Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s premier cocktail festival, returns to New Orleans July 23-28 with a week of more than 300 unique sessions and panels, Beyond the Bar activations, Days of Service, Meet the Distillers, New Orleans Cocktail Tours, the annual Spirited Awards, the first-ever Catalyst Luncheon, the popular Brand-Hosted Events and more. In the meantime, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has named its Cocktail Apprentice Program Class of 2023 (a renowned group of up-and-coming bartenders from around the world). These apprentices, including Zen Castro of NOLA’s Espiritu Mezcaleria, will have the opportunity to learn alongside some of the world’s most respected bartenders and cocktail experts during this year’s festival.
TOTCF also has announced its regional top 10 nominees for the 17th annual Spirited Awards, which celebrates global excellence in the cocktail industry. Broken down by region, top 10 nominees for the U.S. Central category include: Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (Best U.S. Bar Team); Manolito (Best U.S. Cocktail Bar); Bar Marilou at the Maison de la Luz, Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans, Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel, loa at the International House and The Elysian Bar at the Hotel Peter and Paul (Best U.S. Hotel Bar); Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, Bakery Bar, Lengua Madre, Margot’s and Mister Mao (Best U.S. Restaurant Bar); and Dovetail Bar at the Schaeffer Hotel (Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar). The Spirited Awards winners will be celebrated July 27 at the Fillmore New Orleans. TOTC attendees can choose from a variety of daily and weekly ticket passes, discounted bartender passes, event tickets and complimentary tickets to TOTC’s philanthropic- and wellness-focused events, including Beyond the Bar and the Days of Service. talesofthecocktail.org
Best of the Best
Jewel of the South, boasting the exceptional cocktail skills of Chris Hannah, has been named No. 5 on the North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list. The bar and restaurant also was named The Best Bar in South USA 2023, sponsored by Torres Brandy. Be sure to try the French 75 or the Jewel Sazerac. Meanwhile, Neal Bodenheimer’s Cure took No. 36 on list. Popular cocktails here include the Barrel-Rested Corpse Reviver #2 and the Chilcano. 1026 St. Louis St., 504-265-8816, jewelnola.com; 4905 Freret St., 504-302-2357, curenola.com
Summer Delights
Bakery Bar—a locals’ favorite spot for cocktails, weekday brunch and Latin American-meets-Creole cuisine—has launched Club BB: Summer Classics Remix. The weekly cocktail program is available all day on Thursdays through Aug. 24 and features a lighter, tropical twist on several of New Orleans’ famed classic cocktails. The specialty cocktail menu includes drinks like the Cafe Carib (a tropical remix of the classic Café Brûlot); the Chillin Mantis (a frozen twist on a Grasshopper); the Detonator (a smoothed-out version of the Hand Grenade); and the Rum Crispy (a tiki-inspired Brandy Crusta). 1179 Annunciation St., 504-210-8519, bakery.bar
Summer Sips
Commander’s Palace has once again partnered with Swirl Wine Bar & Market for the second annual CP Sips event, which kicked off June 28. The next two events (5:30-7 p.m. each night) are scheduled for July 26 (California Dreaming, showcasing wines from the Sunshine State) and Aug. 30 (Coast to Coast, highlighting wines from across the Mediterranean). The wine tasting series, which brings together local wine professionals to lead an exploration of premier wine brands from around the world, includes an educational look into a curated selection of more than 40 wines, plus gourmet cheeses, seafood and other bites from Executive Chef Meg Bickford and the restaurant’s culinary team. Representatives from the Swirl Wine Bar team will be onsite to facilitate delivery orders of any wines included in the tasting. Each event also will feature a Commander’s cocktail mixer station highlighting spirits from local distiller Porchjam Distillery. 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221, commanderspalace.com
Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s premier cocktail festival, returns to New Orleans July 23-28 with a week of more than 300 unique sessions and panels, Beyond the Bar activations, Days of Service, Meet the Distillers, New Orleans Cocktail Tours, the annual Spirited Awards, the first-ever Catalyst Luncheon, the popular Brand-Hosted Events and more. In the meantime, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has named its Cocktail Apprentice Program Class of 2023 (a renowned group of up-and-coming bartenders from around the world). These apprentices, including Zen Castro of NOLA’s Espiritu Mezcaleria, will have the opportunity to learn alongside some of the world’s most respected bartenders and cocktail experts during this year’s festival.
TOTCF also has announced its regional top 10 nominees for the 17th annual Spirited Awards, which celebrates global excellence in the cocktail industry. Broken down by region, top 10 nominees for the U.S. Central category include: Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (Best U.S. Bar Team); Manolito (Best U.S. Cocktail Bar); Bar Marilou at the Maison de la Luz, Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans, Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel, loa at the International House and The Elysian Bar at the Hotel Peter and Paul (Best U.S. Hotel Bar); Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, Bakery Bar, Lengua Madre, Margot’s and Mister Mao (Best U.S. Restaurant Bar); and Dovetail Bar at the Schaeffer Hotel (Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar). The Spirited Awards winners will be celebrated July 27 at the Fillmore New Orleans. TOTC attendees can choose from a variety of daily and weekly ticket passes, discounted bartender passes, event tickets and complimentary tickets to TOTC’s philanthropic- and wellness-focused events, including Beyond the Bar and the Days of Service. 
Best of the Best
Jewel of the South, boasting the exceptional cocktail skills of Chris Hannah, has been named No. 5 on the North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list. The bar and restaurant also was named The Best Bar in South USA 2023, sponsored by Torres Brandy. Be sure to try the French 75 or the Jewel Sazerac. Meanwhile, Neal Bodenheimer’s Cure took No. 36 on list. Popular cocktails here include the Barrel-Rested Corpse Reviver #2 and the Chilcano. 1026 St. Louis St., 504-265-8816, jewelnola.com; 4905 Freret St., 504-302-2357, 
Summer Sips
Commander’s Palace has once again partnered with Swirl Wine Bar & Market for the second annual CP Sips event, which kicked off June 28. The next two events (5:30-7 p.m. each night) are scheduled for July 26 (California Dreaming, showcasing wines from the Sunshine State) and Aug. 30 (Coast to Coast, highlighting wines from across the Mediterranean). The wine tasting series, which brings together local wine professionals to lead an exploration of premier wine brands from around the world, includes an educational look into a curated selection of more than 40 wines, plus gourmet cheeses, seafood and other bites from Executive Chef Meg Bickford and the restaurant’s culinary team. Representatives from the Swirl Wine Bar team will be onsite to facilitate delivery orders of any wines included in the tasting. Each event also will feature a Commander’s cocktail mixer station highlighting spirits from local distiller Porchjam Distillery. 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221,