gras DREAMS. The rim is lined with sugar that’s been dyed purple with food coloring (um, *genius*), while the drink itself is made with Midori sour, rum, vodka, and simple syrup. (via Life She Has)

Blueberries give this martini a deep shade of purple, while lime spirals add a little green into the mix. Pro tip: Look for blueberry vodka if you can find it — it will make this drink all the more blueberry-like. However, if you prefer a more classic martini (or simply can’t find blueberry vodka), good old-fashioned vodka will work just fine. (via Yummy Tummies)

Fat Tuesday calls for upping your bacon consumption, right? We can’t think of a better way to pack it in than with these delicious bloody Marys. Kick off your Mardi Gras with a bang by serving these at a boozy brunch with your besties. (via Heather Christo)

Making color-coordinated cocktails for your Mardi Gras bash doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple pineapple margarita will totally do the trick. This recipe is sure to be a major crowd-pleaser too… who doesn’t love the sweet yet natural taste of fresh pineapple? (via Miss in the Kitchen)

We think this pretty cocktail is the PERFECT drink to serve at your Mardi Gras party. The colors are totally on-point: Basil leaves give the drink a subtle green shade, while lemon wedges and lavender sprigs round up the festive color palette. (via Port and Fin)

Speaking of crowd-pleasing drinks, smoothies are an easy choice when it comes to selecting something everyone will love. And these festively hued smoothies are no exception. Bonus points for finding some Mardi Gras-themed straws to accompany these colorful concoctions. (via Living Well Kitchen)

Fleur Collins Cocktail

Elegant and *super* pretty, this Tom Collins-inspired drink boasts a smooth, feminine flavor while still managing to be quite a doozy in terms of strength. It’s made with elderflower and violet liqueur, so it’s definitely a sophisticated choice for your Mardi Gras party. (via Hungry Girl Por Vida)

This classic yellow-toned cocktail can be adjusted to your desired level of sweetness. If you’re a lover of all things sugary, be sure to line the rim with granulated sugar for *ultimate* flavor. (via Homemade Hooplah)

For a less traditional take on the classic margarita, don’t be afraid to spice things up. These tasty ‘ritas are made with matcha green tea, tequila, fresh jalapeños, and honey simple syrup for a truly unique flavor profile. (via Wicked Spatula)

This uber-pretty cocktail gets its gorgeous shade of purple from blueberries, but it owes half of its flavor profile to pineapple. Although you can absolutely spring for Champagne, any dry sparkling wine will do the trick. (via Tasty Trials)

1. Paloma

Campbell "Pookie" Puckett and her husband, Jett Puckett, have taken the social media world by storm with their seemingly picture-perfect romance and lavish lifestyle.

In November 2024, the influencer couple welcomed their daughter, Paloma, into the world after creating a lot of anticipatory hype surrounding their name choice.

Paloma has Spanish and Italian roots and is derived from Latin. It means "dove," in addition to "pigeon" and "butterfly." Those familiar with Greek mythology may recognize doves as symbols of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

2. Wyatt, Elliotte, and Bennett

Jason Kelce, who spent 13 years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, and his wife, Kylie Kelce, faced some backlash for the gender-neutral names they chose for their three daughters.

However, gender-neutral monikers are more popular than ever before. And now that the couple has a fourth daughter on the way, they reportedly plan to continue the name trend in their family.

3. Riot

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made waves in 2023 when they named their second child Riot. The bold, unconventional pick fits right in with the couple's trend of sticking to "R" names, as Rihanna's full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and A$AP Rocky's is Rakim Athelaston Mayers.

Beyond its personal significance, the name Riot carries a strong, rebellious energy. It definitely reflects both artists' fearless approach when it comes to both music and fashion.

4. Winnie

When Jimmy Fallon and his wife, Nancy Juvonen, had their first daughter in 2013, they chose a somewhat unique name with a lot of personal meaning: Winnie. Welsh in origin, it means "gentle friend" or "friend of peace."

Specifically for the couple, though, it's a tribute to Lake Winnipesaukee, the picturesque New Hampshire lake where they got engaged. Plus, Jimmy added the name made even more sense since they viewed Winnie as a "win" in their life.

5. Grace Warrior

Everyone remembers Steve Irwin as the fearless "Crocodile Hunter" who tragically died in late 2006. More recently, his daughter, Bindi Irwin, welcomed a little girl of her own into the world in 2021 and named her Grace Warrior.

While Grace may be a more common name, meaning "favor" or "blessing," Warrior was a more unusual choice with a sentimental intent.

"Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior," Bindi shared on Instagram.

6. River Rose and Remington

Kelly Clarkson and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, chose two distinctive names for their girl and boy: River Rose, born in 2014, and Remington Alexander, born in 2016.

With British roots and a whimsical feel, River is a gender-neutral pick that means "a flowing body of water." It was traditionally used more frequently for boys, but Kelly changed that trend.

Meanwhile, Remington is also British in origin and started as a surname, translating to "settlement by the boundary stream." Perhaps Kelly chose this sibling combination because both River and Remington begin with "R" and have connections to water.

7. Elsie Otter

When Zooey Deschanel and her then-husband Jacob Pechenik had their daughter in 2015, they chose a name that was both classic and quirky: Elsie Otter.

While Elsie is a timeless choice of Hebrew origin, which means "pledged to God," the addition of Otter gives it a more playful twist. During an appearance on TODAY, Zooey explained their reasoning behind it.

"We just really liked the name Elsie, and then we both love otters because they're so sweet and also smart," she detailed.

"They use tools, they keep their favorite tools, they hold hands while they sleep; there are so many amazing things about otters. They're wonderful animals."

8. Luai

Finally, in 2023, Lindsay Lohan and her husband, Bader Shammas, named their Dubai-born son Luai. It's Arabic in origin and means "protector" or "shield," but it remains a rare pick in the U.S.

Luay, a more common variation of this name, was only given to eight boys born in the U.S. in 2022.