- LVMH's Nowness.com and photographer Todd Selby look inside the molecular mixology lab of London's Tony Conigliaro, 2009 Tales of the Cocktail International Bartender of the Year, to see how rare ingredients are put through centrifuges and distillers to make wild concoctions.
- Tales of the Cocktail has announced its annual cocktail competition, and is asking bartenders to put a twist on a New Orleans classic and one of my personal favorites, the Ramos Gin Fizz. The winner receives $1,250, and their recipe will be named the “official cocktail” of Tales 2011. Entries must be received by February 21.
- Tales also recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships to former cocktail apprentices, giving the past volunteers an opportunity to pursue projects and education. Winners include Nick Jarrett and Brad Farran of Clover Club, who will use $5,000 to create a green, zero-impact pop-up bar, with plans to test it out at Burning Man 2012. New York's Don Lee also won $5,000 to study and develop a universal scientific language to describe the flavor profiles of every major spirit category and basic cocktail family.
- Valentine's Day is coming up, looking to mix and mingle? The Summit Bar's got you covered with a nightlong drink special featuring natural elixir- and aphrodisiac-infused His and Her punches. "His" will feature Korean ginseng (revitalizes the body), chipotle chili, tequila, fresh lime and a misted of house made pheromone. "Hers" will feature Damiana (Central American plant used for arousal), Russian vodka, Vietnamese cinnamon and pineapple vanilla bean.
