6 Best Bets For Tales Of The Cocktail 2013

If you're serious about mixed drinks and spirits, you need to attend Tales of the Cocktail. The annual festival takes place in New Orleans' French Quarter from July 17 to 21 and features an array of seminars, tastings, dinners, and parties. Here's our guide to the event if you decide to make the trip. Hope to see you in NOLA!

AIRPORT BARS (WEDNESDAY, JULY 17):
Want to drink better when you fly? Buy a ticket for this talk by globe-trotters Jacob Briars and Liquor.com contributor Charlotte Voisey. Plus, you'll go home with a TSA-approved in-flight-cocktail kit.

MODIFIERS: ETERNAL LIFE FOR COCKTAILS (THURSDAY, JULY 18):
Find out why some recipes never seem to disappear from an all-star panel, including award-winning author and Liquor.com advisory board member David Wondrich and talented bartenders Joaquín Simó and Erik Lorincz.

TEQUILA- AN ELEVATED ADVENTURE (THURSDAY, JULY 18):
Join legendary bartender and Liquor.com advisory board Dale DeGroff for this special dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. He'll be fixing Avion Tequila concoctions to go along with dishes from chef Tony Gale.

SPORTING LIFE 3-STORIES, SONGS, & SKETCHES (FRIDAY, JULY 19):
Liquor.com advisory board member Allen Katz hosts this spirited afternoon that showcases a range of entertaining performances by mixological luminaries like Chris McMillian, Lynette Marerro, and Chris Hannah.

THE NEW ORLEANS BARE KNUCKLE BAR FIGHT (FRIDAY, JULY 19):
Watch top establishments from across the United States compete against each other in this test of bartending skill and speed as they bang out classic elixirs as fast they possibly can. Don't worry; it will be a fair fight: Liquor.com advisory board members Simon Ford and Dushan Zaric will help referee the competition.

4TH ANNUAL PIG & PUNCH (SUNDAY, JULY 21):
Stay through Sunday and go to this annual and popular charitable shindig thrown by The Bon Vivants. Buy a T-shirt and get a plate of food and plenty of punch. The best part? Proceeds go to support KIPP New Orleans charter schools.

This story was originally published at Celebrating the Cocktail: 2013.