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Laura Walch

A popular bar in Mid-City had its time in the spotlight Thursday thanks to a famous British actress who gave the dive a shout out during the latest episode of Kelly Clarkson's daily talk show.?

In an interview with Clarkson on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," famed star Helen Mirren shared her love for her time-honored tradition of stopping at?Pal's Lounge?each year after leaving the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, calling the spot her favorite bar in the Crescent City.

"Love the town. Love the city. Love Pal's Lounge. It's the best bar in New Orleans," Mirren said.

Pal's Lounge was opened by her late stepson, Rio Hackford, in 2002. The bar has a strong group of neighborhood regulars and is known for its cocktails and food pop-ups.

Mirren didn't appear on the show empty-handed. During her interview, she showed off a signature Pal's cocktail that's named after her, known as the Helen F****** Mirren, and had two Pal's bartenders,?Laura Walch?and Charla Zot, explain the history behind the drink in a livestream chat.?

Walch shared that she was the mastermind behind the drink, which contains Darjeeling liqueur, Earl Grey tea, vodka, lemon, habanero, and honey.

"And when we were deciding what we were going to call it, we just thought, well, it's spicy, and it's British. So, the spiciest British person we could think of is obviously Dame Helen Mirren," Walch recalled.

She added that Mirren's reaction to the drink was a "pinnacle" for her.

"When I first created it, somebody sent her over to me against my wishes, and she said to me she says, 'I've just had your cocktail, and it's positively lethal," Walch said.

Mirren and Clarkson made sure to test the drinks live, and Clarkson exclaimed, "that's good!" after her first sip.

Mirren first posted about her namesake drink on Instagram?in 2019 on the first Sunday of Jazz Fest. That post, which featured Zot in the background, made its way back the bartender's parents, the bartender explained during the livestream chat.

Zot shared with Clarkson's audience that Mirren later direct messaged Zot's father to tell him his daughter was doing a good job and that he should be proud of her.

"I think in that moment she did more for me than she could ever know," Zot said, thanking Mirren for her kindness.

Mirren also made sure to highlight New Orleans during the TV show segment, adding that the city?is akin to her second American home.

The star formerly had a home in the French Quarter on Barracks Street.

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Email Chelsea Shannon at cshannon@theadvocate.com.