Drinking your way through New Orleans

Since the early 90s, I've been drinking in French Quarter establishments. At the ripe young age of 15 at a place called Lucky Pierre's World Beat, I drank my first Amaretto Sour and danced with a guy named Carlos on the dance floor surrounded by a chain linked fence. Tainted Love was the song and the drink was age appropriate and syrupy sweet to say the least.

Fast forward to the mid 2000s and my philosophy on cocktailing in the Quarter has been enlightened through the Tales of the Cocktail. No more do I order a Cape Cod or a Screwdriver. Now educated light years beyond the Amaretto sour, I opt for creative craft cocktails made with shrubs, fresh juices, liquors and top shelf spirits. And I owe it to the five-day cocktail festival that brings new and familiar spirits to town early mid July for the past nine years.

Tales of the Cocktail started out with a few parties and has evolved into a must attend summer event for enthusiasts, professionals and brands looking to spread the glorious words of piscos, absinthes, apertifs, whiskeys, rums, vodkas, moonshine and more. I've discovered St. Germain, St. Elizabeth's All Spice Dram, Solerno Blood Orange Liquor, Samagon, Cat Daddy, Cool Swan, Tito's and so many other wonderful elixirs.

Seminars, competitions, Spirit Awards, parties and tasting rooms offer something for everyone. I became so obsessed with this summer festival, that in 2010, I was named Ambassador for Tales with the likes of Kevin Brauch (the Thirsty Traveler) and this year, Dickie Brennan and Steve Pettus--that's a pretty elite league.

In the lobby on the second to last day, a young guy offered me Cactus liquor from a tall narrow dark blue glass bottle. It was actually tasty, although his under the radar distribution method warranted a talking too about the need for booking a tasting room in 2012.

If you've never ventured to the Hotel Monteleone, and now, the Royal Sonesta for Tales of the Cocktail, you are missing out. I've made life long friends at Tales, had interesting exploits and learned a lot about the storied New Orleans cocktail culture that's been revived by founders Paul and Ann Tuennerman. It's worth the time, travel, expense and experience to make plans to attend the 2012 festival. Visit www.talesofthecocktail.com or friend them on Facebook for photos from countless events.

Caption: NOCultcha's Drue Deshotels chills in the Tullamore airport lounge while being served 12 year reserve whiskey by a friendly flight attendant.