29 Jul Day 3 at Tales of the Cocktail 2012

Unfortunately, we were awoken by the sound of the jackhammer outside on the street this morning starting before 8am.  This was not a welcome sound when bed time was at 4am.  Pillows over our heads, we tried to ignore it until we had to get up.  Even tougher to get up this morning (our feet still hurt from all the walking yesterday), we managed to get out and head over to the Monteleone. 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM – “Brunch with an Italian Twist” The Spirit of Italy team was back for breakfast.  The Italian bartenders were dressed in the finest white suits making more cocktails with the Italian artisanal liquors, digestives and grappas produced by Luxardo, Amaro Lucano, Distillerie Moccia, Distillerie Nardini, Pallini, Toschi and Varnelli. Cocktails included a Bourbon Milk Punch enhanced with Amaro Lucano, a Strawberry Ramos Fizz with Fragolí by Toschi, a New Orleans Chicory Coffee Shakerato with Zabov egg yolk-chocolate liqueur, Varnelli Anice with Clamato juice and cucumber-dill foam, a fresh-squeezed citrus Mimosa spiked with Nardini Grappa, a Luxardo Maraschino Cobbler and a Pallini Limoncello Champagne Cocktail. 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM – Come Aboard for Cocktails and Lunch with Carnival Cruise Lines We grabbed a coffee on our way out of the hotel (a much needed cup!) and hopped onto a shuttle that took a group of media to the port so that we could board the Carnival Elation to learn about Carnival’s new focus on mixology. Carnival Cruise services over 4.4 million passengers on 24 ships and 1500 voyages each year.  The idea is Fun!  And, with refurbishments taking place, they are launching the new “Fun Ship 2.0”. The ships will feature a series of bars, such as the: Alchemy Bar – featuring handcrafted fresh classic cocktails created by 2012 Bacardi Bartender of the Year Adri Ford Red Frog Pub – where Key West meets the Caribbean, offering a selection of beers, including the exclusive Thirsty Frog Red Amber Ale The Dueling Bars – Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Tequila Bar – pick your favorite spirit Fahrenheit 555 – a contemporary steak house with a classic cocktail bar hidden in the back Piano Bar 88 – a classic piano bar EA Sports Bar – for the sports fanatics Library Bar – a quiet place where one can relax among classic cocktails or with a glass of wine from the enomatic bar 1:30 PM – We returned from the ship and enjoyed a bottle of refreshing and rehydrating watermelon water from the Purity Vodka cart 2:30 PM – Purity Vodka Tasting Room Fun times!  We got to create our own rapid infusion with Purity Vodka, under the guidance of Purity Vodka Master Blender Thomas Kuuttanen, Brand Ambassador John Pomeroy and CEO Andrew Glaser.   With the ISI Rapid Infusor, we put our ingredients in, poured the Purity Vodka on top, closed the container, added a cartridge, shook the canister and waited 3 minutes.   And Voile!  We had infused the flavors!  Our creations were Watermelon, Basil and Jalapeno and Salami, Fennel and Peppercorns. 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM – PIG & PUNCH-Presented by The Bon Vivants The 3rd Annual Pig & Punch retuned! Open to everyone, this event is about the celebration of friendships while raising money for a good cause.  Live music, roasted pig, punch and more! All the money raised through tshirt sales is donated back to the local charity that a massive group of bartenders volunteered their time at earlier in the week. It’s amazing to see the bartending community unite to help others but to do it as bartenders do…..while drinking and having fun and enjoying friends.   5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Cocktails at Victory Bar   After a relaxing afternoon in the park, we headed to Victory Bar to check out this local bar. We met owner Daniel Victory four years ago at our first Tales. At that time, we was a bartender at the Ritz Carlton and has since opened his own bar. Last year we tried to stop by during the week but didn’t make it.  So, this time, we made a point! Victory Bar is an inviting, casual lounge.  They are making creative, fresh cocktails, but without pretense.   Following our visit to Victory Bar, we headed back to the French Quarter to find somewhere to eat.  We happened upon a tiny little restaurant called Louisiana Bistro….and what a find!  We chose the chef’s Feed Me! option and had 4 of the most incredible dishes.  I will share more about this meal later. After a very filling dinner, it was time for a final drink(s) of the night so we went to the historical French 75 Bar and had……yes, a French 75. A perfect end to a lovely day.