Tasted at Tales

Imbibers who power through six days of Tales of the Cocktail know it’s a marathon not a sprint.

The 22nd Annual cocktail conference for the global drinks industry held in New Orleans was no exception—and the numbers are pretty astounding. This year there were 52 countries represented, 55 seminars, 407 programming events and 290 brands spotlighted.

With generous tastings and non-stop lavish parties, that’s a lot of cocktails.

No participant could possibly experience it all, but trust that Milk Punch Media gave it our all to taste and respectfully discover as much as possible. We polled five fellow Tales tasters and weighed in to narrow it down to four fabulously memorable drinks clinked throughout the week.

Cheers to communing in New Orleans!

"Hot, Cold and Nutty" by Side Hustle

NOMAD COMES TO NEW ORLEANS presented by Aspen Vodka, Seaworthy
Guest shifts at beloved New Orleans bars paired with spirits brands from anywhere in the world are coveted invite events at Tales of the Cocktail. The award-winning bar team from Side Hustle inside NoMad London teamed up with Aspen Vodka for their launch at Seaworthy. Upstairs, the Hot, Cold and Nutty was all the buzz. That foam! “The beauty is that you have two different temperatures,” notes Liana Oster, Bar Director at NoMad, who was lovingly serving her creation on this side of the pond. “The bottom is cold like an Espresso Martini and the top is warm, aerated coconut cardamom foam—a nice little play on flavors.” And echoing Liana, it’s simply delightful.

Aspen Vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Frangelico, Cold Brew Coffee, Hot Coconut Cardamom Foam

 

"Night Train" at All Kinds

DREAM ON POP-UP, JW Marriott 
“You want more fire?” asked one of two bartenders tag-teaming a standout cocktail with Angel’s Envy rye whiskey and torched rosemary at the immersive pop-up, All Kinds, hosted by Marriott International. With featured talent from hotel bartenders across the Edition, W and JW Marriott suite of luxury brands, the experience took Tales VIPs from a “dreamscape” in slippers to “your worst nightmare” in a secret dark glow room. Night Train is the cocktail that seeped into my consciousness with the awakening that spicy rye, nutty orgeat (pistachio!) and amaro is a cocktail fantasy all its own. Beverage Operations Manager Bryan Tate is the flavor mastermind behind the specs, which was crafted in New Orleans by the Tampa EDITION team.

Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey, Rosemary, Amaro Montenegro, Angostura Bitters, Pistachio Orgeat, Lemon, Torched Rosemary

"Fig + Amaretto" by Handshake Speakeasy

MEXICAN TAKEOVER, Cure
Imagine this POV: Having a cocktail at Cure, the original craft cocktail bar in New Orleans, shaken by the actual bar team from Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, currently No. 1 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, made with tequila in the Cristalino Colecion de Mexico, makers of the first-ever Cristalino tequila? That’s a major Tales moment—and far cheaper than cocktail travel list airfare. The Fig + Amaretto is on the velvety sweet side and memorably spectacular. That same esteemed bar team from Handshake Speakeasy, including Eric Van Beek and Rodrigo Urraca, was awarded Best International Bar Team and World’s Best Cocktail Menu that very night at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.

Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Cristalino, Fig Leaf, Amaretto, Lemon, Whey

"Tomatini" by LPM Miami

KETEL ONE’S TOAST TO EXTRA, Justine
Should you find yourself in Miami scouring Les Cocktails menu at LPM, the Tomatini is heralded as “the essence of LPM in a martini glass.” But we’re not in Miami, we’re in New Orleans, feeling luxe showered with Chef Justin’s caviar with créme fraîche and Ketel One cocktails at Justine. (Everywhere else was just a Tuesday afternoon!) Tomato cocktails were trending at Tales events, spotted also in tequila and Scotch cocktails. Tangy and sweet, it’s garnished with a larger-than-life pepper grinder. We were smitten with the whole Ketel One experience, including Espresso Martinis on tap, Cosmo and Lemon Drop jelly cocktails from Solid Wiggles and a Martini Your Way pop-up with a DIY garnish bar. Next trip to Miami, we’ll be seeking out that LPM Tomatini!

Ketel One Vodka, Campari Tomatoes, 3 Year Old Pensato White Balsamic, Simple Syrup, Salt & Pepper