If you know me, you know I live for a good cocktail. So it should be no surprise that Tales of the Cocktail is one of my favorite times of year. If you’ve been out of the loop, let me give you a little back story of what TOTC truly is:
Tales of the Cocktail® is the world’s premier cocktail festival, bringing together the international spirits community for five days of what’s now, what’s new and what’s next in bartending. Held annually in New Orleans, Tales of the Cocktail® has something for bartenders and spirits professionals with opportunities to mix and mingle with the brightest minds in mixology during an always-spirited schedule of seminars, dinners, competitions, tasting rooms and new product launches. Join us in New Orleans July 16-20 for the 12th Annual Tales of the Cocktail® where for five days the cocktail reigns supreme. All Hail the Cocktail!
via TOTC
Thanks to my good friends over at Taylor Marketing, I was privileged to hit up a couple of TOTC hot spots, and I must say that I got my life!
First up: Diageo World Class House Party
Where: Contemporary Arts Center (high-five on that!)
When: 9pm – 12am
What: With grass (felt), trailers in the “backyard,” and a band, it was really set up like a true old-fashioned house party. Chee Weez performed some of my faves, Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and more on the “Living Room” stage.
Now, I’ve been to a few TOTC parties, and they’ve all been grand; this one was no different. In true fashion, I arrived an hour and 30 late (ya know, just enough time to get the party rollin’), and the line was ridic! Like, where were all of these people? Clearly we were the party people. So, we got our bands and proceeded. Man, listen…the only bad thing (to some) about these types of parties is that there’s soooo much liquor to choose from! You legit get confused. So much goes into nights like this: “Am I gonna do brown or white?,” “Liquor or wine? Or beer?!” “Which drink am I gonna try first?,” “Should I try those shots??” There’s a lot of work to be put into a night of tasting and drinking, especially when choosing from Tanqueray, Don Julio Tequila, Bulleit, and George Dickel. It’s work!
Once I figured it out, I frequented the brown sections. Whiskey’s my thing. I’m straight on Vodka, CANNOT deal with Tequila, Rum isn’t enough, and Gin is not in. So, Bulleit, George Dickel and I were just fine. Oh, and Red Stripe. There was plenty Red Stripe. I don’t know if it was the timing of us getting there, but there wasn’t an overflow of food, and you KNOW I was looking for that good ol’ NOLA cuisine. All I was able to snatch was a bowl (a very small bowl) of red beans. Yum. -__-
The night ended at midnight and the party moved to the streets. But before leaving, I had to snatch Honey Whiskey + Pineapple and HW + Pomegranate popsicles. Everyone was walking around with yellow and red pops, so I dabbled and they were amazing! And I am not a fan of honey. Who knew! My night ended with on Frenchmen St. at Dat Dog, but I was too pooped to enjoy my Crawfish Etouffee dog. =/ Hey, #nojudging!