This year’s Tales of the Cocktail started off right! Yesterday was the first day, and we just had to share some highlights of our favorite experiences so far.
Before “Day 1” of Tales officially started, Grey Goose welcomed us to New Orleans with a party at Latrobe’s in the heart of the French Quarter the evening before. Our favorite concoction of the night was a watermelon and basil cocktail (the only thing we liked better was the FRIED OYSTERS!).
Bols Genever took to the streets to kick off the week with the world’s largest genever slurp. Part of the fun was a “Kopstootje,” which is Dutch for “little headbutt” or a shot of genever with beer.
Of course, for street drinking, that wasn’t the only choice. Leblon is trucking around making Caipirihnas for thirsty people.
In case you didn’t know: It’s hot in New Orleans in July! So after a long day of drinking and general merriment, it’s time for more drinking and merriment … only this time at the Hotel Monteleone’s rooftop pool at a party hosted by Brugal Rum.
Once day turned to night, Beefeater hosted a fantastic masquerade ball … complete with a ballerina inside a ball.
The unusual entertainment at the masquerade ball also included a string quartet in (possibly powdered?) wigs.
The highlight of the first day had to be the William Grant & Sons “Shore Leave” party at the World War II museum, with an Andrew-Sisters-like singing group, cocktails from every port, snacks and a crowd dressed to theme.
As a museum, the venue offered a lot of interesting sights not usually a part of your typical evening out (like, let’s say, a plane).
The official drink of all of Tales is the oh-so-delightful Ramos Gin Fizz. Hendrick’s Gin was mixing up fresh ones outside. Perhaps they were fresher than expected, since there was a cow on hand that several people were milking.
