A Shot of History Mixed With Inspiration at Tales

It's July in New Orleans, which means two things: scorching temperatures and the hottest event in the spirits world — Tales of the Cocktail! On this week's show, we look at the annual summertime conference that brings the international cocktail scene to the Crescent City.

We begin with Maggie Campbell, head distiller at Privateer Rum, a historic rum company in a seaside New England town. A kind of privateer in her own right, Maggie describes how she's working to make her industry more inclusive.

Then, New York Times cocktail writer Robert Simonson discusses the role New Orleans has played in the decline and revival of craft cocktails. He also tell us about his acclaimed book, The Old-Fashioned, which is devoted exclusively to the lore and legacy of an iconic drink.

After meeting an outside observer of the cocktail industry, we now turn to an industry insider — a brand ambassador. Charlotte Voisey of William Grant & Sons fills us in on the globe-trotting life of a brand ambassador.

Finally, we belly up to the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone, the epicenter of Tales activities every year. Marvin Allen has tended bar at the Carousel Bar for over 15 years. In that time he’s watched the American cocktail enter the mainstream. Marvin has advice about mixing drinks and shares some stories about the lively characters of the French Quarter.