Enjoy food and cocktail pairing at Tales of the Cocktail 2023!

Enjoy food and cocktail pairings at Tales of the Cocktail 2023!

By Marie-France and Nathalie Baylaucq 10.07.2023

This year Spirits Hunters is the Official Spirited Dining and Drinking Media Partner for Tales of the Cocktail® 2023!

We are excited to guide you through some picks for an unforgettable food and cocktail pairing experience at Tales of the Cocktail® 2023. Spirited Dining and Drinking events are open to the public and occur across various New Orleans bars and restaurants, highlighting local talent, chefs, and guest bartenders.

Food pairings present a fun challenge for bartenders and chefs, offering interesting and accessible ways for guests to explore and experience new flavors, both in terms of cocktails and spirits as well as culinary delights.

The Spirited Dining and Drinking programming features multiple events, showcasing brands through unforgettable food and drink experiences.

You can learn about every type of event here.

tales of the cocktail spirited dining and drinking - filipino mashup

Photo courtesy The Cocktail Guru

Tales of the Cocktail 2023 – Spirited Dining and Drinking Picks

We begin with the Filipino x Flamenco Mash-Up food and cocktail pairing, a Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Dinner put together by Chef Cristina Quackenbush and Cocktail Guru’s Jonathan Pogash, where you will be welcomed with an Aperitivo cocktail while mingling at the bar and then proceed to indulge in four courses, each paired with a specialty cocktail.

We asked chef Cristina Quackenbush, chef and owner of Milkfish restaurant which focuses on Philippine cuisine fusion with southern flavors, about this exquisite food pairing experience!

Photo courtesy The Cocktail Guru

Spirits Hunters: What is going to happen during your event?

Cristina Quackenbush: As the chef and owner of Milkfish, I will be presenting a four-course meal to complement Jonathan’s cocktails.

Spirits Hunters: Which are the food pairings?

Cristina Quackenbush: We will be serving Kinilaw- Filipino ceviche with gulf fish and shrimp marinated in vinegar, calamansi, and coconut milk, with green mango, ginger, sweet peppers, Thai chili, and cilantro.

Kinilaw- Filipino ceviche - cristina quakenbush milkfish

Photo courtesy The Cocktail Guru

Lechon Kewali w/ Bicol sauce- crispy pork belly bites draped with fermented shrimp and coconut sauce and pickled papaya

Ginataan Milkfish- Milkfish filet cooked in ginger coconut curry over brown buttered garlic rice and sautéed red cabbage.

Ube Flan cake – Ube chiffon cake with flan topping.

Description and menu Filipino x Flamenco Mash-Up food and cocktail pairing

Join the team behind The Cocktail Guru and Chef Cristina Quackenbush of Milkfish for a food and cocktail pairing spirited dinner like no other.

You will savor Chef Cristina’s Filipino food with refreshing cocktails using some of the best Spanish spirits from the Gonzalez Byass portfolio. Did we mention Flamenco? YES! Enjoy some entertainment while you dine. Perhaps you’ll even be so inclined as to get up and show us your moves (no pressure, though).

Photo courtesy The Cocktail Guru

7 pm – Aperitivo, Music, and Dancing

Photo courtesy The Cocktail Guru

WELCOME COCKTAIL: ENTRADA

La Copa Extra Seco Vermouth, Bitters, Watermelon, Lemon, Sparkling Wine, Thyme.

7:30 pm – Dinner

COURSE 1: Gulf Kinilaw- gulf shrimp and fish marinated in ginger, vinegar, chili’s, green mango, sweet peppers and coconut milk. Served with plantain chips.

COCKTAIL PAIRING: LLAMADA. The London No. 1 Sherry Cask Gin, Pineapple, Lime, House-made Hot Honey, Torched Cinnamon.

COURSE 2: Lechon Kewali w/ Bicol sauce- crispy pork belly bites draped with fermented shrimp and coconut sauce and pickled papaya.

COCKTAIL PAIRING: DUENDE. Nomad Outland Whisky, Cucumber Sage Shrub, Bitters, Candied Sage.

COURSE 3: Ginataan Milkfish- Milkfish filet cooked in ginger coconut curry over brown buttered garlic rice and sautéed red cabbage.

COCKTAIL PAIRING: BULERIAS. Gonzalez Byass “Alfonso” Oloroso Sherry, Calamansi lime, Macadamia orgeat, Banana Foam.

COURSE 4: Ube Flan cake- Ube chiffon cake with flan topping.

COCKTAIL PAIRING: Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva Brandh, Gonzalez Byass “Nectar” Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Mandarin-Tangerine, Egg Yolk, Freshly Grated Nutmeg, Vanilla Sparkle Dust.

Photo courtesy The Cocktail Guru

When and where?

The Filipino x Flamenco Mash-Up cocktail and food pairing will take place Thursday, July 27th from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM at the International House Hotel, 221 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130. Tickets may be purchased here.