My Tales of the Cocktail Debrief : Frozen Irish Coffees, Light-Up Ice Cubes and Amazing People
After a cancelled flight, three planes, and a lot of sweat (literal and metaphorical), Damian finally made it to Tales of the Cocktail 2025 in New Orleans — and lived to tell the tale... barely.
In this slightly foggy, totally unfiltered solo episode, he shares his jet-lagged recap of the biggest cocktail event on the planet. From Speed Rack chaos and legendary frozen Irish coffees at Erin Rose to Buckfast cocktails, light-up ice cubes, and back massages courtesy of Campari — it’s all here in glorious, semi-chronological detail.
Expect stories about Team Ireland’s iconic takeover, wild brand parties, heartfelt shoutouts to bar world legends, and a curtain call at Pig & Punch. This one’s a love letter to the industry and the people who make it so damn fun.
🥂 In This Episode:Tales of the Cocktail survival mode: flights, heat, and media credentialsSpeed Rack National Finals: organised chaos for a great causeErin Rose & Killer Po’ Boys: frozen Irish coffees and unofficial Team Ireland HQThe wild world of tastings, seminars, and book signings (Wondrich, Rothbaum, Mandy Naglich & more)Jack Daniels, Run The Jewels, and Julie Reiner’s light-up cocktailsRooftop espresso martinis, Pringle pairings, and back massages with CampariBuckfast cocktails from Panda & SonsA peek at the next full episode: The Irish House takeover at Tales (yes, it was that good)Cameos and legends spotted: Erick Castro, Kaitlyn Stewart, Danil Nevsky, Julio Bermejo, Hidetsugu Ueno, Dre Masso, Ian Burrell, Sother Teague, Join Jules & Uncle Brad, Cocktails by Hawk, and morePig & Punch: a BBQ send-off for the agesThe Bacchanal Wine wind-down and Frenchmen Street finale
💬 Quotes to Sip On:“Tales isn’t just an event — it’s the Super Bowl of the bar world. The Oscars. The Met Gala with Negronis.”“If in doubt… head to the Erin Rose.”
🎙️ Mentioned in This Episode:Tales of the CocktailSpeed RackMandy Naglich – How to TasteDavid Wondrich & Noah Rothbaum – Oxford Companion to Spirits & CocktailsBart Mee & Val Girotto – The Bubble BookJulie Reiner, Erick Castro, Kaitlyn Stewart, Danil Nevsky, Julio Bermejo, Ueno-san, Dre Masso, Ian Burrell, Sother Teague, Join Jules, Uncle Brad, Cocktails by Hawk, Lucas Assis
📲 Follow Along:Instagram: @welovecocktails
TikTok: @welovecocktailsx
Website: www.thecocktailacademy.com
Email: sayhello@thecocktailacademy.com
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The Cocktail Academy
Introducing "The Cocktail Academy" with your host Damian Cole, a seasoned veteran of the hospitality industry. Join Damian and his expert guests on a spirited journey through the world of cocktails, spirits, and all things booze-related.
Whether you're a home cocktail enthusiast or aspiring bartender, this podcast is your go-to source for practical tips and insider knowledge, served straight up with no nonsense. From mastering classic cocktail recipes to exploring the latest trends in mixology, "The Cocktail Academy" has everything you need to shake, stir, and sip like a pro. Tune in for candid conversations, industry insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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