BAT Recap: Highlights from the Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Bartenders, media, and cocktail enthusiasts alike all seem to have finally recovered from the five-day event known as the Manhattan Cocktail Classic and are reliving their (albeit, blurred) memories on blogs and in traditional media.

I had the opportunity to pop into Manhattan for the Classic and for the chance to meet with our clients in Holland from Mandarine Napoleon. And for us, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic was both educational and celebratory in nature.

For the educational:
The final afternoon of the event found myself and the gentlemen of Mandarine Napoleon at The Big Orange seminar, an inside look at curaçao and cocktails hosted by BAR partners David Wondrich and Steven Olson.

Here’s the setup of goodies we got to taste:

It was really fascinating to do a side-by-side tasting of the different curaçaos, triple secs, and orange liqueurs and pick up their different characteristics. It was my first opportunity to sip on curaçao of the Curacao island itself and, I must say, it was my favorite from the afternoon. The Creole Shurb – not so much. It was too hot and I kept tasting rum when I had a sample. We got to sample a few cocktails as well (it just wouldn’t be the MCC without that component!). Mixologists stirred up a White Lady (gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup), along with a classic Tequila Daisy – better known as the Margarita.

And for the fun:
Monday evening found myself, Steve, the Mandarine execs, Simon Difford, and Simon’s lovely girlfriend Diana eating dinner and imbibing at Keen’s Chophouse. Great conversation carried itself on to Pegu Club (I had the bar’s signature cocktail – fab!), followed by an appearance at PDT (I had the Shiso Delicious, another delight with gin). But aren't stories usually told in pictures, anyways? Here's a few to our delight.

Cheers!

The Pegu Club cocktail at - where else? - Pegu Club

Kenta Goto of Pegu Club (center) with Diana and Simon

Simon (left) shows off his personal key!!! to PDT, accompanied by Rotterdam's Barrelproof bartender, Arno van Eijmeren.

I got to wield the power of the PDT key, if only for a few brief moments.

Simon and Steve sip cocktails at PDT.