28 Jul Day 2 at Tales of the Cocktail 2012

Getting up for Day 2 was a bit difficult.  Not because of too much imbibing but rather the short amount of hours sleeping after a long day.  But, we managed to get up and out by 9:30am. 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM – Breakfast: Fernet Branca Style with Count Niccolo Branca Fernet Branca is every bartenders favorite eye opener so it was the perfect spirit to start the day. Hosted by Count Niccoló Branca, we enjoyed 3 truly delicous cocktails made with Fernet: Eva Peron (Carpani Antica Formula, Fernet Branca, Domaine de Canton, Premium Ginger Beer and Lime) Charlotte’s Web (a Fernet Milkshake made with Hendricks Gin, Brancamenta, Cafe Sambuca, Monin Vanilla Syrup, Half & Half, Angostura Aromatic Bitters, garnished with Cafe Borghetti Handwhipped Cream) Death’s Wish (Death’s Door Gin, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Pun E Mes Aperitivo, Fresh Lemon Juice, Egg White, Sparking Asti)   11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Mandarine Napoléon’s Tour de NOLA, Various Locations We accepted the challege to take a journey through New Orleans and visit 3 locations that were serving special Mandarine Napoléon experiences while capturing photos.

Stop 1: Napoléon House – Taste the all-new Café Napoléon iced coffee cocktail.

Stop 2: La Divina Gelateria – Taste Mandarine Napoléon artistically blended into a specially crafted gelato flavor (Spicy Watermelon infused with Mandarine Napoléon).

Stop 3: SAVEUR Snack Stand – Experience the perfect pairing of a Mandarine Napoléon-infused orange marmalade with a chocolate croissant alongside the Mandarine Napoléon iced coffee cocktail.

As you can see from the photos, we had a theme going and alot of fun! 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM – “Taste of Italy” Media Luncheon The “Taste of Italy” luncheon was hosted by The Spirit Of Italy’s founding members and producers.  Led by Francesco Lafranconi and his team of Italian mixologists, we enjoyed specialty drinks using spirits from the seven TSOI producers – Amaro Lucano, Distillerie Moccia, Distillerie Nardini, Luxardo, Pallini, Toschi and Varnelli. Representing multiple generations of master distillers and liqueur makers, they produce a wide array of liqueurs, spirits and digestives that are considered some of Italy’s finest.  Their embodiment of quality extends from the ingredient selection to the centuries-old recipes used and the great Italian sense of design that enlivens their labels and advertising.   Following lunch, the afternoon was spent with meetings and socializing.  A quick change in the hotel and we went out to dinner at SoBou, the newest member of the Commander’s Family of Restaurants group. SoBou is located in the W Hotel in the French Quarter.  It is a modern, sleek design, decorated by apothocary bottles.  The bar, under Bar Chefs Lu Brow & Abigail Gullo and the food by Chefs Juan Carlos Gonzales & Tory McPhail are made with fresh, local ingredents.    After two long days, it was nice to sit and relax during a long meal.  We contemplated attending some of the parties but between the anticipated crowds and our exhaustion, we decided to explore the French Quarter’s bar scene. St Lawrence is a brand new bar that opened within the last month.  Featuring craft cocktails, they also have a slushy machine.  These were not your ordinary Bourbon Street Slushies.  These were high end specialty slushies: Mississippi Blueberry, Basil and Gin or Picatune Peach Vodka and Champagne Bellini. We enjoyed a Blueberry slushy, The Saint Lawrence (Tito’s Vodka, St. Germaine, Passion Fruit, Chapagne) and an Afternoon Epiphany (Bombay Gin, Champagne, Blood Orange Liquor).      From St Lawrence, we walked to Sylvain where we enjoyed a Tennis Table (made with Pimm’s), a Sazerac and a bartender’s choice (we got a cocktail made with white vermouth, gin and herbsaint).   Afterwards, we wandered through the crowds on Bourbon Street and headed to the Hotel Monteleone for a final drink, enjoying some New Orleans classics (French 75 and Ramos Gin Fizz).   That completes Day 2 of Tales of the Cocktail 2012. Time to get ready for Day 3!