By Rebecca Harris
The annual global festival that pays homage to the cocktail officially begins today (Jul 21).
Held in New Orleans, the Tales of the Cocktail festival brings together some of the world’s finest bartenders and cocktail aficionados for five days of seminars, dinners, parties and general networking.
Now in its eighth year, the festival has become somewhat of a pilgrimage for bartenders and fans of the cocktail in general.
In addition, the Spirited Awards, held on Saturday (Jul 24), recognise some of the top performing bars, bartenders and products.
The Australian bar scene performed well in 2008, with Melbourne bar 1806 taking out the coveted Best Cocktail List in the World award.
This year, honorary Australian Jacob Briars, from New Zealand brand 42 Below vodka, is up for the Best International Brand Ambassador award.
He will also be hosting a series of seminars, including ‘A Shot of Black Stuff – Amazing Amaros and Brilliant Bitters’ tomorrow (Jul 22), along with 1806 bar owner, Sebastian Reaburn.
New Orleans is also home to the Museum of the American Cocktail.