Las Vegas Invades Tales of the Cocktail

This past Thursday, thirty or more of Las Vegas’ top mixologists descended upon New Orleans’ annual Tales of the Cocktail® celebration. For three hours, BackBar USA‘s sold-out event Las Vegas Invades Tales of the Cocktail transformed the Masquerade Nightclub inside Harrah’s New Orleans into a rocking showcase of Sin City’s contributions to the cocktail and spirit’s industries. The A History of Drinking team was lucky enough to attend as official media for Tales of the Cocktail.

Led by world renown author and veteran bartender Tony “Modern Mixologist” Abou-Ganim, the Vegas roster included:

Team Absolut Elyx

• Ricardo Murcia – Bellagio Hotel
• Philip Dow – Monte Carlo Hotel
• Roy Ellamar – Bellagio Hotel
• Michael Monnreal – Light Group
• Kristin Schaefer – Absolut

Team Bacardi

• Mariana Mercer – The Cosmopolitan
• Ramon Ordonez – Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill
• Julian Luna - The Cosmopolitan
• Drew Levinson- Wirtz Beverage
• Roger Gillespie – Lavo

Team Bulleit

• Max Solano – Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steak House at Venetian I Palazzo
• Francesco LaFranconi – Southern Wine & Spirits
• Ricky Lyn – China Poblano
• Juyoung Kang – Bvld Cocktail Room

Team Hangar One

• Christopher Hopkins – Wynn I Encore
• Andrew Pollard – Wirtz Beverage
• Kevin Vanegas - Wirtz Beverage
• Heather Toledo – BackBar USA

Team Hennesey

• Craig Schoettler – Aria Resort & Casino
• Michael Vorsanger – Vdara Hotel & Spa
• Nate Hedland - Aria Resort & Casino
• Lilliam Hargrove – Rhum Bar

Team Moet

• Derek Crow – The Cromwell
• Timothy Morris – Carnival Court at Harrah’s Las Vegas
• Michael Przydzial – Central Michel Richard at Caesars Palace
• Vache Manouklan - Carnival Court at Harrah’s Las Vegas
• Allie Offenbach – BackBar USA

Team New Amsterdam

• Tony Abou-Ganim – The Modern Mixologist
• Nectaly Mendoza – Herbs and Rye
• Alenrry Iniguez – Herbs and Rye
• Nicholas Kabetso – Golden Nugget
• Janna Drucker – BackBar USA

Team Sauza 901

• Raul Faria – Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill
• Travis Reel – Japonais at The Mirage
• Bryant Lane – Lavo
• Jair Bustillus – Southern Wine & Spirits
• Patricia Richards – Drai’s Enterprises

During the event, the 1500 attendees rocked out to the tunes of Las Vegas’ DJ Ikon and got a chance to sample craft cocktails featuring the likes of Bulleit Bourbon, Absolut Elyx, Sauza 901, Bacardi, Hennessy, New Amsterdam, and Hangar 1 Vodka. The venue was a mad-house, but luckily, we did have the chance to get a photos of a few cocktails and, more importantly, the recipes!

The Hang O-Ver

recipe by Christopher Hopkins, Wynn Hotel Las Vegas & Team Hangar One

• 1 1/2 oz Hangar One Vodka
• 3/4 oz Strawberry-infused Martini Bianco
• 1/2 oz Aperol
• 1/2 oz Lemon juice
• 3/4 oz Lemon Verbena syrup

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled, ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a verbena spring and atomized grapefruit bitters.

The Jackpot

recipe by Tony Abou-Ganim & Team New Amsterdam

• 1 1/2 oz New Amsterdam Vodka
• 1/2 oz Aperol
• 1/2 oz Solerna Blood Orange Liqueur
• 1 oz Ponthier Blood Orange Puree
• 1 oz Fresh Lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled, ice-filled Collins glass. Garnish with a dried Blood Orange and lemon wheel.

The Palomino Paloma

recipe by Raul Faria of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Team Sauza 901

• 3 oz Carbonated Sauza 901
• 2 oz Fresh Ruby Grapefruit Juice
• 1/2 oz Serrano, lime and sage simple syrup
• 1/2 oz Lime juice

Build in an ice-filled Collins glass. Garnish with sage-salted grapefruit segment and sage sprig.

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