2006 Tales of the Cocktail

Spirited Reviews from the 2006 Tales of the Cocktail:

“Tales of the Cocktail has grown in four short years to become a unique New Orleans celebration of the American Cocktail and it is here to stay.”

Dale DeGroff
King Cocktail

"Viva Tales of the Cocktail. I found the Sip of the City to be extremely stimulating, deliciously intoxicating and a great way to spend five-divine days sharing the culture, the history and the spirit of the cocktail with other enthusiastic consumers as we rebuild the City of New Orleans. It was the perfect distraction after almost a year of dealing with insurance adjusters, SBA loans and overpriced contractors.”

Margarita Bergen
Bayou Buzz

"What a pleasure to learn about the history and craft of the cocktail from top mixologists, to drink their drinks, and to develop a new appreciation of what's in your glass--all in one of the greatest eating and drinking cities in the world."

JJ Goode
Epicurious.com

“The Coolest Thing to do in a hot New Orleans summer”

David Duggan
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

"Wine-snobs beware! The cocktail is back!"

Carolyn B. Hennesy
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

“We’re grateful for all your efforts that have made Tales of the Cocktail a truly great event in a city that knows a thing or two about great events, and most certainly how to pawty, dawlin’. May we never cease to love Tales of the Cocktail. Keep up your great work!”

Geoff Baldwin
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

“My husband and I enjoyed Tales of the Cocktail this year. It was our first year and we have told everyone we know how wonderful our experience was. Thank you so much for all the work you do to bring this wonderful celebration together.”

Liz Stafford
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

“This was the most fun I have had in the Quarter in July ever.”

Patricia Gibbons
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

“Katrina may have shaken and stirred us, but the bar “New Orleans” is still open.”

Daniel Bowlby
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

"Tales of the Cocktail" affords participants, whether lucky enough to live here or not, an in-depth look at and taste of our magnificent food and drinks."

Patricia Livingston
Tales of the Cocktail Guest

“Tales is a mecca for cocktail makers and drinkers. If you neither, you will be after attending. Is good cheer and great fun are that infectious.”

Jeff Berry
Author, The Beachum Berry Recipe Book Series

“The single best cocktail event we have ever attended, a must for professionals and enthusiast alike.”

Andrew Dorenburg and Karen Page
Authors, Becoming a Chef Series and website

“Oh, Lord! Tales of the Cocktail is an amazing cultural and culinary festival--and about drinks! In New Orleans! What more could you ask for?"

David Wondrich
Contributing Editor and Drinks Correspondent, Esquire Magazine; Author, Esquire Drinks and Killer Cocktails

“Tales of the Cocktail was really well run and there were so many interesting, fun events. One thing that really moved us was how grateful the people of New Orleans were that Tales of the Cocktail was going on, bringing people to the city. Thanks for all of your hard work!”

Katie Walter and Holly Burrows
Co-Authors, Hot Toddies and Cool Drinks

“The Most illustrious gathering of mixologists and cocktail historians since Thomas Jefferson drank alone”

Wayne Curtis
Author, The History of the World in 10 Cocktails

“Tales of the Cocktail brings cocktail’s leading personalities and those passionate about mixing drinks together to socialize and swap knowledge and stories in the perfect setting for such an event, New Orleans. It’s an event I mark in my diary a year in advance.”

Simon Difford
Author, Difford’s Guide to Cocktails

“Once again I want to thank you for inviting us to Tales of the Cocktail. It was great fun meeting everyone and taking part in the glorious events. I hope that Saturday and Sunday also went well for you. It was certainly an experience I will never forget.”

Rob Chirico
Author, Field Guide to Cocktails

“I had just a marvelous times at Tales of the Cocktail. Your staff was so cheerful and helpful and the location was so beautiful—both the people and place set the stage for a great event. I found every speaker to be compelling, and my copious notes (which got slightly less coherent as the tippling went on) attest to how much I learned over the four days! As an outsider, Tales of the Cocktail was a wonderful way to come back to New Orleans. Though I know how much work needs to be done and how much support is still needed, I found it uplifting to see so many places and people who are back to work and bringing the city back to life.”

Gretchen VanEsselstyn
Editor-in-Chief, Chile Pepper Magazine

“To wrap up Tales of the Cocktail, I’ve got to encourage everyone to set aside some time next summer and put together a little cash to make sure you don’t let this event get away. The price for everything was remarkably reasonable, and the benefits of being around a swarm of other spirits-heads and cocktail geeks are indescribable. I’m already planning my strategy for next year, and you should be too. Head over to Tales of the Cocktail’s website, bookmark it, and keep coming around until you see info for 2007. I hope to see everyone there.”

Paul Clarke
Contributing Writer, Cocktailchronicles.com and Imbibe Magazine

“As an industry professional, Tales of the Cocktail was a learning experience from start to finish. As a long time fan of New Orleans and a well built cocktail, it was a weekend I will never forget. I can’t wait for next year.”

Jennifer Adams
Associate Editor, Nightclub and Bar Magazine

“Just wanted to drop you a line and congratulate you on Tales of the Cocktail. I was so sad that I couldn’t make it down, but I heard nothing but good reports.”

Mitch Frank
Associate Editor, Wine Spectator

“Tales of the Cocktail was a blast and I was able to get tons of great information for next year’s coverage. All of the speakers were fantastic and the Monteleone was a dream.”

Roy “Buddy” Kite
Assistant Editor, Country Living

"A great reason to travel to New Orleans, and an convivial setting in which to meet some of the most interesting people in the city."

Karen Martin
HomeStyle Editor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

“Sip for the City and Tales of the Cocktail 2006 was just what the doctor ordered for New Orleans in the first summer post-Katrina. With the prevailing attitude of, "We're not sure what to do until hurricane season is over this year. One more storm in New Orleans and we're leaving for good.” Tales of the Cocktail gave New Orleans an energized spirit full of life and vitality. It was good to see the city return to its heritage of relaxed living during this stressful time of rebuilding.”

Michael Brewer
Chef and co-owner, Jackson Restaurant

“I really enjoyed being back in New Orleans and meeting so many interesting people from the “Cocktail world.” The hospitality of the city was great and the drinks were super.”

Marcus Samuellson
Chef and co-owner, Aquavit

“We had a great dinner – lots of fun and great comments. It’s a nice event for July. We had many people visit 7 on Fulton on Friday that attended the bartending events. They really loved it.”

Vicky Bayley
Owner, 7 on Fulton Restaurant

“The 2006 Tales of the Cocktail was fantastic. It is a great event that elevates the classic cocktail and brings the beverage community together for an important cause.”

Bridget Albert
Mixologist, Southern Wine

"Tales of the Cocktail continues to be a wonderful gathering of fertile minds. As a manufacturer, the event has proven to be invaluable. New ideas come home with me every time."

Joe Fee
Fee Brothers

Reviews from past Tales of the Cocktail events:

"New York Hosts Tales of the Cocktail Party" by Debra Argen, Luxury Experience Magazine, February 2006

"Tall Tales in the Big Easy" by Peter Buchanan, Metro Journal, 2005

"Tales of the Cocktail is a fascinating way to experience the depth and breadth of a truly classic American cuisine coupled with America's original cuisine-the cocktail. With so much history surrounding you; so many ways to expand your cocktail and culinary knowledge; and such a wonderful way to support one of the world's most unique cities, I can't think of a single reason why any one would miss this fabulous four-day event."

Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown, authors of "Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini" and pod-casters of "At Brown's Bar."

An exciting series of events showcasing our history, libations, characters and those who want to be."

Tanga Winstead, Designer

"There are plenty of festivals and celebrations around New Orleans, and the entire country. But this one gets to the heart of the matter: Great beverages, good friends, history, conviviality and smiles all around."

Tim McNally, NewOrleans.com and host of "The Wine Show" on BizRadio 990 a.m.

"Tales of the Cocktail offers a unique opportunity to experience ageless cocktails and unique new blendings. It provides the venue to make contacts with interesting national authors and to sample great food. There is always an element of learning incorporated in the event for added interest."

Bonnie Warren, writer and public relations specialist. Bonnie was editor of New Orleans Magazine and restaurant critic for Gambit Weekly.

"It would be hard to imagine an event with a better, and more accessible collection of world-famous mixologists. I continue to be amazed at how well the events come together, with authors and participants from all across the country. Each event has been a marvel of organization and planning."

Robert Hess, www.drinkboy.com

"Ann Rogers created an event three years ago called Southern Comfort's Tales of the Cocktail for Brown Forman celebrating New Orleans, the birthplace of Southern Comfort. The event has grown in scope and become another Great New Orleans celebration of food and drinkÉ. The city and the food and beverage industry at large has embraced this event and this year food and beverage writers from the nations biggest newspapers and magazines flocked to New Orleans to participate and report."

Dale DeGroff, author "The Craft of the Cocktail"

"It's an industry standard to pair a wine with a main course, and honestly gets boring with the same old pairs. But Tales of the Cocktail really mixes it up by recommending the pair of a mixed drink and an entrée. Fun, fresh, different, and definitely entertaining. This is one annual event I never miss."

Beth D 'Aquin Clear Channel radio

Tales of the Cocktail has become "The" event for keeping up with cocktail trends and to exchange ideas with some of the most renowned cocktailians in the world. Tales of the Cocktail is to the world of the mixed drink as VinExpo is to the world of wine, and like VinExpo which is held in the wine region of Bordeaux, France, Tales of the Cocktail is held in the "home" of the cocktail - New Orleans, Louisiana.

Edward F. Nesta, President of Luxury Experience Company and Publisher of Luxury Experience magazine ( www.luxuryexperience.com)

Since its creation, I have looked forward to attending Tales of the Cocktail every summer. It is THE premiere showcase of mixologists, authors, chefs, Southern Comfort creativity and true Southern hospitality -- and it gets bigger and better each year."

Taylor Rau, Editor of Nightclub and Bar Magazine

"Only in New Orleans could we find a respectable mix of liquor and literature. Tales of the Cocktail is a weekend to celebrate both. Makes perfect sense to me - the cocktail reached iconic status in New Orleans well over a century ago, just as some of the greatest literary figures of our time did some of their best work here. Insider's tip: Take a cab or find a designated driver. Heavy partying required all weekend."

Paul A. Greenberg

"Tales of the Cocktail...where else could such an event be held and draw such an enthusiastic response but... in New Orleans!" Greg Hoffman, Vice-President & General Manager of Gray Line Tours in New Orleans

God Bless YOU and ALL of the people in New Orleans. My husband and I have been coming to NO three or four times a year for 22 years. When people ask me why I go there so often I tell them it's to visit my heart. I left it there on my first visit. We were last there in August. We left two days before the hurricane hit. The problems caused by Katrina and the resulting levee break have broken my heart. We have many good friends in NO and the surrounding area. Most of them have lost everything. Some of them even lost their lives. Fortunately, a few came through with their possessions in tact, but their lives are not the same. New Orleans has been very good to me and I hope to be able in some small way to return the favor. I know all of the city's problems can't be fixed with a Tales of the Cocktail event, but any time you can bring people together and give them something to enjoy, it's a step in the right direction - and very much appreciated.

- Jacques Nicholson, attended Tales of the Cocktail since 2003, Oklahoma

An interview by Yuri Kata of CocktailTimes.com with Flo Woodard, bartender at The Court of Two Sisters, and runner-up in the 2006 Official Cocktail Competition for Tales of the Cocktail.

How did you come up with the recipe? What inspired you the most?

I was inspired by the Mojito. I added the Bitters to give it a New Orleans twist and then I added the cranberry juice and ginger ale to make it a "cooler". That's how I created the "Crescent City Cooler".

Are you a native of New Orleans?

I was born and raised in Tylertown, Mississippi, but I have lived in New Orleans for 50 years.

What is your hope for New Orleans' recovery in hospitality industry this year?

Hopefully, conventions will start coming back to New Orleans and people will realize that New Orleans is "the place" to visit. We have so much to offer visitors - great food, music and history, and of course lots of fun.

Please share your mixology experience if possible (including how long you've been working at the current restaurant)?

I have been working at The Court of Two Sisters for 38 years. I worked as a bartender for about two years before coming to the Court, but at a casual neighborhood bar. The Court is where I gained the experience I have behind the bar. I learned bartending through experience on the job and by reading many bar books throughout my career.

See our recipes page for a recipe for the Crescent City Cooler and other winning cocktails.