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Thursday, July 20

Get the Hot Dish
Presented by Food & Wine
Hotel Monteleone
11:30 a.m.
$25

 Hosted by Food Goddess Lorin Gaudin, Mixologist Dale DeGroff, Chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Frank Stitt, Aaron Sanchez and Suvir Saran talk about current trends in flavors, how flavors evolve, the next big flavor and how flavors are important in creating the "hot dish."

Classic New Orleans Cocktails
Presented by Sazerac, Louisiana Cookin' Magazine, Fee Brothers Bitters, Martini & Rossi and Noilly Prat
Hotel Monteleone
1:30 p.m.
$25

Led by Phil Greene and Chris McMillian, learn to shake your own Ramos Gin Fizz in your own cocktail shaker (first 50 guests receive a cocktail shaker complements of Loubat) as these cocktail experts and historians teach you not only how to make classic New Orleans cocktails, but also explain the history and folklore behind them. Sip a Sazerac and learn about the original New Orleans cocktail, and the dynamic history of the drink and its creator, Antoine Amedee Peychaud. Listen to poetry and literary excerpts as you sample the best Mint Julep you'll ever have. Shake your own Ramos Gin Fizz while you learn of its history, as well as its status as the favorite drink of Louisiana's Kingfish, Huey Long (he loved the drink so much he took a Roosevelt Hotel bartender with him to New York to teach them how to make it). And learn how to make a proper Hurricane, using fresh juices (not to mention two types of rum!). First 50 guests receive a Spirits Souvenir gift bag with Bitters, coasters, a shaker from Loubat, a commemorative poster and martini lamp!

Pairing Cocktails and Food
Presented by Imbibe Magazine
Hotel Monteleone
3 p.m.
$25

Led by Robert Hess, a.k.a. Drinkboy, his selected panel of mixologists, Audrey Saunders of Pegu Club in New York, and Ryan Magerian, learn how to use cocktails not just as a pre-dinner libation, but as amazing accompaniments to a meal. Sample selected pairings as you discover the culinary potentials of pairing cocktails with food. When properly selected, cocktails can be an amazing accompaniment to the meal. Robert and friends provide insights to the culinary potentials of pairing cocktails with food. Attendees will also get the opportunity to sample some of the panelists selected pairings while listening to them describe the approach that they used in making that particular selection.

The New Orleans Original Cocktail Tour
 Begins at the Gray Line Lighthouse
4 p.m.
$24

It's history... with a twist!
Take a walk through the French Quarter on The New Orleans Original 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 New Orleans Original Cocktail Tour mixes classic stories of famous New Orleans establishments with facts about the unique concoctions made famous here.

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 1800s. 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 New Orleans Original Cocktail Tour.

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

Cocktail Hour
 Hotel Monteleone
5:30 p.m.
$20

Meet and greet authors of famous cocktail books, purchase autographed copies, sample signature cocktails and unique dishes, and meet our celebrity bartender, Kevin Brauch, host of FINE LIVING NETWORK’S TV SERIES, “The Thirsty Traveler.”

Also at Tales of the Cocktail’s Cocktail Hour:

  1. Purchase books on-site with Borders.
  2. Taste classic New Orleans dishes—with a twist— by local chefs who will conduct cooking demonstrations using spirits, including New Orleans’ own Chef Jared Tees of Bourbon House, Chef Duke LoCicero of Café Giovanni, Chef Chris DeBarr of Delachaise and Chef Jack Martinez of Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse.
  3. Sample each author’s and mixologist’s signature cocktail and take the recipe home with you.
  4. Bid to win a hand-painted New Orleans commemorative bar for your home designed by Simon Hardeveld of Simon of New Orleans. Simon’s images can be seen around many New Orleans bars and restaurants and include colorful messages like “Be Nice or Leave.” Proceeds from the auction benefit the Delgado Culinary School Scholarship Fund through the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society whose mission is to preserve the history of dining and drinking in New Orleans.
  5. Meet our celebrity bartender, Kevin Brauch, a.k.a. "The Thirsty Traveler," from the FINE LIVING TV NETWORK's hit show. “The Thirsty Traveler” plays host and guide to the world's greatest beer, wine, and spirit-producing regions.  Viewers quench their thirst for knowledge and good times, and learn the customs and cuisines from the people who carry the traditions of these spirits.  

Borders Books will be selling all participating authors books at the Hotel Monteleone Friday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.

Spirited Dinners
Presented by New Orleans Magazine
8:00 p.m.

 Participating Restaurants include:


Click on restaurant name to see menu and prices.

Enjoy a fine dining experience in a classic New Orleans restaurant with a unique menu designed by the restaurant's chef and guest author and/or mixologist, who serve as "Bar Chef." Chefs pair cocktails with each course featuring Stoli, Malibu, Chivas Regal and Kahlua among other liquors.

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.