The 9th Annual Tales of the Cocktail, a culinary and spirits festival, kicks off with a Bols Genever sponsored "World’s Largest Genever Kopstootje" toast at the Hotel Monteleone at 2pm on Wednesday, July 20th. The world's best craft bartenders, taste makers, brand ambassadors, cocktail bloggers, liquor sponsors, and cocktail aficionados plus a legion of media and public relations people descend on the Crescent City for a week of booze filled seminars, "Spirited Dinners", tough talking competitions, liquor tastings, and brand sponsored parties.
The following is a list of recommended events and seminars to attend while down at Tales! Please do make some time away from the festival to enjoy what New Orleans has to offer. The Big Easy isn't only the tasting rooms of Hotel Monteleone, attending Tales is a great way enjoy the culinary tradition and support the city's tourism. Besides there is nothing like a fresh Muffaletta sandwich from Central Grocery so get on over there!
Recommended Seminars
David Embury & the Fine Art of Mixing Drinks
Thursday July 21st, 3:30 – 5 pm, at the Grand Ballroom North, Royal Sonesta Hotel
Embury enthusiast Robert “Drinkboy” Hess drops the knowledge on the one of Loungerati’s cocktail heroes. We are curious to see if attendees will be drinking cocktail samples of Embury portions! This seminar is sponsored by Remy Martin & Cointreau
The Negroni: An Iconic Cocktail
Thursday July 21st, 12:30 to 2 PM at The Queen Anne Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
Paul Clarke moderates this seminar where attendees will be treated to the history of the Negroni and plenty of samples of the iconic libation. Panelists include Jacques Bezuidenhout and Livio Lauro. This seminar is sponsored by Bombay Gin and Campari (natch).
The Sporting Life – And other Anecdotes
Friday, July 22nd, 3:30 to 5 PM at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse, Royal Sonesta Hotel
This is one of the most anticipated seminars judging by the cast of brigands assembled to spin the tales of the sporting life. Allen Katz, the Director of Mixology & Spirits Education for Southern Wine & Sprits, will attempt to “moderate” this crew that includes a cocktail history who’s who: David Wondrich, Gary Regan, Chris McMillian, Jeff Grdinich, Kimberly Patton-Bragg, and our gal Lynnette Marrero. If you can still get in to this session, make the effort!
Barrel Aged Cocktails
Saturday July 23rd, 3 to 4 pm at The Riverview Room, Hotel Monteleone
The panel includes the top guns in barrel-aged cocktails Naren Young and Tuthilltown’s Gable Erenzo. Jeffrey Morgenthaler moderates this must attend session. Attendees are sure to be treated to barrel aged cocktails. This seminar is sponsored by Tuthilltown Spirits.
Recommended Spirited Dinners on Thursday July 21st
Tujagues- The Jerry Thomas Bar and Beefsteak
Head to 150 year old institution, Tujagues restaurant and join the James Beard Award-winning cocktail historian David Wondrich, and Gin expert and experienced drinker Simon Ford and guest chefs, for a traditional New York City “beefsteak,” a nineteenth-century sporting life century institution where men and women came together to eat large amounts of sliced steak, drink, and toast their fellowship. In traditional beefsteak fashion, no utensils will be supplied. “It ain’t a beefsteak unless you get grease on yer ears,” as they used to say. Sponsored by Plymouth Gin.
A five-course extravaganza hosted by husband and wife mixology team of Audrey Saunders and Robert Hess. If you can get in - Go for the this fourth course alone: Curried Colorado Lamb Chops, Beluga lentil puree, sweet onion-green tomato pickle and house made mint yogurt paired with the French Pearl cocktail: Plymouth gin, Pernod, muddled mint, lime juice. Sponsored by Pernod Ricard.
Renowned mixologists and bar consultants Jonathan Pogash and Hal Wolin (from beverage consulting firm, "The Cocktail Guru") will partner with Executive Chef Drew Dzejak of The Grill Room for an evening exploration into the world of whiskey. Sponsored by William Grant & Sons
Recommended Events
Pig & Punch Party
Saturday July 23rd, 11 am – 4pm at Washington Square Park
This is one of Loungerati’s favorite events. A band of bartenders based out of San Francisco called The Bon Vivants (http://bonvivants-sf.com), get to New Orleans early and instead of hitting the party they devote their time and energy to helping reconstruct schools in neighborhoods that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Then on the afternoon of Saturday July 23rd, they will host a free party in Washington Square Park where they are spit roasting two whole pigs and serving lots of boudin from Cochon, Creole tomato salad, Cajun cole slaw, piggy beans, cold watermelon and more. Plus delicious complimentary punches out of 32 gallon trash containers and cold beer is available! Attendees are encouraged to donate some funds, which goes right to the Arts Programs at a local High School. You feel great going to this event because it is so much fun for a good cause. We highly recommend this event.
Bartender’s Bar Room Brawl
Friday, July 22nd, from 10pm – 2am at Generations Hall
The world’s best mixologists answer the bell and come out shaking at Tales of the Cocktail and Moët Hennessy USA's Bar Room Brawl competition and party. Bar teams from around the country will take the corners of our ring as they slug it out using their cocktail acumen to create original drinks using Grand Marnier, Hennessy, Belvedere Vodka and 10 Cane Rum. In the end, the judges will crown one team as the undisputed Bar Room Brawl Champions of the World, and the attendees will crown the people’s champion. Sponsored by Moët Hennessy.
The Plymouth Gin Bartenders' Breakfast
Saturday July 23rd, 11:30pm – 3:00 am at The Board of Trade on Magazine Street
If a bartender has breakfast its usually after a shift at the crack of dawn. To pay homage to the bartending way of life Simon and Audrey’s Bartenders Breakfast was born 5 years ago at TOTC and its back again as the official unofficial wrap party for the festivities. Live music from Space Capone, DJ Gruners, incredible cocktails from some of the finest in the business, Pink Gins poured through ice and, of course, some bacon and eggs. This year it will be held at The Board of Trade just after the awards. Sponsored by Plymouth Gin.
After Hours
Vaughn’s Lounge in Bywater section
Thursday, July 21st, New Orleans jazz institution Kermit Ruffins & his BBQ Swingers perform for the roadhouse crowd. Bring a taxi number to call for the ride home.
Every other night - Old Absinthe House on Bourbon Street. See my post from Tales 2010 for more information.
