Pam Fortner and the Hand Grenade Legacy | New Orleans News

Pam Fortner, the legendary co-creator of the iconic Hand Grenade cocktail and longtime owner of Tropical Isle on Bourbon Street, has died at 80. Once an Army Corps of Engineers employee, she traded her career for New Orleans after a 1972 Mardi Gras visit — and never looked back. Partnered with Earl Bernhardt after meeting at the 1984 World’s Fair, they launched Tropical Isle in ’84, and soon after birthed the melon-laced, grenade-shaped drink that became a French Quarter staple. Her bold spirit and signature cocktail will forever echo through New Orleans’ nightlife. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8e378089591f61a5