Welcome to Drinking the World; my thoughts on fine libations, special spirits, and fabulous cocktails. My name is Jonathan M. Forester and I'm a food & beverage writer / consultant. Formerly partner in Winterport Winery and Penobscot Bay Brewery from 2007-2009. I'm also in the process of starting up an artisanal, micro-batch distillery specializing in super premium spirits. These will include bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskey, peach, pear, and apple brandy, a variety of aged rum, and gin. The style will be American from the Gilded Age, the last 25 years of the 19th century.
I am going to add to this site as quickly as I can, but I am a bit pressed for time. I have around 200+ pieces already written to post here, as well as hundreds of cocktail recipes. As time permits I will add them to the archives.
If the post is dated prior to December 13, 2008, it was previously published at Slashfood.com / AOL.com.
XML FeedsCategory: Recipes from Tales of the Cocktail 2009
Spirited Dinners during Tales of the Cocktail 2009
By Jonathan M. Forester on Jul 5, 2009 | In Cocktail Revolution, Cocktail Hour (Recipes), Recipes from Tales of the Cocktail 2009, Tales of the Cocktail 2009, Food | Send feedback »
Every year during Tales of the Cocktail there are "Spirited Dinners." These are special events at dozens of restaurants around New Orleans, held on the Thursday night of Tales, from 8-11pm. Each restaurant prepares a special multi-course, pre-fix dinner and one or more guest mixologists create cocktails paired with each course. The menus are fantastic, and the cocktails even more so. Last year I had a wonderful time at the dinner. My friend Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru, created the drinks. He asked me to arrive early and I sat at the bar chatting while he finished the prep work. Brian Rea was also there and I had a chance to chat with him for a half hour as well. Then I was invited to join Jonathan's family at their table, which was very nice.
This year I am going to be going to Bayona Restaurant where my friend Junior Merino, The Liquid Chef, will be making some of his fantastic, Latin influenced, cocktail creations. Not only that, but he will be joined by David Suro-Pinera, restaurateur, tequila aficionado, and owner of Siembra Azul - a small batch, artisinally crafted super-premium tequila and Ron Cooper founder of Del Maguey, Single Village Mezcal. I am sure that means that mezcal and tequila will be featured in the cocktails. I can hardly wait!
This year the restaurants participating in the spirited dinners has grown to 25. Click to see all the restaurants involved.
