Pernod Ricard USA held a dominant presence at the annual Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans from July 20-24, 2011. While Tales of the Cocktail is a “must-attend” for anyone in the spirits business, the true target is the bartender.
The official kick-off event, hosted by Pernod Ricard USA and Beefeater Gin, welcomed more than 500 VIP guests to a regal Black & White Masquerade Ball. Beefeater Gin Master Distiller Desmond Payne hosted guests at a beautiful historic building that once served as New Orleans’ city hall. During the event, internationally renowned bartenders Dan Warner, Audrey Saunders, Nick Van Tiel, Dre Masso and Erick Castro, as well as Pernod Ricard’s bartending stars Chris Patino, Lauren Klauer and Sarah Sercia served beautiful cocktails. Guests enjoyed their drinks as they listed to a modern string quartet and watched a unique Bubble Ballerina grace the halls.
Pernod Ricard USA also hosted an unprecedented number of guests at the 5th annual Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards as more than 900 guests showed up. Through its annual Spirited Awards, Tales of the Cocktail recognized those individuals and establishments that have shown an outstanding talent for advancing the craft of the cocktail. A 1920s themed selection of Pernod Ricard portfolio cocktails were crafted by expert bartenders as nominees waited to hear if their name was called. Beefeater’s own Dan Warner took home the award for Best International Brand Ambassador.
The four day cocktail extravaganza concluded with the traditional Plymouth Bartenders’ Breakfast, and featured a “royal” wedding. Audrey Saunders of Pegu Club and cocktail expert Robert Hess tied the knot in a ceremony officiated by Desmond Payne of Beefeater and Sean Harrison of Plymouth. The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Board of Trade in the midst of Simon Ford’s signature 1,000 person cocktail bash—which featured a 1970s theme. Guests chose from more than 30 signature Plymouth cocktails crafted by the top of the crop in bartending while listening to the musical stylings of Space Capone and DJ Gunars.
Pernod Ricard USA did several sponsored seminars, as well as spirited events including:
• Ricard Petanque Bartender Tournament
• Absolut Bloody Mary Bar
• Kahlua Coffee Bar
• Pernod Absinthe Green Hour
• Absolut SF Tasting Room
• Distiller-led Irish whiskey tasting
• Sandeman Port Cocktail Competition
