"Tales of the Cocktail" festival, New Orleans(NOLA)

DAY 1:



(7/9/09) I arrived at the New Orleans(MSY) airport @2pm with an airplane full of mixologist discussing/sharing stories about molecules and such wonderous mixology. I even heard the other people speaking about how excited they were about experiencing this major event just as a novice (Yes, I thought this festival was for the industry insider's only)!



Upon my departure from the MSY and my drive to the W hotel(Poydras street), I felt an air of southeren pleasantries and humid delight. I started getting excited as we drew nearer to the W! As a virgin to this here Tales, I knew it was going to be something special!



At the arrival of the W, my lovely GM (Adriana Daci )greeted me in the lobby, we raced upstairs and ordered food for the pool, and then we ascended to the "WET" pool.....YyeeEssSSsss!! The water was luke warm and the server(Andrew) was delightfully funny and relaxed as a cucumber.



Evening: It was now time to walk down to the French Quarters. The Presbytere(Louisiana State Museum) held the cocktail "carnival" happy hour. I think every bartender participating in the Tales had a mini bar table set-up. They served the best cocktails of thier represented liquor brand.



Everyone from Bombay to St.Germain had a special spirit to offer and I felt like I was in my version of DisneyLand! I think I might of sampled enough libations for 2 people! It was then time to exit the building!!





Later on.... off to socialize with our spirited Tales asscociates. 1st stop: Old Absinthe House (bourbon street), which is one of the main social scenes of the Tales. Everyone had a great time and the festivities in the street from the natives created an authentic NOLA vibe.

2nd stop:D.B.A. (Frenchman street) Ray Deter's sequel from his NYC's D.B.A.(1st ave). Yes, i did end up sitting next to him at the bar, which we had a great conversation along with his welcome to the Tales and NOLA.



Late-late-later on...... at this point, we had a large entourage combing the beautiful quarters, and as the sun was rising, it was time to head back to the W.



NIGHT CAP: NOLA-what an amazing city! Tales-round 1 is under my belt and what a delight it has been!!

Carmen Operetta's favorite Bull Dog gin cocktails

In the mood for a morning/digestive cocktail?

Bull Dogaffiene
Equal parts of 1 1/2 oz. each:
BullDog gin
Kahlua(any coffee liqueur
Half and half cream
-add all items in a shaker full of ice (shake)and pour into a martini glass.
-garnish with 3 espresso/coffee beans

London BullDog
3oz. Bulldog gin
1/2 teaspoon Maraschino liqueur
3-6 dashes orange bitters
1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
-add all items in a shaker full of ice(shake) and pour into a martini glass.
-garnish with an orange twist/slice/ or wedge

BullDog Collins
3oz. BullDog gin
1oz. FRESH lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
6-8 mint leaves/ 3-4 beautiful looking mint springs
*Perrier/*Pellegrino(sparkling water)
-add gin, lemon juice, and sugar into a rock glass.
-Put in the mint leaves and muddle.
-Add ice and stir gently.
-top off with sparkling water.
-garnish with a lemon twist and mint springs

SakeDog
5oz. BullDog gin
3oz. Sake
-add items into a shaker full with ice and shake.
-pour into a martini glass.
-garnish with a lemon twist.

BullDog-tini
8oz. BullDog gin
-add gin into a shaker glass full of ice shake.
-pour into a martini glass.
-garnish a twist or olives.

**This method can also be poured into a rock glass over ice or neat**

*Happy Drinking(safely)*

Weekly cocktail Recipe's

Espressotine

2 oz. Espresso
1 1/2 oz. Brandy
1/4 oz. Grand Marnier
1/2 oz. Benedictine
splash of simple syrup
splash Bailey's



Procedure: Shake all items with ice in a shaker.
Prep: Chilled martini glass
Garnish: Orange twist OR 3 espresso beans

3 more to indulge!

Aperolini :
1 1/2 oz. Citrus Vodka
1/2 oz. Lemon juice
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
3/4 oz. Aperol

Procedure:Shake all ingredients togther in a shaker with ice.
Prep: Chilled martini glass
Garnish: Lemon twist

The Dry Can :
1 oz. Canton ginger liquor
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz. Campari
3/4 oz. Orange juice

Procedure: Shake all ingredients together with ice in a shaker.
Prep: Rock glass filled with ice(crushed if possible)
Garnish: Orange wheel
*This libation can also be served neat.


Eladio's No.3 :
2 oz. Boodle's gin
3/4 oz. Lemon juice
1/2 oz. Simple syrup
6-8 Mint leaves
Sparkling water(Perrier/Pellegrino)

Prcedure: Put the mint leaves, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
Shake for 20 seconds. Add Boodle's gin and shake again for another 20 seconds.
Pour into a rock glass filled with crushed ice.
Prep: Rock glass filled with crushed ice.
Garnish: 2-3 Mint springs

ENJOY!

Credits:
Eladio Huitzil recipe's (Hudson Bar and Books-bartender)

Cigar Info.

The Martinez brothers hand roll: Churchills, Coronas, Torpedos, Maduros, and several more at thier factory. These cigars can fit any cigar lover's standard. They come in mild/medium to full bodied and can be paired with several wines, ports, and single malts.

Libation Pairings:

Ruby/Tawny ports

• Raina Santa (ruby)
• Churchill (LBV) Late Bottle Vintage (tawny)

Dessert wines

• Sauternes,2005, Chateau Saint-Michel
• Muscat De Beaumes De Venise, Domaine De Durban

Red wines

• St. Emillion, Grand Cru, 2002, Chateau Rocheyron, Bordeaux, France
• Rioja, 2006, Amagre, Spain

The Martinez brothers

http://www.martinezcigars.comHand rollers from the Dominican Republic that have their own factory right here in NYC!

171 W.29th st. NYC 212.239.4049

legal update.....

Paperwork is going smoothe and hopefully the taping/publishing of the show will re-start within @2 weeks! Thank you for your patience and PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK!!!
In the meanwhile, please follow me on this blog by adding yourselves on the followers list. It is located on the lower right side of this page.

Thank you for the support,
Carmen Operetta

Show on pause!

The show will be published ASAP! My legal team has stopped the publishing until all clearances are completed! I'm working as fast as I can folks!

Carmen Operetta