Kathy Casey is widely regarded as the original bar-chef, and Liquid Kitchen, the beverage consulting agency she founded, stands as a pioneer in bringing the principles of the kitchen into the bar. Liquid Kitchen has something to offer everyone, from exciting recipes for home cocktail enthusiasts to full services for global brands, suppliers and operators.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has an exciting new global cocktail menu, Classics Perfected 2.0 “The Decades.” This new menu features inspired spins on classic cocktails over the decades, to convey the influence of cocktail culture over the past two centuries.
Old has become new again as the six award-winning Tastemaker mixologist team converged this year in NY at the Dead Rabbit and used iconic cocktail recipes for inspiration for the new program cocktails. Layla Linn our Liquid Kitchen beverage director joined the Fairmont team to get all the creative mixing scribed into recipes. We are excited to see this new menu roll out across Fairmont Hotels globally.
Madam Fleur
Nacional Royale
Old Fashioned, Amigos
This year, the Tastemakers team expanded to include beverage experts from six award-winning Fairmont properties, including The Savoy (a Fairmont Managed Hotel in London), Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, Fairmont Austin, Fairmont Singapore and the soon-to-open Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana.
I know and have visited many of these talented Tastemaker’s bars. But recently work travels took me to the cities where I was able to meet Jo Last at The Savoy in London and Bannie Kang at Anti:dote in Singapore. It was great to chat with these wonderful and talented ladies about the industry, their passion for bartending and best of all sipping their delicious cocktails. If your travels take you to any of the Tastemaker’s bars I hope you enjoy the new #Cocktails  as much as I have, and tell them the Liquid Kitchen sent you đ
Exciting news from the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation! Beginning January 1, 2019, the Foundation will be leasing a space  in New Orleans (129 Camp Street in New Orleans, Louisiana) for their new concept “Storyteller x Tales” (verbally read as “Storyteller by Tales”). The space will serve as a versatile event venue, then in the months to follow transition into a full service cocktail bar – aptly named “Tales of the Cocktail Bar.”
Photos by Randy Schmidt.
Storyteller x Tales will be home to an recurring event series to help celebrate the local, national, and international bar communities, as well as a place to gather and connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. The first event in the series will kick-off in February (date to be announced).
Then later in 2019, Tales of the Cocktail Bar will be introduced into the space – honoring New Orleans’ traditions and cocktail classics while simultaneously embracing the bar industry’s evolution.
Looking forward to checking out the space on my next visit to New Orleans! -Kathy
Let us toast National Happy Hour Day this November 12th with a #TokiCapri #Cocktail!
The #TokiCapri combines the old school fun of a âcapri sunâ style drink with adult flavors. I love the balance; Toki lends a light touch of smoke, Aperol with a whisper of bitter, Yuzu and lemon adds an exotic citrus pop and spiced syrup adds a touch of sweet â resulting in a well-balanced cocktail with many delicious layers of flavor.
Served in a bag â itâs fun for single service, or large functionsâŠ.think wedding or parties. The band around the bag is also perfect to customize with a hashtag or special branded message.
Enjoy! â Kathy Casey
#TokiCapri
Makes 1 Drink
1 1/2 oz Suntory Toki Whisky
1/4 oz Aperol
1/4 oz Spiced Ginger Syrup (recipe follows)
1/4 oz Monin Yuzu Puree
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Garnish: mint sprig, orange &
lemon 1/2 wheels, edible flowers
Measure the Toki, Spiced Ginger Syrup, Aperol, yuzu puree and lemon juice into a pint glass. Fill with ice, cap and shake. Pour into clear drink bag and top with additional ice if needed. Drop in the garnish, insert compostable straw and seal bag.
Spiced Ginger Syrup
Makes: About 1 cup
2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1/4 tsp. of ground cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup HOT water
To Make Syrup:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Fine strain. Cool. Refrigerate for up to 30 days.
Airport Lounge Development (ALD) opened a new shared-use lounge in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport earlier this month and Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen was a big part of the opening!
Check out this article from Apex to see what’s next for the company! Here
Now in its 16th year, Tales of the Cocktail gave us so much to celebrate with many fantastic bars, writers and bartenders proudly winning coveted accolades during this year’s Spirited AwardsÂź! Among the many national recipients include two Northwest favorites; Clyde Common, (Portland, OR) for Best American Restaurant Bar and Navy Strength, (Seattle, WA) for Best New American Cocktail Bar.Â
Since its establishment in 2007, the Spirited Awards have grown to become one of the most prestigious honors in the cocktail industry. Winners were selected by a panel of over 140 industry experts including our very own bar chef, Â Kathy Casey, along with top sponsors, like The House of Angostura, Bacardi US, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Peroni, Pernod Ricard USA, and Woodford Reserve to name a few.
Although it is pretty much impossible to hit all the events, lectures, and tastings – here are some of our favorite highlights from #TOTC2018!
Celebrating with Yochen Verbeeck:
2018 Libbey Glassology Ambassador
Courtesy: Libbey
Yochen Verbeeck made his way to Tales of the Cocktail in style this year after being recently named the winner of the Glassology Competition by Libbey. The finals were held on May 28th during the Perfect Serve Bar Show, in Amsterdam.
Yochen Verbeeck is a bartender at Cocktail at Nine in Belgium and describes himself as a perfectionist with a great passion for the cocktail scene.
His inspiration for his award-winning glass design is none other than The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald which encompasses the essence of the roaring 20’s as well as the peak of the Art Deco movement.
Courtesy: Libbey
âI brought my love for art and history in my design. I really wanted to keep it simple and let the glass speak for itself.â –Â Yochen Verbeeck
As the winner, Yochen receives 250 pieces of his glass design and is one of the members of the jury in the next edition of Glassology along with acting as Glassology Ambassador at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail celebration.
Congratulations Yochen and we look forward to seeing your award-winning glass design soon! Check out www.libbey.com for more details.
Piscotarian Project at Calcasieu
Courtesy: Kathy Casey
On Friday, we were transported on a culinary adventure through Peru in the form of Pisco-based Chilcanos and Peruvian cuisine.
Courtesy: Kathy Casey
Master Mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim shared the history of Pisco through the mixing glass of one of Peruâs most popular drinks, the Chilcanos –Â a beverage central to Peruvianâs way of life. Made with Pisco, lime, bitters and ginger beer – it is the highball of your dreams! Easy to make, and even easier to add a signature twist when incorporating your favorite flavors into the Pisco.
Samplings of different Piscos and Grape brandies enlightened even the most seasoned mixologists in the bunch with their complexities.
Photo Credit: Andrew Kist
The hands-on ceviche making (and eating) demo with Chef Carlos Delgado of China Chilcano (Jose Andresâ Peruvian restaurant in DC) was a hit! Chef Delgado’s mastery of raw fish is something to be seen and tasted!
#PiscoIsPeru
Garden of Elyx
Photos: Courtesy Absolut Elyx
Copper was king at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail with Absolut Elyx’s Garden of Elyx! The 3 Day poolside event, featured a copper speckled Martini Lounge, Gnome Garden, The Elyx Salon and plenty of Copper Mermaids, (their newest copper cocktail vessel for collectors) filled with spectacular libations.
Set within the beautiful architecture of Audobon Cottages in New Orleansâ French Quarter, this yearâs Garden of Elyx had guest appearances from world-famous bartenders including Alex Kratena (formerly of Worldâs Best Bar, The Artesian), Monica Berg (Himlok, co-founder of P(our) Symposium), Leo Robitschek (Eleven Madison Park and Nomad), Toby Cecchini (creator of the Cosmopolitan and owner of Long Island Bar), Maxime Belfand (Saxon + Parole), and Gareth Evans (Elyx Global Brand Ambassador).
Among the copper vessel concoctions were the Elyx Coconut cocktail served in the new Copper Mermaid as well as the Elyx Martini, but our favorite drink of the day was the Elyx Pineapple, served in a copper Gnome called Felix! A beautiful combination of Absolut Elyx Vodka, Green Chartreuse, John D Taylor Velvet Falernum, pineapple juice, toasted coconut syrup, lime juice and Angostura Bitters. Other creative cocktails included garden and Eden themes like the Elyx Banana served in a flower pot and the Elyx Apple, garnished with perfect baby apples. Can’t live without a copper coupe? Don’t fret! You can pick up your very own copper vessel at The Elyx Boutique, which donates to Water For People with every purchase.
Tequila Cazadores Presents Bartender Boxing Round 3 – Miami VS. San Francisco Final.
Photo Credit: Mark Tomaras
Bartending can be like any other job, stressful and well, unhealthy at times. The Bartender Boxing Organization is out to change this by promoting health and wellness for bartenders through the sweet science of boxing and raises funds and awareness for local and national charities. Sponsored by Tequila Cazadores, it was Miami vs San Francisco at Tales this year. Catch the full match on the Tequila Cazadores Facebook Page.
But First, A Martini: Plymouth Gin
Photo: Courtesy Plymouth Gin
Plymouth Gin presented attendees with But First, A Martini, where guests were taken on a journey through history, from the classic Marguerite first developed in 1904 to a modern take on the Martinez originally documented in 1884. Plymouth Gin’s Global Brand Ambassador, Sebastian Hamilton-Mudge, introduced reinvented variations of the Martini alongside the classics with flavor profiles ranging from smoky to fruity, dry to citrusy and sweet to savory. The recipes debuted at TOTC will also be featured in an upcoming menu at the Refectory Bar, located at Plymouth Gin’s historic distillery.
The French 75 was the theme of the competition. A classic cocktail whose name attributes to the powerful hit, packed by military artillery in World War I.Â
Add honey and water to a saucepan. Bruise or tear fresh sage leaves to release essence fully and add to pan. Bring all to a boil for 1 minute and then remove from heat. Let honey-sage syrup cool and steep for at least 1 hour, then strain to remove sage leaves and store in a clean bottle for up to 6 weeks.
For more information, please visit www.williamchriswines.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram @WilliamChrisVineyards.
Cheers to another amazing Tales of the Cocktail week and we look forward to 2019! â Kathy Casey
RT @KathyCaseyChef: Now is the perfect time to mix up some holiday cheer at home to keep those spirits bright (and sane!)đ»đ”đžđđ I am honoredâŠ52 days ago