Tales of the Cocktail® Announces 2013 Cocktail Apprentice Team

Forty-one new Cocktail Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn alongside mixology experts during this summer’s Tales of the Cocktail® festival

NEW ORLEANS — June 12, 2013 —Tales of the Cocktail® is proud to partner with Cointreau® Orange Liqueur for the 6^th consecutive year for the Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP).  Forty-one individuals were selected from around the world to participate during this summer’s Tales of the Cocktail® with some of the world’s most respected mixologists. These apprentices were selected on the bases of craft, expertise and experience.

“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with Tales of the Cocktail and to again be so involved in the Cocktail Apprentice Program” says Alfred Cointreau, sixth generation of the Cointreau family.  “It’s exciting to see the passion that goes into these individuals honing their craft.  Cointreau has a long history of supporting and educating the trade, and I’m proud to continue this tradition through the CAP program.”

First year apprentice, Amanda Wan, said “It’s been my dream to go to Tales of the Cocktail® ever since I started learning about cocktails and seven years later it’s coming true with a whole lot of meaning – where I’m going ‘behind the scenes’ to learn what makes this influential event so amazing, and meet some of the people who have been behind it all these years! It is events like Tales of the Cocktail that elevate the level of professionalism in the drinks industry, awarding and recognizing the most gifted individuals, teams and showcasing their work, our industry, to the rest of the world.”

The Tales of the Cocktail® Apprentice Program was developed in 2008 to give talented bartenders the opportunity to apprentice with skilled veterans and hone their craft. Working directly with presenters during the highly sought after seminars, the program gives participants an opportunity to work on large scale events while learning first-hand about their craft’s history and it’s new directions. Apprentices continue to take these skills to new achievements in their home bars and personal work post-Tales of the Cocktail®. The team camaraderie and dynamics they learn and foster during this week have also become some of the most valuable tools that Apprentices carry on with them.

There was an outstanding number of applicants this year and they come all over from Wyoming to Singapore. The apprentices represent from 19 different states and nine countries. They were selected based on recipe submissions, teamwork and experience level within the industry. The team was designed to ensure a balance between both lifelong bartenders and those newer to the industry. This new group of apprentices will bring great diversity and experience to the 2013 Tales of the Cocktail®.

After serving at this year’s festivities, Tales of the Cocktail® apprentices will be eligible for the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program. In 2010, Tales of the Cocktail® founded a $30,000 annual scholarship program developed exclusively for former cocktail apprentices to pursue additional learning opportunities. Following an extensive multi-step selection process former apprentices are chosen to receive funding for projects ranging from expanding career experiences to educating the cocktail community.

For more information about the Cocktail Apprentice Program as well as bios for the 2013 CAP team, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About Tales of the Cocktail®

This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11^th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013. For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

About Cointreau ®

Created more than 160 years ago in Angers, France, Cointreau is one of the world’s most famous crystal clear spirits. Cointreau’s distinctive square‐shaped bottle, with rounded shoulders and warm amber color, is recognized worldwide, as well as its subtle taste – a perfect balance of bitter and sweet orange peels grown and meticulously selected for their quality.  Cointreau is best known as being a key ingredient in the most popular cocktail in the US; the margarita. In addition, Cointreau is an essential ingredient in the Cosmopolitan and other top shelf cocktails, such as the Sidecar and the White Lady. Its versatility, defined by its capacity to combine the richness of its flavors and aroma, makes it a perfect choice neat or on the rocks. Today, more than 15 million Cointreau bottles are sold worldwide and Cointreau remains the authentic choice of many top bartenders in the smartest and most fashionable bars.

© 2013 Cointreau Corp., Cointreau® Liqueur, 40% Alc./Vol.,  Imported by Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc., New York, NY.  E. Cointreau Seal Design®. BE COINTREAUVERSIAL®.PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

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After over seven years of involvement with, and co-ownership of, Tales of the Cocktail, I have finally been given the honor of writing this year’s Sponsor Letter and Statement of Etiquette.  While I am sure that most of you are unfamiliar with me, my participation in Tales of the Cocktail, and my background, I can assure you that I am very aware of the support each of you have provided over the years to Tales of the Cocktail, making it by far the most unique and successful Event of its kind, throughout the World. 

Almost from the inception of my involvement in 2006, it became clear to me that in order for Tales of the Cocktail to be a sustainable success, we needed to ensure that at every opportunity, we involved Representatives from throughout the Industry.  That is why since then, we have maintained a select group of Committees made up of Bartenders, Spirit Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Media, to assist us with everything from the selection of Seminars, the planning of After-Hour Events, and the election of Spirited Award Winners, to the selection of each year’s Cocktail Apprenticeship Class, and so on.  Tales of the Cocktail is, without dispute, the Industry’s Event, programmed by the Industry; Ann, our Staff, the numerous Interns and Volunteers, and I are merely responsible for executing the Event, to the best of our ability.

I grew up in the Restaurant Industry and for the last five years have been a Senior Executive and Partner in one of the fastest growing Restaurant Companies in the Country.  We hope to finish 2013 with 180 Restaurants in 18 States, and begin focusing on International Development by the fourth quarter.  My role and responsibilities with Tales of the Cocktail center more around Financial Management, Legal, the development of, and adherence to, our Mission, Vision and Values, and most exciting, working with Ann on how we can best give back to the Industry, that has given us so much support, over the years.  Truly, we would not be celebrating our Eleventh Year, without each of you; thank you.

During my travels I am fortunate that on occasion I can slip into my role as “Mr. Cocktail” so I can converse with Bartenders from around the World, your Brand Ambassadors, and when appropriate, sample a few Cocktails.  When ordering a libation I always make it a point to call for those Brands that have done so much for us, over the years. 

The success and continuation of what is arguably the Best Global Cocktail Event is dependent upon the continued support and cooperation of our Sponsors.  Ann and I make it a point to ensure that you maximize the return on your investment in Tales of the Cocktail.

With Annual Attendance of between 20,000 and 25,000, most of who are Bartenders, Spirit Manufacturers, Suppliers, Media, and admittedly a few Hardcore Cocktail Enthusiasts, we hope that you would agree that Tales of the Cocktail is the best value, for the monies spent.

• Our Average Seminar Sponsorship is $3,500, with an Average Attendance of 150 Guests.
• Our Average Tasting Room Fee is $2,200, with Average Participation of 300 Guests.
• In 2012 we had over 2,554,423,603 Media Impressions, in which most of our Sponsors were recognized.

So given what it costs to maintain a single Brand Ambassador with Salary, Product, and Travel & Entertainment, I would like to think that Dollar for Dollar, we give you tremendous exposure, access to some of the most influential Participants in the Industry from around the World, and a terrific return on your Investment.

With the monies we generate through Tales of the Cocktail we support such programs as the Cocktail Apprenticeship Program, which is in its sixth year.  As a Cocktail Apprentice, for perpetuity, you can apply for Scholarships to further your education, seek support from the Medical Assistance Fund, or request funding for a special Project that would benefit the Industry as a whole.  In 2015 we hope to establish a Program providing development and funding support for Bar Concepts, through yet again, another Committee who will be responsible for the evaluation Business Plans and recommendations for Funding.

In 2013 we began funding Tuition for an Advanced Level B.A.R. Program and for the third year in a row, we will be providing Scholarships to the Crescent City School of Bartending through the Flo Woodard Scholarship Fund. 

So as you can see, we do a lot for the Industry but as I said before, none of this would be possible without your support, which is why we vehemently protect those Brands that provide Sponsorship Dollars to Tales of the Cocktail, and why we are so aggressive when it comes to shutting down, rogue and unsanctioned Events.  

Throughout the years, with 2013 being no exception, we have had various Brands attempt to take advantage of everyone’s generosity by circumventing the processes that are in place to protect our Sponsors and the Industry, by holding unsanctioned Events.  As we have done in the past, we will do our best to shut these down.  In the past, we’ve successfully closed “Pop-Up” Bars in which rogue Brands have spent tens of thousands of dollars, only to find themselves entertaining less than a dozen Participants and nearly twice as many NOPD Officers and a Fire Marshall.  We’ve made sure that those Brand Ambassadors who feel that their Expense Accounts are best spent buying Illicit Drugs for a dozen of their Friends, renting a Bus and visiting a Local Strip Club for “Special Favors,” understand how inappropriate we feel these actions are and how inconsistent we think they are, with their Brand’s Image.  While we want everyone to have a good time and enjoy him or herself, we do expect them to behave.  Brands that fund these rogue and unsanctioned Events are not only minimizing their return on their investment, but they’re ripping off the very Industry in which, they are attempting to earn a living.

While at the moment, you may not always agree with our suggestions and the directions that we try to point you towards, know that it is always with the best of intentions to ensure that you maximize your return on your investment on your Brand, and the Industry as a whole, benefits from your support.  We do this to ensure the continued success of Tales of the Cocktail, and the benefit to those who so graciously support us through Sponsorships.  All we ask is that you give us the opportunity to help you be as successful as possible. 

I want to once again thank you for your support and encourage you to feel comfortable enough to contact me directly at (504) 402-0208 with any questions, comments, or concerns,

Sincerely,

Paul G. Tuennerman
Chief Bar Back & Co-Owner
Tales of the Cocktail

Phone:    +11 504 402 0208
Email:     paul@talesofthecocktail.com
Twitter: @Mr_Cocktail

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Reintroducing a forgotten art of cocktail making during Tales of the Cocktail®

New York—June 5, 2013—Three years after setting a world record for the largest Kopstootje, Lucas Bols will attempt to set another record during Tales of the Cocktail® by creating the world’s largest Pousse Café. By doing so, Lucas Bols is reintroducing a forgotten art of cocktail making called layering. To showcase the complexity as well as at the excitement of layering a cocktail, the team of the Bols Bartending Academy will use a 670 oz glass and will layer over 10 different Bols Liqueurs and many other spirits on to set the record for the world’s largest Pousse Café cocktail ever made.

Historically served as a “coffee push” to add a little sweetness to an afternoon coffee, today the Pousse Café has become an independent style of cocktail making. It is said that the Puosse Café made its US debut in New Orleans in the mid-19^th century. What we know for a fact is that the famous local New Orleans bartender Nick Castrogiovanni at Nick’s Big Train Bar was known for his Pousse Cafés and therefore it is even more perfect that the attempt will take place in New Orleans. Ann Tuennerman, another famous local as the founder of Tales of the Cocktail®, who visited Nick’s when she was still a college student, will add the last layer to the Pousse Café created by the Lucas Bols team.

In addition to attempting to set the world record, Do it Yourself bars will be set up around the stage in front of the Monteleone Hotel where onlookers will get the chance to win prizes by creating their own Pousse Cafés.

The record attempt will take place on Friday the 19^th of July from 6pm until 7.30 pm C.S.T. in front of the Monteleone Hotel.

About Lucas Bols

Lucas Bols B.V. was originally established in 1575 in Amsterdam. The company has a long and rich heritage which forms the basis for all of its brands. As one of the world’s leading cocktail liqueur and spirit producers, the company prides itself on its commitment to innovation and excellence. For over 435 years, Lucas Bols has been mastering the art of mixing, blending and creating quality liqueurs using centuries old recipes, while striving to produce cutting edge, versatile solutions to suit contemporary palates. The Bols Liqueurs range comprises 35 different flavors, making it a leading authority in the cocktail sector. Lucas Bols B.V. distributes across 110 countries worldwide – ‘one brand, a million drinks’.

About Nick Castrogiovanni (excerpt from http://nicksbar.com/about-chocolates.html)

Nick Castrogiovanni was a New Orleans icon and famed mixologist. He invented more than 150 exotic drinks. Mr. Nick, as he was known to generations of faitful patrons, frequently enthralled customers with his steady-handed manner of pouring layer after layer of liqueurs in his Pousse Cafes and once poured a 34 layer drink in a shot glass for visiting journalists.

About the Pousse Café

Wikipedia: A layered (or “stacked”) drink, sometimes called a pousse-café, is a kind of cocktail in which the slightly different densities of various liqueurs are used to create an array of colored layers, typically three to seven. The specific gravity of the liquid ingredients increases from top to bottom. Liqueurs with the most dissolved sugar and the least alcohol are densest and are put at the bottom. These include fruit juices and cream liqueurs. Those with the least water and the most alcohol, such as rum with 75% alcohol by volume, are floated on top.

About Tales of the Cocktail®

This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11^th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013.

For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

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The exclusive poster by renowned artist Robert Rodriguez sold at Tales of the Cocktail®

NEW ORLEANS—June 5, 2013—Robert Rodriguez once again brings his artistic gifts to design the official 2013 Tales of the Cocktail® poster. This is Rodriguez’s fifth year designing the official poster.

He channeled The Great Gatsby glamour and style with a New Orleans spin to design this year’s poster. The elements of the poster are Art Deco with a romantic, ethereal mood. The poster also includes the words “Drink It In” on the bottom, which is the official theme of the 2013 Tales of the Cocktail®.

About this year’s design, Rodriguez said, “In previous posters for Tales of the Cocktail®, I had shown interior images, so this year I wanted to open it up a little and focus on the ambiance of New Orleans with the nightlife and the wrought iron balconies of the Vieux Carré. I also wanted to do something in a more Cubist/Art Deco style, a little more graphic than the previous
images. And, since the theme of this year’s Spirited Awards® is The Great Gatsby and the featured cocktail is the Rickey, this approach seemed to be the perfect solution.”

If you have ever made yourself a bowl of Quaker Oatmeal for breakfast, bought postage stamps, or cooked spaghetti, then chances are you’re already familiar with the work of Rodriguez. After graduating from Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts) in 1969, he moved back to his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. He has divided his time between Los Angeles and New Orleans ever
since.

After five years working in a design studio, Rodriguez began freelancing as an illustrator. He has always worked on high profile projects, from being one of the eight finalists for the Grammy Award, Best Album Cover art, to winning a platinum award last year for his “Cowboys of the Silver Screen” postage stamps in the Graphis Annual Exhibition. His primary focus over the years has been poster art for clients like Budweiser, Coors, Warner Bros, the SuperBowl, Ringling Bros. And a particularly exciting series for him, is the chance over the last few years to be invited to do posters celebrating the Tales of the Cocktail® in New Orleans.

For more information on Robert Rodriguez, please visit fineartprintsca.com.

About Tales of the Cocktail®
This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013. For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

The post Tales of the Cocktail® Unveils the Official 2013 Poster “Drink It In” appeared first on Tales of the Cocktail.

Finalists are invited to attend the Great Gatsby themed Awards Show

NEW ORLEANS – June 7, 2013 – Following the largest nomination pool in the history of the show and a rigorous judging process by the most respected minds in the cocktail industry, the Top Four finalists have been selected for the 7th Annual Spirited Awards®. The Top Four are invited to attend the Spirited Awards® on July 20, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

“The Nomination and Selection Process for the Spirited Awards is an arduous task, by a committee of the Nominees’ peers.  It is certainly an honor to be recognized as one of the Top Four, in your respective Category.” said Paul G. Tuennerman, Co-Founder, Tales of the Cocktail®.

Through its annual Spirited Awards®, Tales of the Cocktail® recognizes those that continue to represent the cocktail industry in exciting new spotlights. To embody the ideals in which Tales of the Cocktail® was originally founded, these awards were developed to recognize both national and international honorees across eighteen categories. Each award recipient will receive an exclusive Riedel Crystal trophy.

Tales of the Cocktail® is proud to announce that our sponsors include Bacardi USA, BarSmarts, Becherovka, Beverage Media Group, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Imbibe Magazine, Olmeca Altos, Tanqueray Gin and William Grant & Sons.

“Now that the final fours have been announced, please offer encouragement and support to the people that have made it, since having their peers consider their work worthy of an award a great recognition.”, said Simon Ford, Committee Chairman of the 2013 Spirited Awards® Judging Committee.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at TalesoftheCocktail.com for $72.50 for individual tickets or $725.00 per table with 10 seats. The Spirited Awards® are just one part of the exciting 11th Anniversary Tales of the Cocktail® taking place in New Orleans, July 17-21, 2013. Visit TalesoftheCocktail.com to learn more about the many other spirited events.

Please see below for the complete list of nominees according to category.

American Bartender of the Year

Charles Joly The Aviary Chicago, Illinois
Eric Alperin The Varnish Los Angeles, California
Leo Robitschek The NoMad Hotel New York, New York
Sean Kenyon Williams & Graham Denver, Colorado

Best American Brand Ambassador

Elayne Duff Diageo Portfolio
Jamie Gordon Absolut Vodka
Neyah White Yamazaki
Todd Richman Sidney Frank Portfolio

Best American Cocktail Bar

Anvil Houston, Texas
Clover Club Brooklyn, New York
Cure New Orleans, Louisiana
The Hawthorne Boston, Massachusetts

Best Bar Mentor

Bridget Albert Chicago, Illinois
Dushan Zaric Los Angeles, California
Francesco Lafranconi Las Vegas, Nevada
Julie Reiner Brooklyn, New York

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

Gary Regan
Ian Cameron
Paul Clarke
Robert Simonson

Best Cocktail Writing – Publication

Australian Bartender Magazine
Bar Magazine Digital
DiffordsGuide.com
Imbibe Magazine

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

Clover Club Brooklyn, New York
Harvard and Stone Los Angeles, California
Sable Kitchen and Bar Chicago, Illinois
Saxon + Parole Restaurant New York, New York

Best International Brand Ambassador

Claire Smith Belvedere Vodka
Giuseppe Gallo Martini
Ian Burrell Rum Ambassador
Jacob Briars Bacardi Portfolio

Best New Book (Cocktail/Bartending)

Drinks by Tony Conigliaro
The Tequila Ambassador by Tomas Estes
To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene
Vodka Distilled by Tony Abou-Ganim

Best New Product

Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters
Dorothy Parker Gin
Fords Gin
Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao

Best Restaurant Bar

Island Creek Oyster Bar Boston, Massachusetts, USA
No. 9 Park Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Saxon + Parole Restaurant New York, New York, USA
The NoMad Hotel New York, New York, USA

International Bartender of the Year

Hidetsugu Ueno Bar High Five Tokyo, Japan
Jack McGarry The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA
Simone Caporale Artesian Bar at the Langham London, England,UK
Zdenek Kastanek 28 Hong Kong Street Singapore

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

Callooh Callay London, United Kingdom
Candelaria Paris, France
Drink Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The Varnish Los Angeles, California, USA

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
American Bar at the Savoy London, United Kingdom
Pouring Ribbons New York, New York, USA
The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA
The Nightjar London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Drink Selection
canon: whiskey and bitters emporium Seattle, Washington, USA
Mayahuel New York, New York, USA
Saxon + Parole Restaurant New York, New York, USA
The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA

World’s Best Hotel Bar

Clyde Common Portland, Oregon, USA
Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The NoMad Hotel New York, New York, USA
The Zetter Townhouse London, United Kingdom

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

Experimental Cocktail Club New York, New York, USA
Pouring Ribbons New York, New York, USA
The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA
The NoMad Hotel New York, New York, USA

About Tales of the Cocktail®
This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013.

For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

The post Tales of the Cocktail® Announces Top Four Finalists for the 7th Annual Spirited Awards® appeared first on Tales of the Cocktail.

Three former Tales of the Cocktail® apprentices will travel to France to compete in the finals of the chance to be named the world’s best gin bartender.

NEW ORLEANS—May 23, 2013— G’Vine Gin has released the names of the world’s 15 best gin bartenders who have qualified for the finals of the Gin Connoisseur Program (Le GCP), which has been described as “the world’s toughest bartending contest.” Of the 15 world finalists, three are former Tales of the Cocktail® Apprentices, the largest showing of CAPs in any global contest, ever.
“It’s not really a surprise that the type of bartender who volunteers to be a CAP is also the type who would relish the challenge of pitting themselves against the best in the business in a genuinely difficult contest,” said Philip Duff, a regular Tales of the Cocktail® presenter and creator of Le GCP. “Let’s face it, if you can batch on the run in the infamous Juicing Kitchen of the Monteleone, GCP Finals Week Challenges like Make Your Own Gin and the G’Vine Summer Ball hold no fears for you!”

Cari Hah from Cole’s in Los Angeles (2012 Apprentice), Mike Tomasic from The Wild Rover in Sydney (2012 Apprentice) and Meaghan Dorman from Raines Law Room in New York (2010 Apprentice) will travel to the home of G’Vine Gin in the South of France to compete with other mixologists from around the world.
“I’m always so happy to see our former Apprentices go on to become the next star’s of the cocktail industry,” said Ann Tuennerman, Founder of Tales of the Cocktail®. “Really, that’s what the Cocktail Apprentice Program is all about⎯helping all these talented mixologists take the industry by storm.”

In addition to the record-setting number of Tales of the Cocktail® Apprentices, six out of the 15 LeGCP finalists are female bartenders, thought to be the highest proportion of female finalists in a global bar contest ever. Former Apprentice and Le GCP finalist Meaghan Dorman will be inducted into the LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) “Dames Hall of Fame” at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013 for her contributions to the cocktail arts.

“You can now see more and more women behind the bar, expressing their skills and creativity with confidence and without fear of being judged for anything else than their talent,” said Audrey Fort, director of G’Vine Gin’s operations in the USA. “The three previous GCP editions welcomed an increasing array of very talented women. This year there’s almost one chance out of two that the Gin Connoisseur 2013 will be a lady!”

Follow Mike, Cari, Meaghan and the rest of the Le GCP contestants during Finals Week on Twitter (@GVineGins) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/213816035412494/?fref=ts).

About Tales of the Cocktail®
This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013.

For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

About G’Vine
G’Vine Gin is a super premium French gin made from Ugni Blanc grapes and fresh botanicals that include the vineflower. G’Vine is owned by EWG Spirits & Wine, a privately-owned company based in the South of France specializing in luxury hand-crafted spirits inspired by the nobility of the grape. Other brands owned by EWG include L’Esprit de June liqueur (made from three different sorts of vineflower) and Excellia Tequila, made in Mexico in cooperation with Carlos Camarena and aged in both cognac and Sauternes barrels.

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This year Tales of the Cocktail® will welcome back twenty Cocktail Apprentices to work alongside mixology experts at this summer’s festivities.

NEW ORLEANS—May 13, 2013—Tales of the Cocktail® is proud to once again partner with Cointreau® Orange Liqueur for the 6th annual Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP). Twenty past apprentices were selected to once again work alongside the biggest names in mixology during the Tales of the Cocktail® festival July 17-21, 2013. These apprentices were selected on the basis of craft, expertise and experience.

“The Cocktail Apprentice Program is by far one of the most worthwhile opportunities I’ve ever been a part of,” said Alex Renshaw, 2013 returning CAP member. “From the outside, it looks like we are just making drinks for thousands of people, patting each other on the backs and calling it a day. This of course is part of the program but it’s the camaraderie you experience when working with bartenders and mentors from across the world that makes it special. You also get to experience the incredible CAP breakout sessions at the end of every day and you learn how to be a better leader under pressure.”

This group of CAP veterans will work alongside more than 30 rookie apprentices who will be selected in the coming month. These twenty returning apprentices will play a critical role in executing the more than 200 events over the five days of Tales of the Cocktail® by serving as leaders and mentors for the first-time apprentices.

“We are delighted to have such a talented and experienced group of apprentices returning this year,” said Paul G. Tuennerman, Chief Business Officer at Tales of the Cocktail®. “We ask a lot of our apprentice team, so having these twenty CAP veterans alongside the rookie apprentices will help the events run that much smoother.”

The Tales of the Cocktail® Apprentice Program was developed in 2008 to give talented bartenders the opportunity to hone their craft alongside skilled veterans. Working directly with presenters during the highly sought after seminars, the program gives participants an opportunity to work on large scale events while learning first-hand about their craft’s history and it’s new directions. Apprentices continue to expand upon these skills in their home bars and personal work post Tales of the Cocktail®. The team camaraderie and dynamics they learn and foster during this week have also become some of the most valuable tools that Apprentices carry with them. For more information about the Cocktail Apprentice Program as well as the bios for the 2013 returning CAP members, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

2013 Returning Cocktail Apprentice Program

Alex Renshaw
Sable Kitchen and Bar
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Brad Farran
Clover Club
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Bradford Knutson
Swing Wine Bar
Olympia, Washington, USA

Cameron Timmins
Fukuko
Auckland, New Zealand

Charles Veitch III
Seattle, Washington, USA

Ciaran Donal Wiese
Kask
Tucson, Arizona, USA

Connor Mansager
Scott and Co.
Portland, Oregon, USA

David Delaney Jr.
Public House
Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Dean Hurst
Bern’s Steakhouse and SideBern’s Restaurant
Tampa, Florida, USA

Eryn Reece
Death + Company
New York, New York, USA

James Betz
Eleven Madison Park
New York, New York, USA

Jenner Cormier
The Middle Spoon, Noble
Mineville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Joann Spiegel
Mercury Bar
New York, New York, USA

Jonathan Armstrong
The Nomad Restaurant
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Justin Lane Briggs
Gin Palace
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Kimberly Patton-Bragg
Trivoli & Lee
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Maggie Meskey
Salt of the Earth, Havard & Highland
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Mike Tomašić
The Wild Rover
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sabrina Kershaw
Public House, Franklin Restaurant Group
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Taylor Corrigan
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About Tales of the Cocktail®

This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013. For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society:

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

The post Tales of the Cocktail® Announces 2013 Returning Cocktail Apprentices appeared first on Tales of the Cocktail.

NEW ORLEANS—May 21, 2013—Tales of the Cocktail® in partnership with Mutineer Magazine announces the winner and top three finalists of the 2013 Official Cocktail Competition. This year’s cocktail is the Rickey and bartenders from all over the world participated in the competitive Cocktail Competition. The winner is Jacob Grier from Metrovino in Portland, Oregon for his original creation, the “Portland Rickey.”

The Official Cocktail Competition judge, Derek Brown, stated, “Let’s face it, I’m biased and kept rooting for my hometown, Washington, D.C., where I know that some of the best Rickey’s ever made come from. You showed well Washingtonians and I’m so very proud of my city, but I had to give it up to the national and international participants for creating faithful version of the original with their own twists. The creativity and thought that went into the over 200 recipes we received for judging should, perhaps, convene at Congress next time to solve some of the world’s more difficult matters. Good job, one and all.”

The Rickey dates back to the late 1800’s when George A. Williamson, a bartender at Shoomaker’s bar in Washington, D.C., would combine a base spirit with half a lime and sparkling mineral water for a Democratic lobbyist named Colonel Joseph Kyle Rickey. To encourage creativity in reinterpreting this classic drink, the guidelines for the competition were loose. Any base spirit and any type of citrus was allowed and it must be defined by three overarching characteristics: it must be tart, it must have a carbonated element and it must be refreshing.

Grier is the lead bartender at Portland, Oregon’s acclaimed restaurant Metrovino and a co-founder of the beer cocktail event group Brewing Up Cocktails. He edited the 2010 recipe guide Cocktail Collective and is working on a forthcoming book documenting historic and contemporary beer cocktails. He accepts much of the credit and/or blame for popularizing the Bone Luge.

Grier said, “I’ve been attending Tales of the Cocktail® almost every year since I started tending bar and it’s always a fantastic event. Having my cocktail selected as the official drink for 2013 is very exciting and completely unexpected. It was at a Tales seminar in 2008 that I was first introduced to beer cocktails, so it’s fitting that I now get to give one back.”

The judges for the 2013 Official Cocktail competition include Derek Brown, Adam Bernbach and Jeffrey Morgenthaler. Brown travels around the world teaching about great cocktails and spirits, along with why drinking is such an integral part of our culture and values. Bernbach started mixology at a young age and his love for good taste grew with each job he had as teenager to adulthood. In 2010, Proof owner Mark Kuller asked Bernach to also lead the spirits program at his new contemporary Spanish restaurant, Estadio. His cocktail program now complements the restaurant’s contemporary Spanish theme and includes refreshing “Gintonics”, frozen alcoholic “Slushitos,” and inventive takes on Sangria. Morgenthaler is an award-winning bartender, working since 1996 in everything from neighborhood taverns and college nightclubs to fine restaurants and upscale lounges. He currently manages the James Beard Award-nominated bar program at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon.

The top three finalists of the 2013 Official Cocktail Competition:

1. Jacob Grier of Metrovino in Portland, OR, creator of the Portland Rickey
2. Joyce Garrison of W Hotel in Austin, TX, creator of Burro Negro
3. Kremour Maloney of Lime Beach Bar in Charleston, Saint Kitts and Nevis, creator of Rickey’s Passion

See below for the recipe for the Portland Rickey, the official cocktail of the 2013 Tales of the Cocktail® festival:

Glass:

Highball

Recipe:

1 1/2 oz Martin Miller’s Gin

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

1/4 oz Green Chartreuse

4 oz saison or biere de garde style beer

squeezed half of lemon (lemon shell), for garnish

Directions:

Combine the Martin Miller’s Gin, Green Chartreuse, lemon juice, and beer in an ice-filled highball glass. Drop the squeezed half-lemon into the drink. Gently stir.

Garnish:

Squeezed half of lemon, stirred into the drink as a nod to tradition.

Grier will receive $1,250 cash prize and his recipe will be featured throughout Tales of the Cocktail® festival July 17^th-21^st, 2013. The recipe will also be featured in the Tales of the Cocktail® E-book and in Mutineer Magazine and the Mutineer online publication.

The three finalists’ recipes will be available online at TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About Tales of the Cocktail®

This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11^th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013. For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

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The post Tales of the Cocktail® Announces Winner of 2013 Official Cocktail Competition appeared first on Tales of the Cocktail.

NEW ORLEANS – May 17, 2013 – Following a rigorous evaluation of hundreds of nominees, ten finalists for each award category have been chosen for the 7th Annual Spirited Awards®, recognizing the year’s best bars, bartenders, writers, experts and more. American and International judging committees comprised of the most respected minds in the cocktail industry selected the finalists for the eighteen award categories. Winners will be announced at the Spirited Awards® taking place at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans on Saturday, July 20, 2013 as part of the Tales of the Cocktail® 11th anniversary celebration.

“Clearly the Nominees for the 2013 Spirited Awards represent the best of the best, in our industry.  Regardless of who the ultimate winner is, being recognized by one’s peers, above all, is simply put, an honor in its own right.” said Paul G. Tuennerman, Co-Founder of Tales of the Cocktail®.

Through its annual Spirited Awards®, Tales of the Cocktail® recognizes those that continue to represent the cocktail industry in exciting new spotlights. To embody the ideals in which Tales of the Cocktail® was originally founded, these awards were developed to recognize both national and international honorees across eighteen categories. From these top ten, the top four finalists from each category will be invited to attend the awards ceremony. The top four finalists will be announced Friday, June 7, 2013 and invited to be guests at the live ceremony in New Orleans.   Each award recipient will receive an exclusive Riedel Crystal trophy.

We are proud to announce that our sponsors including, Bacardi USA, BarSmarts, Becherovka, Beverage Media Group, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Imbibe Magazine, Olmeca Altos, Tanqueray Gin and William Grant & Sons.

Tickets to the Spirited Awards® ceremony can be purchased online at TalesoftheCocktail.com for $72.50 for individual tickets or $725.00 per table with 10 seats. The Spirited Awards® are just one part of the exciting 11th Anniversary Tales of the Cocktail® taking place in New Orleans, July 17-21, 2013. Visit TalesoftheCocktail.com to learn more about the many other spirited events.

Please see below for the complete list of nominees according to category.

American Bartender of the Year

• Charles Joly-The Aviary-Chicago, Illinois
• Eric Alperin-The Varnish-Los Angeles, California
• Erick Castro-Polite Provisions-San Diego, California
• Ivy Mix-Clover Club-Brooklyn, New York
• Jack McGarry- The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York
• John Lermayer-Regent Cocktail Club-Miami, Florida
• Leo Robitschek-The NoMad Hotel-New York, New York
• Naren Young-Saxon + Parole, The Daily-New York, New York
• Sean Kenyon-Williams & Graham-Denver, Colorado
• Steve Schneider-Employees Only-New York, New York

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Amanda Boccato- Lillet
• Diego Loret de Mola-Barsol Pisco
• Elayne Duff-Diageo Portfolio
• Gardner Dunn-Yamazaki
• Gaston Martinez-Milagro Tequila
• Jackie Patterson-Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
• Jamie Gordon-Absolut Vodka
• Neyah White-Yamazaki
• Nick van Tiel-Beefeater Gin and Plymouth Gin
• Todd Richman- Sidney Frank Portfolio

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Anvil-Houston, Texas
• Booker and Dax-New York, New York
• canon: whiskey and bitters emporium- Seattle, Washington
• Clover Club-Brooklyn, New York
• Cure-New Orleans, Louisiana
• Prizefighter-Emeryville, California
• The Barrelhouse Flat-Chicago, Illinois
• The Broken Shaker-Miami, Florida
• The Hawthorne-Boston, Massachusetts
• William & Graham-Denver, Colorado

Best Bar Mentor

• Bridget Albert-Chicago, Illinois
• Charlotte Voisey- New York, New York
• Dushan Zaric-Los Angeles, California
• Francesco Lafranconi-Las Vegas, Nevada
• Jackson Cannon-Boston, Massachusetts
• Jason Crawley-Sydney, Australia
• Julie Reiner-Brooklyn, New York
• Julio Bermejo-San Francisco, California
• Sven Almenning-Sydney, Australia
• Wayne Collins-London, United Kingdom

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

• Dan Priseman
• Derek Brown
• Gary Regan
• Geoff Kleinman
• Ian Cameron
• Jenny Adams
• Naren Young
• Paul Clarke
• Philip Duff
• Robert Simonson

Best Cocktail Writing – Publication

• Australian Bartender Magazine
• Bar Magazine Digital
• BarChick
• Barlife UK
• DiffordsGuide.com
• Find. Eat. Drink.
• Imbibe Magazine
• Sauce Magazine
• ShakeStir.com
• The Cocktail Lovers Magazine

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Clover Club-Brooklyn, New York
• Flatiron Lounge-New York, New York
• Harvard and Stone-Los Angeles, California
• Macao Trading Co.-New York, New York
• Polite Provisions-San Diego, California
• Sable Kitchen and Bar-Chicago, Illinois
• Saxon + Parole Restaurant-New York, New York
• The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York
• The NoMad Hotel-New York, New York
• Vesper Bar-Las Vegas, Nevada

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Claire Smith-Belvedere Vodka
• Colin Asare-Appiah-Bacardi Portfolio
• David Cordoba-Bacardi Portfolio
• Dean Monkey Callan-Monkey Shoulder Whisky
• Giuseppe Gallo-Martini
• Ian Burrell-Rum Ambassador
• Jacob Briars-Bacardi Portfolio
• Max Warner-Chivas Regal
• Raj Nagra-Bombay Gins
• Stephen Myers-Ilegal Mezcal

Best New Book (Cocktail/Bartending)

• 1806 Cocktails:  World History as Seen Through the Bottom of a Glass by Nick Reed
• Craft Cocktails by Brian Van Flandern
• Diffordsguide Gin book by DiffordsGuide.com
• Drinks by Tony Conigliaro
• Edible Cocktails:  Garden to Glass by Natalie Bovis
• Gin:  A Global History by Lesley Jacobs Solmonson
• Sanctuaria, The Dive Bar of Cocktails by Matt Seiter
• The Tequila Ambassador by Tomas Estes
• To Have and Have Another:  A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene
• Vodka Distilled by Tony Abou-Ganim

Best New Product

• Bartender’s Choice iPhone App
• Cana Brava Rum
• Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters
• Dorothy Parker Gin
• Filthy Black Cherry
• Fords Gin
• H by Hine VSOP
• Imbue Petal and Thorn
• Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• Tequila Cabeza

Best Restaurant Bar

• Gwynnett St-Brooklyn, New York, USA
• Imperial by Chef Vitaly Paley-Portland, Oregon, USA
• Island Creek Oyster Bar-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen- San Francisco, California, USA
• No. 9 Park-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Oak at fourteenth-Boulder, Colorado, USA
• Oven & Shaker-Portland, Oregon, USA
• Saxon + Parole Restaurant-New York, New York, USA
• The NoMad Hotel-New York, New York, USA
• The Roosevelt-Sydney, Australia

International Bartender of the Year

• Andrea Montague-Callooh Callay-London, United Kingdom
• Carina Soto Velasquez-Candelaria-Paris, France
• Hidetsugu Ueno-Bar High Five- Tokyo, Japan
• Jack McGarry-The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York, USA
• Jamie Bourdreau-cannon:  whiskey and bitter-Seattle, Washington, USA
• Marian Beke-The Nightjar-London, United Kingdom
• Misty Kalkofen-Brick & Mortar-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Naren Young- Saxon + Parole, The Daily-New York, New York, USA
• Simone Caporale-Artesian Bar at the Langham-London, United Kingdom
• Zdenek Kastanek-28 Hong Kong Street- Singapore

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• 28 Hong Kong Street-Singapore
• Black Pearl-Melbourne, Australia
• Callooh Callay-London, United Kingdom
• Candelaria-Paris, France
• Clover Club-New York, New York, USA
• Death and Co.-New York, New York, USA
• Drink-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Milk and Honey-New York, New York, USA
• The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York, USA
• The Varnish-Los Angeles, California, USA

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• 28 Hong Kong Street-Singapore
• 69 Colebrooke Row-London, United Kingdom
• American Bar at the Savoy-London, United Kingdom
• Black Pearl-Melbourne, Australia
• cannon:  whiskey and bitters emporium-Seattle, Washington, USA
• Clover Club-Brooklyn, New York, USA
• Pouring Ribbons-New York, New York, USA
• The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York, USA
• The Hawthorne-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• The Nightjar-London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Drink Selection

• cannon:  whiskey and bitters emporium-Seattle, Washington, USA
• Cure-New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• DaddyO-New York, New York, USA
• Eau de Vie-Melbourne, Australia, USA
• Mayahuel-New York, New York, USA
• Saxon + Parole Restaurant-New York, New York, USA
• Seven Grand-Los Angeles, California, USA
• The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York, USA
• The Hawthorne-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Whistling Shop-London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Hotel Bar

• Beaufort Bar at the Savoy-London, United Kingdom
• Black Angels Bar-Prague, Czech Republic
• Clyde Common-Portland, Oregon, USA
• Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks-Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Regent Cocktail Club-Miami, Florida, USA
• Sable Kitchen and Bar-Chicago, Illinois, USA
• The NoMad Hotel-New York, New York, USA
• The Zetter Townhouse-London, United Kingdom
• Vesper Bar-Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Widder Bar-Zurich, Switzerland

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• Bar Le Coq-Paris, France
• Broken Shaker-Miami, Florida, USA
• Bulletin Place-Sydney, Australia
• Experimental Cocktail Club-New York, New York, USA
• Polite Provisions-San Diego, California, USA
• Pouring Ribbons-New York, New York, USA
• The Dead Rabbit-New York, New York, USA
• The NoMad Hotel-New York, New York, USA
• Trick Dog-San Francisco, California, USA

About Tales of the Cocktail®

This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11^th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013. 

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

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The post Tales of the Cocktail® Announces Top 10 Finalists for the 2013 Spirited Awards® appeared first on Tales of the Cocktail.

NEW ORLEANS—May 17, 2013—The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is proud to announce the 2013 Sazerac® Seal of Approval honorees. This program honors establishments that keep it classy, adhering to the traditional recipe of the official cocktail of the city of New Orleans, the Sazerac®.

“Speaking from personal experience, the well-crafted Sazerac® seems to be an elusive Cocktail.  It’s great to be able to recognize this group for their success in producing the Original Cocktail,” said Paul G. Tuennerman, Co-Founder, Tales of the Cocktail®.

The Seal of the Sazerac® will be presented at Toast to Tales, the Tales of the Cocktail® kick off event, on Wednesday, July 17^th at 2:00 p.m. on the front steps of the Hotel Monteleone. This event pays respect to the bars that consistently make the most expertly crafted Sazeracs® the world has to offer. This summer, Tales of the Cocktail will be held July 17^th through the 21^st in New Orleans, LA.

The 2013 Seal of the Sazerac® recipients are:

• Cane and Table, 1113 Decatur Street
• Cocktail Bar at Windsor Court, 300 Gravier Street
• Galatoire’s 33, 215 Bourbon Street
• Kingfish Restaurant, 337 Chartres Street
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 525 Fulton Street
• Twelve Mile Limit, 500 South Telemachus Street

Fans from all over continue to nominate their favorite places to have a Sazerac® in New Orleans. NOCCPS has an expert team, the “Sazerac® Secret Sippers,” who inconspicuously evaluate each nominated bar’s Sazerac® on its ingredients, taste and presentation. The team has sampled countless Sazeracs® and visits worthy locations three times to ensure the establishments being recognized are consistent. The Secret Sippers will continue to sip for their due diligence for the Sazerac® to determine other establishments that are worthy of being honored in the future.

For more information about the Sazerac® Seal of Approval program, please contact Ann Tuennerman at Ann@TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About Tales of the Cocktail®

This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world’s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more. We guarantee you won’t leave thirsty at the 11^th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, July 17-21, 2013. For more information about drinking it in with us this summer, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the Apprentice Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.

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The post New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society Honors Recipients of the Seal Of the Sazerac® Winners appeared first on Tales of the Cocktail.