"tales of the cocktail" news and stories

The Randolph's Jason Littrell at Tales of the Cocktail. Photo: Sara Bonisteel

We're moving a little slower today -- in part because it's sweltering in New Orleans. We'd hate to blame the 40 different libations created by mixologists amid a Mardi Gras exhibition at the Presbytere for a spirited happy hour at Tales of the Cocktail, but that might be at play too.

Yesterday saw seminars on the hows of alcohol -- how to taste, how to pair, how to make vegan clover clubs (substitute soy lecithin for the egg whites). It also saw some of the world's most famous mixologists shaking their stuff -- Dale DeGroff, David Wondrich, Junior Merino. Keep following us on Twitter. And click on for a gallery of on-the-scene photos.

About $45,000 worth of cocktail shakers. Photo: Sara Bonisteel

This year's Tales kicked off with a toast on Wednesday, and then mixologists and cocktail aficionados got down to the business of drink with seminars on everything from starting a bar to using fresh ingredients. Slashfood dropped by a talk on the history of truly classic -- and highly collectible -- cocktail shakers.

There we eyed these four beauties: a lighthouse, two Zeppelin shakers and Norman Bel Geddes' (real-life dad of Miss Ellie from TV's "Dallas") skyscraper design -- which the jovial Jim Walker told us in his most serious voice are worth more than an average year of college.

We're heading out to catch a streetcar to learn more about the molecular DNA of classic cocktails. Check back later for more photos and keep following us as we Tweet from the scene!

Get the official Tales cocktail after the jump.

New Orleans has long been a cocktail town. Photo: nerdling/flickr

Tales of the Cocktail returns this week to New Orleans for its seventh year. Slashfood is on our way to discover the latest and greatest libations. We'll be Tweeting from the scene in the French Quarter. Check our Tweet feed here, and keep an eye out for new posts each day throughout the week. And if you're there, let's Tweet up!

I've already expressed my unyielding love for the mint julep here on Slashfood. So I'm happy to announce that this years Tales of the Cocktail competition is based on none other than my beloved julep.

What's in it for you, bartenders? How about cash money and the honor of having your julep selected as the official cocktail of the 2009 Tales Of The Cocktail festival and published in the official recipe book by Mud Puddle books.

According to noted cocktail historian and one of the judges of the this competition, David Wondrich, bartenders should consider these definitions when creating their juleps:

- A Julep can be based on spirits, wine (or fortified wine) or a combination of the two.
- It must be made in a tall (10-14 oz) glass with cracked or shaved ice.
- It may contain citrus or other fruit juice, but only in a proportion not to exceed 1/8 of the total volume of liquid (not including ice).
- It must include fresh mint.
- It must contain sugar or some other sweetener.

For full rules and guidlines plus the entry form, follow this link to Cocktailtimes.com.

Oh, and if you haven't circled your calenders yet, this years Tales Of The Cocktail will be July 8 - 12th

After a week spent wandering the halls of Tales of the Cocktail in July 2008, sipping many finely stirred and shaken libations; I said to myself, "These special cocktails need to be shared with the world." So I bring you Cocktail Hour, a finer way to celebrate the end of the day; with these recipes. They have either been created specifically for Tales of the Cocktail, or re-designed for a new approach on the traditional version by some of the top Mixologists in the world. Many are being presented to the public here for the first time. Enjoy!

Bright Eyes Kiwifruit Fizz cocktail recipe after the jump