Jul12

Tales of the Cocktail

Kaiser Penguin goes to Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans - a skyview is in the background

Let the intense blogging begin.

Having finished up a delightful pisco sour at a local Peruvian restaurant, I thought it was time to get the blog rolling for Tales of the Cocktail, which begins this coming Wednesday. Last time this year, I was sitting in central Pennsylvania among cows and Amish, wondering what pimento dram tasted like and only dreaming of the lures of real absinthe. I had no idea what was in store. Would I get to sample a near endless stream of new cocktails and exotic ingredients? When would I get lost in a sea of booze and how would I make it back alive? And probably most importantly, what would all those crazy cocktail people I had met on the internet be like in person?

Let’s start and end with that last question, as I want to put this right out there for those of you coming to Tales for the first time. You will be welcomed like a king or queen by all of us. Honest, everyone is really that nice. I still remember my first year meeting Jeff Berry. Within minutes he was introducing me… yes me, to various cocktail experts and personalities. It was unexpected and such generosity proved to be the rule in New Orleans.

Things I’m Excited About

  • Spending time with all the good folks from last year who never ceased to impress me with their kindness, easy-going nature, and crazy love for all things cocktail
  • Meeting the plethora of drink lovers and bloggers that I’ve been in contact with this past year
  • Mixing up drinks with Craig and Blair for the Bum’s Lost Caribbean Cocktails panel
  • A 2am tasting session with Eric Seed and his “medicine bag” filled with new concoctions that are on the way from Haus Alpenz.
  • Live-blogging the whole experience (well, at least between sips)
  • Judging way more rums than I’ve ever consumed in a two day period with a slew of rum masters.

And as always, I’ll try to leave you smothered with drink recipes so that you can wash away your sorrow for not attending this year. :)

Pisco Sour

  • 2oz pisco
  • 1oz lemon juice
  • 2t simple syrup
  • 1/2 egg white
  • 4 drops Angostura bitters

Shake all but the bitters with ice until your hands are frozen and, ideally, stuck to the shaker. Strain into your glass of choice. Mine was donated to a tall, thin wineglass. Dribble the Angostura on top like little dancing fairies.

KP Questions

  1. Who out there isn’t making it tales this year? Because if there’s no one, I’m let off the hook for blogging, right?
  2. For those of you gearing up for next week, what are you most excited about?

8 Responses to “Tales of the Cocktail”

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8 Comments to “ Tales of the Cocktail”
  1. Hello.
    Sad to say that I can not make it this year. I had one hell of a good time last year. Made lots of new friends. Learned a lot. Drank a lot, a sip here, a taste there, 768 times in one day. It adds up.
    I wish I could be there but I cant. Do you know if you or one of your fellow blogger’s will be blogging this event of not.
    Designing Smarter Bars (4:30 pm to 6:00 pm)
    $50.00 Per Person
    Presented by Rowan’s Creek
    Moderator: Tobin Ellis
    Panelists: Dave Commer and Phil Raimondo
    Bartenders workstations are often planned by everybody but them including architects, chefs, interior designers, and general contractors. Many bars are poorly conceived and built. Join Tobin and his panel find out the nuts and bolts of designing a better, more efficient bar. Guests will be welcomed to the bar with a Rowan’s Creek Cocktail.

    It was high up there on my list. Cheryl Charming told me about it a few months back and I was hoping to get as much info as possible.

    Have a great time.
    Bruce Tomlinson
    http://www.WorldWideDrinks.com

  2. Jay HepburnNo Gravatar says:

    Between meeting so many fellow bloggers and cocktail illuminati, all the sessions, the spirited dinner, and just being in New Orleans, I’m not sure what to be excited about the most! It is a little daunting knowing that a lot of people have been going to this for years and already know each other, and I’m just some English guy with a blog, so I’m glad to hear everyone is welcoming (though I expected no less). Look forward to seeing you in New Orleans Rick!

  3. Stevi DeterNo Gravatar says:

    I’m not making it this year. I’ve been trying to salve the wound by drinking Vieux Carre and Cocktails a la Lousiane. Time to hunt up another bottle of rye!

  4. dietschNo Gravatar says:

    I think I’m most excited about simply making it out alive.

  5. Felicia unfortunately does not have it in her blogging budget to fly her bootie to New Orleans this year for the festivities. Maybe someone will host a blogger cocktail hour in the Northeast sometime soon? -F.

  6. SamanthaNo Gravatar says:

    It’s hard to say what event I’m most excited for-Molecular Mixology, Spirited Dinner at the Palace Cafe, Sensory Perception, The Spirit Awards…the list goes on. Mostly, I’m just looking forward to sharing a few (or a hundred) drinks with the bloggers I read daily. Hope to see you there, Rick!

  7. BoozemonkeyNo Gravatar says:

    Sadly I am in the camp of can’t afford to make it. A couple of my friends are going (jerks!) and I’m hoping to ease my pain by living vicariously through them via tele-shots, and scandalous photographic evidence — Of what, I can only imagine.

  8. jimmyNo Gravatar says:

    I’m not there….. boooo hoooo….
    Keep the posts coming please.

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About

Kaiser Penguin is a cocktail blog featuring original recipes, homemade ingredients, classic cocktails, and tiki drinks.

Why on Earth did you name your blog “Kaiser Penguin?”

It is a well-known fact that penguins are members of high society and enjoy fine cocktails. Our very own kaiser penguin would like me to mention that he also enjoys various treats from the sea.

Contact: rick@kaiserpenguin.com