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Tales of The Cocktails 2013 Preview

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fa-tales-of-cocktailTales of the Cocktail 2013 is right around the corner, and if you aren’t familiar with the worlds premier cocktail festival yet, we’ll bring you up to speed with a preview. Tales of the Cocktail brings together some of the most respected members of the mixology family, from brand reps to bar-tending elite, and combines that with drinkers (both novice and expert) looking to learn and taste more. For 5 days (July 17th-21th) you’ll be granted access to some of the best crafted cocktails ranging from classic to exotic. Combine that with food pairings that not only will blow your mind, but will keep you sober in a time where it’s EASY to become overwhelmed by drink offerings everywhere you turn. Literally from 8:30 am each day (appropriately starting with an Absolut sponsored Blood Mary Bar) until after midnight there are seminars, cocktail tastings, pool parties, award ceremonies, and spirited dinners all in the name of mixology. For a first timer, it can be pretty overwhelming. Oh hell, for a veteran who let’s his guard down it can be overwhelming.

Ann Tuennerman is the founder of Tales of the Cocktail, and after launching it in 2003, it’s now grown to the globally accepted and respected event that we see today. Since it’s inception, it’s become the premier destination for the top liquor brands, spirit magazines, mixology minds, and even little bloggers like us here at 101. With so much growth in 11 years, it’s become hard to keep up with all the awesome events and seminars so we’ve decided highlight a few “big deals” and do a quick run down for you.

New Brands: If you’re a new brand and you’re looking to make a big splash, Tales is the place to do it. Each year, someone makes a mark and this years can’t miss brand is Louisiana’s own, Bayou Rum.

Seminars: Every year new seminars are brought in based on what YOU the drinker or bartender want to learn about. This year there are OVER 50, yes 50, seminars to give you new knowledge and perspective on cocktail culture. Highlights include

  • Part 1: How to Run a Successful Bar Business: This one is HUGE considering the rate of growth start up bars. Every bartenders dream is to own where he pours, but coincidentally almost every Joe Shmoe’s dream is to own where he drinks. This 3 part seminar will take you from A-Z on how to run a successful bar business. Led by bar owner Philip Duff (owner of renowned Amsterdam speakeasy door 74) and acclaimed spirits consultant Andy Seymour, with panelists that  include Sean Muldoon (The Dead Rabbit, New York), Cedd Moses (founder of 213 Nightlife which owns 11 award-winning bars in Los Angeles and San Diego), Dale DeGroff (former partner in Blackbird restaurant and cocktail royalty), Tad Carducci (owner of Tippling Bros and partner in Mercadito Hospitality, owning bars in six US cities), Alba Huerta (owner of the almost-open Julep craft cocktail bar in Houston), Erick Castro (owner of Polite Provisions in San Diego), plus many, many more – all  bar owners.
  • Rise of the Zombie: Tiki’s Deadly Drink: We’re going to this one and we can’t wait. I’m a huge fan of tiki drinks. They’re strong, flavorful, and good on any occasion, not just when at the beach. Here, while sipping samples of vintage Zombie recipes, you’ll learn why this legendary drink was the toast of the Hollywood movie crowd, and hear the true-life detective story behind how the original recipe was lost, and found over a 10 year period by the legend, Jeff “Beach Bum” Berry.
  • Airport Bars: We travel A LOT, both for business and pleasure. Maybe we’re just showing our age here, but weren’t the airport bars in all the movies you watched as a kid cool and hip? Did they all die with Pan Am and those hot little stewardess outfits? Luckily they do still exist, and here you’ll learn the 10 best airport bars still in existence, stories about some of the worst airport bar experiences, AND you’ll receive an in-flight cocktail making kit. Fasten your seat belts and stay seated!

For a complete list of seminars visit www.Talesofthecocktail.com

Tasting Rooms: Anything you can imagine will be on display to taste and they’ll be sampled every hour on the hour so here are a few to look out for. Tasting rooms are complimentary with the purchase of any single seminar ticket. You receive a wrist band, and from there the choices (and regrets) are yours.

  • Absolut Bloody Mary / 42 Below Coffee Bar: These will be your lifelines at Tales. Early starts and late finishes is the theme of Tales and there is a lot of drinking in between so make the best of it with these breakfast drinking stations offered first thing each morning.
  • Historic and Modern Milk Punches: Milk Punch is one of the most underrated drinks in the industry in my opinion, but i’m pretty bias. Milk cocktails are my favorite. Here you’ll taste Milk punch recipes from the colonial days all the way up till present time lead by an awesome panel including Tiki Goddess Suzanne Long, Accomplished Barman Christopher James, and the eloquent and prolific Spirits Writer Warren Bobrow.
  • Pisco Pavilion: Pisco curiosity is increasing by the day, here you’ll have a chance to taste several different peruvian piscos all in one area.
  • Rare and Exotic Fruit from around the World: Everyone is looking for the next big thing in mixology, and here you’ll be a step ahead of the game with opportunities to taste some exotic and rare fruits from places like India, Thailand, Italy etc. Remember the passion fruit obsession a few years back? How about the Blood Orange? You get my drift?
  • Four Roses Bourbon 125th Anniversary Celebration: Learn and sample all 10 bourbons from the Four Roses brand with a few surprises in store.
  • Jacob’s Ghost™ Midnight “Ghost Bar”: Jim Beams newest addition, poured at midnight by the ghost of Jacob Beam himself. Yes the hologram movement continues.
  • VeeV Fresh Market Bar: If you’re a fan of the Acai movement, VeeV is the tasting you can’t miss. Join VeeV, the World’s First Acai Spirit and taste “farm to glass” hand-crafted, cold-pressed cocktails.
  • Licor 43 After Dark Midnight Drinks and Tapas: Licor 43, the versatile vanilla-citrus liqueur from Spain made from a secret formula of 43 ingredients, will offer a selection of tasty tapas and sweet bites after midnight for a little after dark excitement.
  • Tales of the Cocktail Farewell with a Shot of Jägermeister: While most of us started our pre-drinking with Jager during college nights out, Tales ends it with a Farewell Shot of Jager.

For a complete list of Tastings, visit www. TalesoftheCocktail.com

Special Events: As much fun as Tastings and Seminars are, there are several events used to highlight other aspects of the industry. From meet and greets with distillers, bartending competitions, and charity functions, to tours of the city and award ceremonies. Tales has you covered with tons of special events to choose from.

For a complete list of special events, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

Spirited Dinners: The spirited dinner series has become a Thursday night tradition at Tales and will take place Thursday the 18th. Restaurants all over NOLA will challenge you to try exclusive dinner pairings of cocktails and cuisines. Each restaurant offers one of the worlds best mixologists paired with some of the city’s most renowned chefs to create a one of a king cuisine. Highlights include:

For a complete list of spirited dinners, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

Invite Only: Got the right credentials, these events are invite only and come with some great perks.

For a complete list of invite only events, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

Keep On Schedule!: If you find it hard to keep up with all the events and drink recipes floating around at tales, we HIGHLY recommend downloading the Tales of the Cocktail drink app. It’s a rookies best friend, and a life line even for us. Every (sanctioned) event is listed and can be easily selected and added to its built in schedule for you to keep handy.

These highlights are just a sample of all the awesome Tales has to offer. The best thing about Tales is the ability to taste so many things you’ve wanted to try but didn’t feel like forking out the money for, or didn’t want an entire bottle in case you hated it. Or maybe your favorite bar only carries the “big” brands. From liqueurs/cordials/apertifs like Drambuie, Becherovka, Lillet, Chartreuse, and Absinthe to the usual suspects like Grey Goose, Absolut, Bacardi, and Disaronno, there’s something for EVERYONE. Step on the ledge and don’t be afraid to jump at Tales, because you might just discover you like something crazy.

If you’re still finding yourself wondering what the hell this Tales of the Cocktail event is all about, I’ve provided a link to their FAQ section here, to help break it all down for you. Unfortunately ticket sales through their online system have ended, but tickets for several events are still available and if you find yourself in NOLA this week, it’s worth a stop.

Cheers!

For more updates on the latest brand launches, cocktail recipes, and industry news, make sure to Like Us On Facebook, or Follow us On Twitter.

 

 

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Recipes

Octobert 4th is National Vodka Day

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…..We can’t believe it’s October already, can you? Before you know it it’ll be Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and then we get to start all out bad habits over again in January. Well if you haven’t figured it out by now, October 4th is , National Vodka Day and with so many things happening in October (Halloween, Breast Cancer awareness, Fall season changes), we can’t forget about a truly under-appreciated holiday like this one. If you’re looking for a bit of a history lesson on Vodka, you can refer to our “Celebrating National Vodka Day” article we previously did. No need to waste time on that again, instead we’ll just get right to the boozing shall we? Below you can find a few vodka recipes work trying as well as a list of 5 ways to celebrate in case you’re a bit clueless. Remember, the suggested vodkas below are just that, suggestions. Feel free to insert your own favorite brand, after all there are enough quality vodkas on the shelf these days, you could probably pick one blindfolded in the liquor store after spinning a few times. Then again, chances are you’ll be mixing it so heavily you won’t notice the difference… Until the morning, and then you’ll want one of these from our good friends Last Round.

 

5 Ways to Celebrate National Vodka Day

1) Hit up a happy hour after work, and be sure to remind them its National Vodka Day.

2) Ditch the crowd, call up a few friends and pool your money on the largest bottle of Vodka you can find (They make 3 Liters you know?)

3) Tired of the same old vodka flavors and cocktails? Try infusing your OWN vodka at home with help from these step-by-step instructions. Let us know how it turned out!

4) Ever heard of a little game called beer-pong? That’s for college kids, grown-ups use Vodka. I GUARANTEE you’ll never have more fun.

5) Drinking vodka is probably it’s best served purpose, but did you know there are TONS of other uses for vodka besides getting sloshed such as treating poisen ivy? Check out this awesome list of weirdest uses for vodka. – Top 10 weird uses for vodka

 

National Vodka Day Cocktails…

 

The Passion Cocktail

  • 2 Parts Citrus Vodka
  • 2 Parts Passionfruit Juice
  • 1 Part Club Soda
  • 2 Splashes Lime Juice
  • 2 Splashes Lemon Juice
  • 1 Dash Simple Syrup
  • 1 Wedge Lime

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add vodka, lemon juice, lime juice, passion fruit juice and simple syrup. Shake and strain into a chilled highball glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish with lime. Add club soda. 

BlackBerry Crush

  • 4 blackberries
  • 1 Tbs lemon juice
  • 1 Tbs Simple Syrup
  • 1 1/4 oz vodka
  • Seltzer
  • Ice
  • Mint sprig
In a glass, combine blackberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup; lightly crush berries to release their juice. Add ice and vodka; top with seltzer. Stir to combine. Garnish with a mint sprig.
The Salted Sailor
  • 1 oz Stoli® Salted Karamel
  • 1/2 oz Sailor Jerry
  • 1/2 oz  Banana liqueur
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 2 oz Ginger Ale
Shake your ingredients minus the soda in a cocktail shaker and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top off with ginger ale. 

 

 Happy National Vodka Day!!! Did you know we’re on Pinterest?!? Also Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or stumble us on StumbleUpon to get our latest cocktail recipes, spirit reviews, and drink related news. 
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Tailgating

Tailgate Time: Kickoff Cocktails

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The Big game is around the corner, and like any good story, it’s being  built as a battle of David Vs Goliath. High powered offense from the new kids on the block vs the greatest QB/Coach combo in history possibly. Who are you rooting for? More importantly, where are you going to tailgate? There’s a good chance you’ll be hosting a party or going to one where what you eat and drink will be a big deal, so let us make it easier for you with this delicious cocktail options that work for almost any type of drinking crowd.

Linebacker Limeade

Six 12 oz Bottles of Corona
One 12 oz can of frozen minute made limeade concentrate.
1/2 a lime.

One of my FAVORITE beer cocktails I got from Rachael Ray. Easy, tasty, and appeals to both beer lovers and those cocktail fans that prefer something a little sweeter. In a large pitcher combine the limeade concentrate with your beer. After the foam settles squeeze the half a lime into the pitcher and stir. Pour into chilled glasses and serve. This makes 6 servings. Of course you could do the math and make an individual portion.

Lynchburg Lemonade (My variation)

1 1/2 oz Jack Daniels
2 Oz Simple Syrup
1 Oz Triple Sec
Splash of Club Soda.
2 Slices of Lemon

What would a Tailgate be without whiskey right? This is my variation on a classic. I prefer simple syrup rather than sweet n sour which the original recipe calls for. Also depending on where you’re from some top it off with Lemon Lime soda but I prefer Club soda. It’s your party, so find which works best for you. In a mixing glass muddle your lemon slices, then add in ice, bourbon, simple syrup, and triple sec. Shake, and pour. Top off with your club soda.

The John Daly

3 oz Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
3 oz Lemonade

This one is as easy as it gets but tastes AMAZING. This adult Arnold Palmer is sure to be a hit at any tailgate. Combine your Vodka and your lemonade of ice and enjoy.

Washington Apple (Shots)

1 Part Whiskey
1 Part Apple Pucker Schnapps
1 Part Cranberry Juice

Always a hit with the girls yet still a nice bite for the fellas thanks to the whiskey. Throw these three in a shaker and pour into shots for a good time.

 

For more great tailgate recipes, be sure to check out our NFL Inspired Cocktails or NCAA Inspired Cocktails. As always don’t forget to tell your friends about us and LIKE us on FACEBOOK. Class dismissed.

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