For the past 20 years, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has invited the global drinks industry to join us in New Orleans to celebrate, learn, and connect. In its 21st year, what started as a walking tour of the historic French Quarter of New Orleans – Tales of the Cocktail – has embraced the Foundation’s theme, VITALIZE. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has chosen the theme VITALIZE to encapsulate the hospitality community’s vibrancy and adaptability, and its unmatched kinetic energy that brings so much life to our shared experience.
It is this kinetic energy that makes Tales special, and it couldn’t happen without the embrace of drinks industry professionals from around the world convening in one, special, place – New Orleans. To thank you for joining us in the place that we are honored to call home – TOTCF hosts special programming to welcome you and let you get to know us a little better.
Toast to Tales
Celebrate 21 years of Tales of the Cocktail with a toast from the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Board of Directors. Raise a glass as we reunite and celebrate the progress of the global drinks industry at the courtyard located on the third floor of the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Cheers to a week filled with community, education, tastings, and events – as well as hear special TOTCF announcements for 2024!
Bookstore and Bitters powered by Octavia Books
This market is open all week for you to browse and shop one of the most exhaustive collections of cocktail books including the newest titles and old favorites, as well as a wide selection of bitters. Stop by throughout the week for our special book signings where the world’s best cocktail writers will be on hand to talk about their latest works and sign a copy for you to take home. Bitter Makers will also be on hand to discuss and sample their new and classic products. Join us to find a little inspiration all week long.
TOTC2023 Bookstore and Bitters Partners
Bitter and Barrel, Bittered Sling, The Bitter Truth/Worldwide Libations, Chef Rubber, El Guapo Bitters, Honest John Bitters, Liquid Alchemist, and Pink House Academy
New Orleans Cocktail Tours
What started as an annual walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars has become the world’s premier cocktail festival.
TOTCF has collaborated with Wayne Curtis to create a series of educational New Orleans Cocktail Tours. Wayne Curtis offers a wealth of knowledge and keen insight into New Orleans history and cocktail scene and is the author of And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails and has written frequently about spirits for The Atlantic, Imbibe Magazine, Punch, The Daily Beast, and Garden & Gun. Wayne has enlisted special guests for these revitalized New Orleans Cocktail Tour experiences.
The 2023 New Orleans Cocktail Tour lineup includes:
- New Orleans Cocktail Tour: Hunting Down the Sazerac guided by Rihannon Enlil
- New Orleans Cocktail Tour: Absinthe Tour guided by Rihannon Enlil
- New Orleans Cocktail Tour: Bourbon Street and How It Got That Way guided by Wayne Curtis
- New Orleans Cocktail Tour: Brandy/Bourbon/Bitters/Ice guided by Beth Kennedy
- New Orleans Cocktail Tour: The Big Gay Bar Tour guided by Barrett Delong
- New Orleans Cocktail Tour: How the Drive-Thru Daiquiri Happened guided by David Irvin
Official New Orleans Cocktail Tour Media Partner – The Times-Picayune
Tales Catalyst Luncheon
Dame Hall of Fame celebrates its name change, hosting the Tales Catalyst Luncheon – this event will honor two individuals selected to speak at the Catalyst Luncheon on Friday, July 28th. The 2023 Tales Catalyst Luncheon will recognize this year’s Tales Catalysts with a cocktail and a celebratory reception.
The Tales Catalyst Luncheon aims to honor those who are working for the accessibility and intersectionality of the drinks industry. This year, we are excited to welcome the newest individuals to this committee that highlight marginalized groups within the industry and shine a spotlight on leaders actively making changes in their communities.
TOTC2023 Tales Catalyst Luncheon Partners
21Seeds Infused Tequila, Diageo Bar Academy, Don Q Rum, House of Delola, Johnnie Walker, and Laird & Company
Official Catalyst Luncheon Media Partner – Beverage Media Group and Seven Fifty Daily
Meet the Distillers
TOTCF’s Meet the Distillers event features distillers, owners, blenders, founders, and makers of over 30 brands — all in one place. Open to trade and consumers, this Friday event closes TOTC2023’s host hotel events by taking over the entire meeting room space on the first floor of the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Attendees can expect tastings, education, and an opportunity to interact with their favorite products and new brands yet to be discovered!
TOTC Meet the Distillers attendees are also invited to attend the awards ceremony of New Orleans Spirits Competitions at Friday’s Meet the Distillers and toast the winners of this year’s Best Of prizes.
TOTC2023 Meet the Distillers Partners
Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits, Castle & Key Distillery, Chef Rubber, CHOYA Umeshu USA, Crescent 9 Seltzer, Cut Above Spirits, Fee Brothers, Forbidden Bourbon, Holladay Distillery, Island Getaway Rum, Keeper’s Heart, Maison Ferrand USA, Mockly, National Rums of Jamaica, NEFT Vodka, Saint Benevolence, Spiribam, Stella, vIVe Hydration Therapy, Wilderness Trail Distillery, Wilderton Non-Alcoholic Botanical Spirits, Wolfpeach VT, Wonderbird Spirits, and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Official Meet the Distillers Media Partner – Imbibe
Cocktail Apprentice Program 2023 Class
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Cocktail Apprentice Program® (CAP) is an exclusive year-long mentorship program for up-and-coming bartenders around the world to learn alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.
TOTCF continues to support the growing network of past apprentices by offering exclusive opportunities for scholarships and financial aid to further support their growth within the industry.
We are excited to welcome the 2023 class made up of 40 new or first-time CAPs and 31 returning Apprentices.
2023 CAP Annual Sponsors will have the opportunity to provide the CAP Class of 2023 with a meal, host a presentation with the CAPs to present on their product or a brand priority, as well as have the option to provide travel opportunities to CAPs any time during the annual term of June 2023 to June 2024.
2023 CAP Partners
Beam Suntory, Campari, Courvoisier, Crown Royal, House of Suntory, Johnnie Walker, Jose Cuervo, Pernod Ricard USA, and Samson & Surrey
Official Cocktail Apprentice Program Media Partner– VinePair
The Spirited Awards® are composed of industry accolades, both U.S. and International, writing and media awards, and a few highly coveted, overall awards that transcend regionality including World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu. It is THE place you want to be to celebrate the industry at Tales of the Cocktail.
Words cannot express the glitz and glam of the awards ceremony. Kicking off the event is a special guest-hosted Red Carpet where nominees and industry legends are interviewed before heading to their seats to see who will walk home with the crystal charger award. There will be a special VIP viewing parting at this year’s event, allowing access to the event and brand bars just steps away from all the magic.
The 17th annual Spirited Awards ceremony will take place at The Fillmore New Orleans on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
2023 Spirited Awards Partners
Absolut Vodka, Amaro Montenegro, Bacardi USA, Diageo Bar Academy, Grey Goose, Gruppo Montenegro, Johnnie Walker, Libbey, Lyre’s Spirit Co, Patron Tequila, Pernod Ricard USA, Perrier, Select Aperitivo, The Busker, and William Grant & Sons
Official Spirited Awards Media Partner – Forbes
