Tales to Tell…

Jun 22, 2011 by

A Bout de Souffle

Tales of the Cocktail is nigh upon us and it promises to be another non-stop event where the liquor flows freely and the hangover takes a week off. (Or rather, bides its time for a few days, calls over a few of its friends, and then gangs up on you all at once.) Last year’s Tales was a resounding success from start to finish with few disappointments and as HC’s resident functional alcoholic, (well, one of them, anyway,) I thought I’d prime your pumps and hip you to some of the Must-Do events on the schedule. Up first: The Grey Goose event!

While Tales doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday, July 20th, Grey Goose likes to get things started off with a bang a day early. Last year, Goose opened Tales with an incredibly hip tasting party at Latrobe’s On Royal, which, at times, strained to hold the number of attendees. Goddard’s A Bout de Souffle was silently shone on the ceiling of the main room while Ronald Jones and his band provided blues and jass for the crowd, evoking a wistful Parisian street motif. The tasting showcased Grey Goose flavored vodkas served from four satellite bars and their ‘Beyond the Bar’ series of documentary shorts featuring some of the world’s top bartenders. (‘Beyond the Bar’ is the bumper sponsor of GG’s Sundance Channel series Iconoclasts.) This is what drinking is supposed to be. Casual conversation and stolen glances among the glitterati until your liver kicks into gear and the Mugwumps begin to creep into your peripheral vision.

Eric TecoskyThis year, Grey Goose again fires the opening salvo of Tales, again at Latrobe’s, with an evening entitled, “Inspire”. In addition, they’ve partnered with the United States Bartending Guild to host a four day search (Wed-Sat definitely at Le Foret, 129 Camp Street,10-4:30) for “members of the bartending community with a passion for the craft and intriguing life stories.” So if you know any good bartenders –and who among us doesn’t…– let them know that this is one event they may want to sink their teeth into! I don’t know if you need to be a USBG member to audition, but if so I’m almost certain there will be someone in attendance who can assist with that.

Last years shining jewel was Nick Mautone’s La Poire Tuscan Pear:

La Poire Tuscan Pear 1 part Grey Goose La Poire Flavored Vodka
1/2 part limoncello
1/2 part premium ginger liqueur
3/4 part blood orange juice
1/4 part simple syrup

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain into a rocks glass rimmed with sugar and filled with crushed ice. Present with mint leaves, dried pears or lemon confit.

I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of un-naturally flavored spirits –if I want pear in my vodka, I’ll squeeze pear in my vodka– but this one brought me back to Nick’s station more than twice and considering there were seven other featured offerings I was pretty well oiled by the end of the evening! I’m amazed that these shots were even in focus! Ah, the things I put my aging body through for the public benefit…! But, I digress!

While the entire event flowed seamlessly from room to room, Grey Goose put months of work into its planning and it paid off handsomely! If you haven’t ordered your Tales of the Cocktail tickets yet, there’s still time, but hurry… some events are selling out quick and this is one you won’t want to miss!

For more shots from last years Tales, click here!

Related Posts

Tags

Share This