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Books and Beignets
Presented by Café DuMonde and Starbucks Iced Coffee
Hotel Monteleone
10 a.m.
$25

Join David Wondrich, Ted Haigh (Dr. Cocktail), St. John Frizell and other "mixographers" for a discussion on the history and art of cocktail book writing. Authors discussed will include "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Charles H. Baker, Jr., David Embury, Harry Craddock of the Savoy and a 6-pack or so of other authors of classic cocktail books. Topics will include the rules of mixography (if there are any), the problems of researching the lives of bartenders and a whole lot more. Guests receive vouchers for coffee and beignets at Café DuMonde. Coffee will be served.

South of the Border...Down Mexico Way
Presented by Herradura Tequila and Frito Lay Sensations
Hotel Monteleone
11:30 a.m.
$25

Dale DeGroff, a.k.a. King Cocktail, presents a tasting of tequilas from Jalisco and why tequila is the fastest growing spirit in Mexico. Learn to mix a Margarita and classic Tequila Sunrise from scratch! Dale DeGroff presents a tasting of tequilas from the different areas of Jalisco; the Lowlands and Los Altos followed by cocktails. You will taste the 1948 recipe for the Tequila Sunrise and never drink the modern recipe again! Learn how to make the classic straight up Margarita and if you like em frozen you will never have to buy a bottled tequila mix again! All guests receive Herradura Tequila goodies.

Cooking with Spirit
Café Giovanni
1:00 p.m.
$25

Chef Duke Locicero shows guests how to throw a dinner party featuring great recipes for cooking with spirits. Learn recipes from Café Giovanni's menu. Joining Chef Duke will be food radio personalities, Kevin Jenkins and Chef Fred Genovese, of the show, "The Chef and the Fat Man," which airs Saturdays in Atlanta. Each guest will leave with a "Spirited Cooking" starter kit that includes Chef Duke's hot sauce, a recipe book and other goodies from the Giovanni kitchen.

Cake-tails and Pie-tinis
Hotel Monteleone
3 p.m.
$25

Hosted by Michael Waterhouse of Dylan Prime, Cake-tails and Pie-tinis presents original desert cocktails designed to taste like the deserts they are named for, such as Apple Pie Ala-mode, German Chocolate Cake, Key Lime Pie, Peach Cobbler and more. The popular drinks are replacing dessert at restaurants around the country! The seminar includes a hands-on instruction of mixing the cocktails, recipes and taste comparisons.

Martini's and Makeovers
Belladonna Day Spa
3 - 5 p.m.
Free!

Taste the hottest martinis women are drinking around the world and top it off with a makeover by professionals at Belladonna, New Orleans' premiere day spa and retail therapy. Guests will receive a complimentary Belladonna Marigold lip gloss while supplies last.

Vodka Classics: All About Vodka
Presented by Stoli Vodka
Hotel Monteleone
4 p.m.
$25

Authors and mixologists Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown teach the fine art of shaking and stirring classic vodka drinks. Learn to select the right vodka for classic cocktails, such as a Moscow Mule, Screwdriver, Bloody Mary or Vesper and participate in a vodka tasting.

Bartend.com Certification Course
Presented by American Express
Hotel Monteleone
4 - 7 p.m.
$149 for both days

This 6-hour (two-day) course covers the art of preparing and serving classic cocktails, shooters, exotic drinks, flambes, champagne, wine, beer and much more. Explore bartending as a profession or surprise everyone at your next crawfish boil or holiday party by mastering expert mixing skills. Students will learn the origins and distillation of alcohol as well as which equipment and which glass to use for each drink. Bartending is a hands-on profession which needs to be taught behind a real bar environment with the use of real alcohol. The Bartending course also includes professional work ethics, employment opportunities, how to adapt to different work environments and the expectations of most employers.

The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour
Begins at the Gray Line Lighthouse
4 p.m.
$24.00

It's history...with a twist!
Take a walk through the French Quarter on The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour and discover the famous "spirits" of New Orleans. From the creation of the Sazerac and Pimm's Cup to the Hurricane and Hand Grenade, you'll enjoy a view of New Orleans history and culture through our legendary bars and restaurants, and the characters that frequented them. The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour mixes classic stories of famous New Orleans establishments with facts about the unique concoctions made famous here, including Souther Comfort, which was created in a French Quarter bar in 1874.

This two and a half hour walking tour visits historical establishments such as Antoine's and Arnaud's restaurants, as Brennan's and the Court of Two Sisters restaurants, the oldest bars in the city including Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop and Napoleon House, whose stories date back to the 1800's. Guests can taste cocktails along their walk and take home a cocktail recipe book and a discount for "Obituary Cocktail," the photographic essay and book by Kerri McCaffety, on which the Cocktail Tour is based. Enjoy history... with a twist on the Souther Comfort Cocktail Tour.

Book online for the Souther Comfort Cocktail Tour daily, or during the Tales of the Cocktail. Visit "The Cocktail Tour" link in the top menu of this page.

Mix it Up on Magazine Street
Presented by Vespa New Orleans, Abita Beer, Malibu, Stoli, Kahlua, and Dorignac's
2000 Block of Magazine Street
6 - 9 p.m.
$15

Listen to music by local DJs, DJ Wizdum and DJ Po’ Boy, enjoy dance and entertainment by LSU’s B-Boys, and shop unique boutiques while tasting a variety of cocktails in a block-party style event.

Shop at these featured stores:

• Antique’s Magazine - American Victorian 1850’s - 1950’s lighting, art glass, furniture, silver, costume jewelry
• Audubon Antiques - Everything from the collectibles, to the finest antique treasures
• Bon Marche - Antique, vintage & designer furniture, collectibles, art, photography, jewelry
• Dark Charm - An all accessories boutique owned by Robyn Lewis, owner of the Trashy Diva
• Derby Pottery and Tile - Mark Derby offers the finest in handmade pottery, tile, and sculptural objects
• House of Lounge - A selection of retro glamour-luxurious lingerie and accessories
• Juan’s Flying Burrito - A Mexican restaurant with large burrito’s and margaritas to match
• Metro Three - Bohemian clothing styles and cool “New Orleans” inspired screen T-shirts
• Neophalia - Mid-century modern furnishings and decor
• Pen & Knife - Unique shop offering a variety of fine quality pens, knives, swords, and more
• Relics - Home decor accessories and elegant extras
• Sashay By - A limited amount of ladies ready to wear, jewelry by Courtney Designs, skin care products by Forever Living Products, and much more!
• Trashy Diva - Vintage/modern fusion cocktail dresses, day wear, and accessories
• Vegas - Casual contemporized clothes for men
• Winky’s Upstairs - Snazzy clothing and accessories for men, women, and babies
  

Libations and Literature - Live with Jennifer English
Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone
10 p.m. - Midnight.
Free!

Join Jennifer English, one of America 's most exciting and articulate culinary personalities. She is an award winning talk show host, national tastemaker, entrepreneurial success story, and a broadcast pioneer as well. Jennifer launched The Food & Wine Radio Network in December 1999, and it was the first national talk radio network dedicated exclusively to the delicious, entertaining and dynamic world of food, wine and the good life. The Food & Wine Radio Network is heard by a passionate growing audience in over 65 cities and live worldwide on the Internet. Join Jennifer for two nights as she gives voice to the world's most interesting and influential tastemakers at Tales of the Cocktail. 2006 new Orleans