On Monday, we learned that the Manhattan Cocktail Classic isn't just one big cocktail party. It's also an educational convention offering a wealth of industry-specific information to the curious. This lesson came in Perrier's panel discussion called "What's Shaken': Cocktail Trends from the Source." Hosted by friend of the program, Lindsey Johnson, the panel was composed of industry heavy hitters Tony Conigliaro (69 Colebrook Row), Toby Cecchini (spirits columnist for the New York Times) and Karin Stanley (Little Branch). During the discussion, each panelist expounded on where bartending and cocktails have come from, where they are now and where they're...

On Sunday night 200 top bartenders descended upon the Brooklyn-based New York Distilling Company to celebrate Count Camillo Negroni's birthday. The Italian Count is credited with creating his eponymous drink in the early 1900s, so to honor his contribution to cocktails, attendees paired Negronis with their finest top hats and mustaches. DJ Questlove provided the music, and food trucks provided the food. Cocktails included classic and barrel-aged Negronis as well as carbonated Negronis and the bourbon-based Boulvardier. For the impatient, Negronis were also on tap. Here's a look at the Campari-fueled event. Photos by Gabi Porter and Belathee Photography Also see: - MCC: The Gala -...

Day two of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic started at the Andaz Hotel, where brands staked out conference rooms, lounges, penthouse suites and tight corners to display their wares. The second floor was buzzing with educational seminars and tasting rooms from the likes of Haus Alpenz, Ron Diplomatico and Molinari, who conducted a blind Sambuca tasting. But the star of the show was Angostura Bitters, who held an elaborate cooking demonstration -- and provided food. In the second floor kitchen, chefs created a variety of Angostura-fueled dishes, including breakfast biscuits, mini burgers, mac and cheese bites, glazed nuts and even ice cream....

On Friday night the Manhattan Cocktail Classic kicked off with the opening Gala at the New York Public Library. As the glitziest and booziest of all MCC events, the Gala is the hottest ticket in town -- apparently this year's party sold out in about 10 minutes. Of course, all good parties have a pre-party, and this was no exception. So prior to sipping cocktails in the library, we sampled some beverages at the Madarine Napoleon popup bar inside the Andaz Hotel. Upon entering the Gala, attendees were treated to a huge William Grant and Sons bar, with Charlotte Voisey and...

Tequila Partida is calling all Texas bartenders to create a Partida cocktail that represents the true spirit of Texas and exemplifies the spirit of tequila. Entries are due by May 18th, and the bartenders who submit the best drinks will be asked to compete in person at the Southwest Food Expo, taking place in Dallas on June 25th, 2012. Creators of the three best cocktails will win cash prizes of $1200, $600 and $400, and the winning drink will be featured on the Partida website. This should be a fun challenge. Partida's Reposado Tequila is one of our favorites, and if you’re...

Of all the bourbons we’ve been drinking this past year – for the record, there’s a lot of them – Bulleit bottles might be drained the quickest. For a number of reasons: 1) it’s good; 2) it’s moderately priced; and 3) it’s accessible. For an everyday whiskey, that trio’s hard to beat. Bulleit Bourbon traces its roots back to the 1830s, when founder Augustus Bulleit first produced the whiskey in Kentucky. After his untimely disappearance, production ceased, and the market was Bulleit-less until 1987, when great-great-grandson Tom Bulleit stepped in to revive the family legacy. For many years it was only...

This week marks the second Tales of the Cocktail Texas Tour, which brings a festival preview to cocktail bars in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. This time around we’ll be celebrating with a toast of Herbsaint cocktails and a sneak peak at what’s in store for the 10th annual Tales of the Cocktail occurring in New Orleans this July. Attendees at each event will receive complimentary Tales of the Cocktail Tasting Room wristbands, which are worth their weight in whiskey. You’ll also get a vintage Herbsaint poster to dress up your walls, and you’ll be entered into a drawing...

With the Kentucky Derby falling on May 5th, our collective inbox is filled with a confusing mess of cocktail recipes. We’ve got the requisite mint juleps, of course, plus a handful of tequila cocktails for Cinco de Mayo. Then there are the random vodkas and liqueurs trying to get in on the action, but they're disqualified from this round of contention. We sifted through the clutter, and below we’ve rounded up a few of the best recipes for the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo. That said, should you happen to fashion a delicious tequila julep or bourbon margarita served in a...

Over the past two months, Nolet’s Gin has sent us a trio of packages as part of it’s Cupboard to Cocktail Program. This program encourages bartenders and home enthusiasts to utilize ingredients found in their cabinets, with less reliance on seasonal ingredients that are difficult to source. It was a fun couple months, as we got to experiment with some ingredients that we’ve never used in cocktails, like lavender leaves and banana jam. First up was the Nolet's Silver New Fashioned (pictured), which paired Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin with sour cherry marmalade and Angostura Bitters. It was tart and refreshing,...

One of the biggest product splashes of the past two weeks was the introduction of Captain Morgan Black – a higher proof, bolder take on Captain Morgan’s flagship spiced rum. Spiced rum is a popular market segment, mostly due to its easy-going flavor and mixability – Captain and Coke being a common call at bars. Captain Morgan has enjoyed dominance in this market segment, but has witnessed increased competition from brands like The Kraken and Bacardi Oakheart. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum clocks in at 94.6 proof, well above the 70 proof original. It’s geared toward those who prefer bolder...