I’ll confess, until I started hanging with Mr. & Mrs. Cocktail (Ann & Paul Tuennerman) last year (we do back to back radio shows), my alcohol repertoire consisted of beer being “cold” or “really cold.” They have opened my eyes to a whole new world and I am embracing it…one drink at a time. I never stopped to enjoy a cocktail that was made with love before! The purpose of this post is to tell you some tidbits of info and convince you that YOU need to attend Tales of the Cocktail next year. This was my first year in attendance and there is no doubt I’ll be attending next year! Hubby and I booked 2 nights in a hotel and next year I’m shooting for more! Oh…and don’t miss my other Tales post!

Q: What is Tales of the Cocktail?
A: According to the site’s definition:

Tales is The event brings together the best and brightest of the cocktail community—award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders and chefs—for a five-day celebration of the history and the craft of the cocktail. This year, the most spirited event of the summer invites everyone to “Stir Your Soul” with a spirited series of dinners, cocktail demos, tastings, competitions, seminars, book signings, tours and special events all perfectly paired with some of the best cocktails ever made.

My definition:

” Tales is a conference based around alcohol where you can learn and have fun at the same time. You can go to seminars, competitions, tastings, meet cocktail enthusiasts and it is a great excuse to come to New Orleans if you are from out of town or explore your own backyard if you are local. There is something for everyone at Tales. Every event is done so well and with such detail, you will leave wanting to come back again and again!”

Q: Is Tales for me?
A: Tales is for everyone who is comfortable being around alcohol. It is for Ida and Kramer, a couple in their 70’s from Little Rock, AK who like to prepare a finely crafted drink twice a week in the comfort of their own home. Tales is for the bar chef who prepares cocktails for a living, for someone who wants to try new drinks, alcohol distributors trying to promote their product, and the person who needs an excuse to head to New Orleans for 5 days of fun and learning.

Q: What is the one tidbit of advice that everyone should know?
A: Sign up for events EARLY! Many of the events will be SOLD OUT! Something looks good – sign up!!!

Q: What should I know if I’m coming from out of town?
A: Buy your packages and sign up for events early.

Q: I live in or around NOLA, how can I participate?
A: You can pay to go to one of the special events or you can even show up and participate in some of the free tastings and hang at the Carousel Bar. You are bound to meet all types of interesting people. This year I attended a competition on Friday night where we walked around and judged cocktails for ourselves and also the Saturday night major event which was amazing! I wish we were able to attend some of the spirited dinners, we will make a point to do that next year.

Q: What was all the Twitter # stuff?
A: Don’t worry about it if you don’t Twitter. But if you want to see what went on this year, head to Hashtags.org and type in #totc09 You can also check out the Tales blog.

Q: Do I have to wait until next year to attend anything put on by Tales?
A: Most certainly not! There are events throughout the year.

Q: How do I find out the information for next year’s Tales?
A: Subscribe to the newsletter at the top of the page of Tales.