Friday, July 15, 2011

Planning for Tales of the Cocktail 2011

It's a bit crazy for many folks in the spirits/cocktail/bar business, as we are preparing for our pilgrimage to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail. It will be a week of great cocktails, great food and great times with incredible people. And also, hot and humid weather, crowded elevators, and upset stomachs. What's not to like?

Here are a few things I'm really excited about, as well as a few things I'm not so sure about. I'll report back on both, once I see how they turn out.

Hopes are HighJury's Out
  • H2O Cocktails - meaning cocktails made with water. Water that you infuse with stuff. I am a bit dubious about this one, but open minded and interested to see what they're doing. Is this going to be cool, or is it going to be like the "low-cal" rum and vodka that came out awhile back, where they just lowered the alcohol content?
  • From Grain to Bottle - the detailed description sounds great, but there is no indication of who will be speaking. The moderator is a brand ambassador from a (very) large liquor company, but he's never been a distiller.
  • Spirited Dinners - some of them look fantastic (most of those are sold out), but there is one that is only vodka drinks, and one that has drinks only made with a certain whiskey flavored liqueur. My experience with them in past years has been good but not great, so this year I'm treating myself to a nice meal out with whatever I choose to eat & drink instead.
What are you excited about at Tales this year? Think I'm wrong about any of these?

We shall see...

2 comments:

Rickey said...

Wow. Such a beautiful design of the page. it attracts me a lot and after that when I have gone through the article, m really feeling very exited.
No according to me you are absolutely right about all the things

-J. said...

The "Around the World by (Brass) Rail" looks fascinating. Partially 'cause it's Wondrich, and partially 'cause it's something my academic friends in American culture studies would absolutely love. You'll have to let me know how it goes.

And I think you're correct - "6 Rums You'll Probably Never Taste Again" - how could you say no?